Grants Pass, Oregon
Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement Grants Pass is a city in and the county seat of Josephine County, Oregon, United States.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The city is located on Interstate 5, northwest of Medford, along the Rogue River. The population is 39,194 according to the 2020 census, making it the 15th most populous city in Oregon.<ref name=quif>Template:Cite web</ref>
History
[edit]Early Hudson's Bay Company hunters and trappers, following the Siskiyou Trail, passed through the site beginning in the 1820s. In the late 1840s, settlers (mostly American) following the Applegate Trail began traveling through the area on their way to the Willamette Valley. The city states<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> that the name was selected to honor General Ulysses S. Grant's success at Vicksburg. The Grants Pass post office was established on March 22, 1865.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The city of Grants Pass was incorporated in 1887.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Oregon–Utah Sugar Company, financed by Charles W. Nibley, was created, leading to a sugar beet factory being built in Grants Pass in 1916.<ref name="arrington" /> Before the factory opened, Oregon-Utah Sugar was merged into the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company.<ref name="arrington">Template:Cite book</ref> Due to labor shortages and low acreage planted in sugar beets, the processing machinery was moved to Toppenish, Washington, in 1918 or 1919.<ref name="arrington" />
Grants Pass was believed by some to be a sundown town.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The Ku Klux Klan was active from the 1920s to 1960s.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Geography
[edit]Grants Pass is located in the Rogue Valley; the Rogue River runs through the city. U.S. Route 199 passes through the city, and joins Interstate 5. The city has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>
Climate
[edit]
Grants Pass has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen: Csa), and is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Summer days are sunny, dry and hot, with dramatic cooling at night; the average August high temperature is Template:Convert and the low is Template:Convert. Winters are cool and fairly rainy, with only occasional snow; the average January high temperature is Template:Convert and the low is Template:Convert. Grants Pass receives roughly Template:Convert precipitation per year, with three-quarters of it occurring between November 1 and March 31. The mild winters and dry summers support a native vegetation structure quite different from the rest of Oregon, dominated by madrone, deciduous and evergreen oak, manzanita, pine, bush chinquapin, and other species that are far less abundant further north.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The record high temperature of Template:Convert was on July 4, 2022. The record low temperature of Template:Convert was on December 21, 1990.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are an average of 51.3 afternoons annually with highs of Template:Convert or higher, eight afternoons reaching at least Template:Convert, and 77.5 mornings annually with lows of Template:Convert or lower.
Measurable precipitation falls on an average of 110 days annually. The wettest rain year on record was from July 1955 to June 1956 with Template:Convert of precipitation, and the driest from July 1923 to June 1924 with Template:Convert. The most precipitation in one month was Template:Convert in December 1996, and the most precipitation in one day was Template:Convert on October 29, 1950Template:Spaced ndashpart of a two-day fall of Template:Convert and ending a five-day fall of Template:Convert. There is an average of only Template:Convert of snow annually. The most snowfall in one month was Template:Convert in February 1917.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Weather box
Demographics
[edit]2010 census
[edit]As of the census of 2010,<ref name="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> there were 34,533 people, 14,313 households, and 8,700 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 15,561 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 90.9% White, 1.2% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 2.3% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.5% of the population.
There were 14,313 households, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.3% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.2% were non-families. 32.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.
The median age in the city was 39.3 years. 24.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.6% were from 25 to 44; 25% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.
2000 census
[edit]As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 23,003 people, 9,376 households, and 5,925 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 9,885 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. By 2008, the city's population had increased to 33,239. According to U.S. Census figures from the 2006-2008 American Community Survey, the racial composition of the city's population was 93.6% white, 0.2% black, 1.6% American Indian, 1.1% Asian, 1.2% other race, and 2.3% two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos, who may be of any race, formed 7.2% of the city's population.
There were 9,376 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,197, and the median income for a family was $36,284. Males had a median income of $31,128 versus $23,579 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,234. About 12.2% of families and 34.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
[edit]The city council has 8 members as of 2019, representing 4 wards and are elected to 4 year terms by the city. The city council and mayor are not paid, and they volunteer their time. The council oversees the city government and chooses the city manager. The mayor's job is to provide leadership and preside over city council meetings. The Mayor can also issue vetoes and make a tiebreaker vote. Grants Pass is conservative leaning and represented in the United States House of Representatives by Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario). At the state level of politics, Grants Pass is represented in the Oregon Senate by Art Robinson (R-Cave Junction) who holds Oregon's 2nd Senate district,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and represented in the Oregon House of Representatives by Lily Morgan (R-Grants Pass) holding Oregon's 3rd House district<ref name="oregonlegislature.gov">Template:Cite web</ref> and Christine Goodwin (R-Grants Pass) holding Oregon's 4th House district.<ref name="oregonlegislature.gov"/>
Economy
[edit]The lumber industry was the major employer for Grants Pass up until the early 1970s. At that point the entire region started to see a steady decline in all lumber harvesting, production, and processing. Since then there has been a shift to a large service industry sector covering areas of outdoors/sports/recreation and health care infrastructure. This is augmented by multiple small and medium businesses and growth in marijuana-related businesses due to state legalization.
