The Legacy that is Andrews Place

Jacksonville was designated a National Historic Landmark City in 1966, but that is not why it is special to me. Andrew’s Place is special to me because I grew up here and so did my father, Andrew Owings. Andrew’s Place was part of his grandparents homestead. My great grandfather worked the land and there are still remnants of his apple orchard across the street.

My grandmother’s family, the Fletchers, occupied a ranch house across from the present day site of Andrew’s Place.Most of my family came from Missouri or Tennessee and settled in Jacksonville and Oregon City. Our family’s ties to Jacksonville go back to the 1850’s. The grave of Elias Owings who died in 1854 is inscribed simply, “a Jacksonville pioneer.” My grandfather, James J. Owings, was a famed Rogue Valley photographer during the early 1900’s and much of his work was done in Jacksonville. He, along with many other members of my family, are buried in the Jacksonville Cemetery.