Medford

Medford may refer to:

People

People with the surname Medford:

Places

Medford is the name of several places:

Canada

England

United States

Medford (surname)

Medford is an ancient Saxony surname, found in Northumberland and may refer to

Medford, Oregon

Medford is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. As of July 1, 2013, the city had a total population of 77,677 and a metropolitan area population of 208,545, making the Medford MSA the 4th largest metro area in Oregon. The city was named in 1883 by David Loring, civil engineer and right-of-way agent for the Oregon and California Railroad, suggested by Medford, Massachusetts, near his home town of Concord, Massachusetts, and in recognition of its supposed position on the middle ford of Bear Creek.

Medford is the county seat of Jackson County.

History

In 1883, a group of railroad surveyors headed by S. L. Dolson and David Loring arrived in Rock Point, near present day Gold Hill. They were charged with finding the best route through the Rogue Valley for the Oregon and California Railroad. Citizens of neighboring Jacksonville hoped that it would pass between their town and Hanley Butte, near the present day Claire Hanley Arboretum. Such a move would have all but guaranteed prosperous growth for Jacksonville, but Dolson decided instead to stake the railroad closer to Bear Creek. The response from Jacksonville was mixed, but the decision was final. By November 1883, a depot site had been chosen and a surveying team led by Charles J. Howard was hard at work platting the new town. They completed their work in early December 1883, laying out 82 blocks for development.