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The history of the area that has most influenced the Gold Beach you see
today began in the mid-1800’s. In 1853, a short time after gold was
discovered in California, there was gold found in the beach sand near
the mouth of the Rogue River.
Originally given the name of Ellensburg, in 1858 the town became the
county seat of the newly formed Curry County.
But the nickname of Gold Beach stuck.
Prospectors poured into the area and set up their sluice boxes, and soon a
number of small enterprises sprang up around them, with people making a
living on salmon, logging, tanning and simply keeping all those folks
stocked with food and dry goods. Copper and other minerals were also mined
and at one point there was even a jade mine above Agate Beach. None of the
mines ever put out much gold, compared to the gold fields elsewhere, but
there are still a few gold mining operations in the upriver area and gold
can still be panned on the beach, so bring your gold panning gear and come
try your luck!
For many years salmon was heavily harvested
with seine and gill nets.
In 1896, a Mr. Frank was fishing for trout near the mouth of the Rogue
River using a fly rod and small spinner. To his and everyone else’s
surprise he reeled in an 18-pound salmon, and Rogue River sport fishing
was born.
Salmon has played an important role in contributing to the local economy
since. As gold mining, fur trapping and the lumber industries declined in
importance locally, each forced a large number of people to leave the area
in search of work. After 1908, commercial fishing on the Rogue expanded
rapidly and the salmon fishery was largely depleted in a very short time;
in 1935 commercial fishing on the Rogue was ended by state legislation.
Since then sport fishing has taken off and a number of enthusiasts have
formed organizations to protect and increase the salmon population not
only in the Rogue, but also in other coastal rivers up and down the state.
Today the salmon, steelhead, trout and other sport fish draw enthusiasts
from around the country to this small town. For adventurers
Gold Beach has two different companies offering Rogue River jet boat rides
at the mouth of the Rogue River, expect to have a great time enjoying the
ride!
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