MEDFORD OREGON

MEDFORD OREGON

As soon as the railroad reached Medford the government established a post office, and J. S. Howard was named postmaster, an office he held for 10 years and afterwards for six years more. [Medford's mail service officially began in early March, two months after the rails reached town.] At first a cigar box served as post office, but was soon discarded for a soap box, 12 inches wide, 22 inches high and 9 inches deep, divided into nine compartments. [Both boxes are on display at the Southern Oregon Historical Society museum in Jacksonville. They likely served as an unofficial mail drop in the months before Medford secured an official post office.] A dry goods box was later added, and finally a case was built of 1 by 6 lumber, with 30 compartments. His daughter, Mrs. J. E. Roberts, still has this original equipment. The first registered letter received was one addressed to Miss Nettie Howard, now Mrs. B. S. Webb. This was in April 1884.
The first dance held in Medford was an impromptu affair, held in Howard's store. [Other sources say the party took place during construction, upon completion of the building's floor.] A fiddler was brought from Big Sticky and a jolly all-night dance was enjoyed. No preparations had been made for supper, but Mrs. Howard managed to serve sardines and crackers at midnight, so to Mrs. Howard belongs the honor of founding the first home in Medford after it was platted and named.