Arts and culture
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Annual cultural events
[edit]Boatnik, a hydroplane boat race and carnival event, is held every Memorial Day weekend in Riverside Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
They also host the Josephine County Fair which usually occurs in late August.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Museums and other points of interest
[edit]The historic Rogue Theatre downtown has been transformed into a performing arts venue that hosts mostly local acts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Grants Pass Towne Center Association's "Back to the '50s" Celebration includes free concerts, a nearly 600-vehicle Classic Car Cruise, poker runs, and thematic shopping in the town's downtown historic district.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Year round, there are First Friday Art Nights. On the first Friday of every month, many of the city's downtown stores hold art shows and promotional events.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Grants Pass post office contains two tempera murals done through the U.S. Treasury Department Section on Fine Arts (often mistakenly referred to as the "WPA"), both painted in 1938. There are ten government-sponsored New Deal era murals in Oregon; Grants Pass is the only post office that contains two. The murals are "Rogue River Indians" by Louis DeMott Bunce (who also painted a 1959 mural at Portland International Airport) and "Early and Contemporary Industries" by Eric Lamade.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The Caveman Bridge on 6th Street was built by Conde McCullough in 1933. The through arch design bridge has been a landmark of Grants Pass for many years, and the bridge was refurbished in 2019. The Redwood Empire sign at the beginning of the bridge has also been a landmark for many years, and it was redone in 2021 due to a car crash.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Parks and recreation
[edit]Grants Pass has numerous and diverse parks and green spaces.<ref name=Parks>Template:Cite web</ref> Notable city-run parks include Riverside Park, summer home to the local Concerts in the Park series, and the Reinhart Volunteer Park, a park largely built through the efforts of community volunteers and featuring facilities for many sports.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In addition, the BLM run Cathedral Hills recreation area on the outskirts of Grants Pass is home to several endangered species of plants, the largest whiteleaf manzanita in the state as well the tallest knobcone pine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Grants Pass is a Tree City USA Community and has been for 35 years.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
The city was involved in litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, regarding an ordinance preventing homeless people from camping in its parks.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On June 28, 2024, in a 6–3 decision, the Court upheld the city's ordinance.<ref>Template:Cite court</ref>
Education
[edit]Grants Pass area public schools are served by Grants Pass School District, including Grants Pass High School, and Three Rivers School District, including Illinois Valley High School, North Valley High School, Rivers Edge Academy Charter School, and Hidden Valley High School. Rogue Community College's (RCC) main (Redwood Campus) is located south of Grants Pass on Redwood Highway with additional campuses located in Medford, Oregon (Riverside Campus) and White City (Table Rock Campus).<ref name="rcc">Template:Cite web</ref>
Law enforcement
[edit]The City of Grants Pass is served by individual departments, each with their own respective buildings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Media
[edit]Newspapers
[edit]The Grants Pass Daily Courier is the region's newspaper. It was established in 1885 as the Grant's Pass Courier and then Rogue River Courier. After it became a daily, the name was changed to what it is today.
The other paper of record in Josephine County is the Illinois Valley News in Cave Junction, established in 1937.
Radio
[edit]- AM
- FM
(Medford and Ashland stations listed by Grants Pass translator frequencies)
- KDOV 88.1 Religious
- KLXG 91.1 K-LOVE — Religious
- KTMT-FM 92.1 Top 40
- KIFS 93.1 Top 40
- KRRM 94.7 Traditional Country
- KBOY-FM 96.1 Classic Rock
- KROG 96.9 The Rogue — Active Rock
- KLDR 98.3 Top 40
- KRWQ 98.7 Country
- KCMD 99.3 News/Talk
- KLDZ 100.7 Classic Hits
- KSOR 101.5 JPR Classical
- KCNA 102.7 The Drive — Classic Hits
- KAWZ 103.1 CSN — Religious
- KAKT 104.7 Country
- KMED 106.3 News/Talk
- KGPZ-LP 106.7 Christian
- KCMX-FM 107.1 Adult Contemporary
- KJCR-LP 107.9 Catholic Talk
Transportation
[edit]Road
[edit]Bus
[edit]Rail
[edit]Air
[edit]Notable people
[edit]- David Anders, actor<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Catherine Anderson, writer of historical and contemporary romance novels
- Gordon Sutherland Anderson, mayor and state legislator
- Agnes Baker Pilgrim, chairperson, International Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Carl Barks, writer and artist<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
- Ty Burrell, actor
- Terry Carr, science fiction fan, author, editor, and writing instructor
- Helen Chenoweth-Hage, U.S. Representative from Idaho
- Kit Culkin, actor
- Michael Curry, puppet designer
- Elaine Devry, actress
- Brandon Drury, baseball player with the Los Angeles Angels
- David Goines, artist, writer
- Kevin Hagen, actor
- Jack Lee Harelson, archaeological looter
- Mike Johnson, musician, member of Dinosaur Jr., singer-songwriter
- Debbie Lawler, stunt performer<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>
- Charles Levin, actor
- Jim McDonald, baseball player
- Gary McFarland, composer, arranger, vibraphonist and vocalist
- Merrill McPeak, former Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force
- Russell Myers, cartoonist, creator of the comic strip Broom-Hilda
- Scott O'Hara, pornographic actor and poet<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
- Hub Pernoll, baseball player
- Michael Saucedo, actor, musician
- Josh Saunders, soccer goalkeeper
- Shelley Shannon, anti-abortion activist, convicted arsonist and attempted murderer
- Cornelius Sidler, Wisconsin State Assemblyman and lawyer<ref>'Former State Assemblyman Of 2nd District Dies,' Sheboygan Press, September 22, 1925, pg. 4</ref>
- Ken Williams, baseball player
National Football League (NFL) players
[edit]Sister city
[edit]- Template:Flagdeco Autlán de Navarro, Mexico.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
See also
[edit]- Southern Oregon
- Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest
- Jefferson (proposed Pacific state), proposed state overlapping Oregon and California
References
[edit]External links
[edit]Template:Commons category Template:Wikivoyage
Template:Josephine County, Oregon Template:Oregon Template:Oregon county seats