Dardanelles Post Office

The picture above is a historical marker erected in 2008 by Siskiyou Pioneer Sites Foundation and E Clampus Vitus,Umpqua Joe 1859 Outpost of Humbug Chapter 73. The inscription reads as follows:

"First post office in Jackson County established October 15, 1852 in the cabin of Col. William G. T'Vault (1806-1869) Col. T'Vault was the editor of Oregon's first newspaper "The Oregon Spectator". He was postmaster general of the Oregon Provisional Government. He died in Jacksonville during the smallpox epidemic of 1869."

William G. T'Vault

Col. William G. T'Vault was a pioneer of the Oregon Country and the first editor of the first newspaper published west of the Missouri River. T'Vault led a wagon train of 300 that arrived in Oregon in 1845, after traveling on the Meek Cutoff, a branch of the Oregon Trail. He eventually settled in Oregon City and later moved to Southern Oregon in the 1850's.

Documents

Below is a collection of original documents pertaining to the official government recognition of Dardanelles as Jackson County's first Post Office location.

All documents and sources courtesy of Southern Oregon Historical Society and Mr. Ben Truwe.