Page 61 - SOUTHERN OREGON MAGAZINE SPRING 2022

DOWNTOWN ROSEBURG

A Lot Going On
These Days

brittany arnold
jonathan cummmings

owntown Roseburg hosted large retail department stores
and presidents once upon a time. Roseburg drew people in
quickly for its ideal climate and expansive resources such
Das timber, gold, farmland, and wildlife. Visitors and settlers
poured in off the new railroad line and then the central Interstate. The
economy surged as the town took on nicknames such as the “Timber
Capital of the Nation” and the “Gateway to Crater Lake.”

On August 7, 1959, the Gerretsen Building Supply Company caught
fire in downtown Roseburg. Earlier in the evening a Pacific Powder
Company truck with two tons of dynamite and four-and-a-half tons of
blasting agent nitro-carbo-nitrate was parked in front of the building,
and was not noticed. The truck exploded, destroying buildings in an
eight-block radius and severely damaging 30 more blocks. A total of 14
people died in what is known as the Roseburg Blast.

Throughout the following decades, Roseburg has had to crawl out
of the ashes and get back on its feet – not only rebuilding physically,
but economically as well. Like many other Oregon timber towns,
Roseburg has shifted some of its focus. Though still a leader in the tim-
ber industry, the growth in the wine and tourism industry has played
an impactful role. Locals have witnessed a slow and steady climb of
historic buildings being brought back to life, new businesses moving
in and most importantly, a collective enthusiasm and determination to
thrive within the community.

Downtown Roseburg is now becoming unique on its own – dressed
in its small-town charm and rich history, while at the same time cul-
tivating a youthful and creative personality. Spring and summertime
beckon sidewalk strollers to sit down for some acoustic tunes and cold
craft brews, taste local and international wines, experience genuine
farm-to-table flavors, or browse fun shops.

From boutique to music venue to pizza joint, downtown Roseburg isn’t
just filling empty space; it is becoming a hub for distinctively unique
small businesses with a heartbeat for collaborating and staying local. A
majority of the restaurants are utilizing fresh, local ingredients or other
local products and serving local beverages, while many of the stores are
bringing in products from local artisans and vendors.

Here are just a few (all within walking distance) to check out on your
next trip to downtown Roseburg.

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