Page 126 - SOM Summer 2017
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chow | in the biz
A ROGUE VALLEY LEGACY
A glimpse of early Southern Oregon days through Hillcrest Orchards
Pamela Gibson Mikota Photography
illcrest Orchard is one of the oldest continuously producing fruit and lumber “boom.” These two major industries were responsi-
groves in the region and a preserved example of life in the ble for the overall development of the area. With the completion of
Hearly 1900’s. Framed by the rolling slopes of Roxy Ann Peak, the railroad connecting California to Oregon, the local paper in 1910
the Hillcrest home stands proudly with all its imperfections as a testa- announced that, “New residents are arriving in such numbers that there
ment to time. This elegant old estate holds a reverence to the history of are not enough accommodations.” It was during this time in 1908 that
Southern Oregon and the residents beholden to it. Reginald and Maude Parsons of Seattle, Washington acquired Hillcrest
Orchard.
From 1902 to 1915, Southern Oregon experienced its first surge
in economic growth as people migrated to the Rogue Valley for the After purchasing Hillcrest, the land was cultivated with the use of
124 www.southernoregonmagazine.com | summer 2017
