Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Annual open house welcomes lifelong learners ... Divers find missing plane near Brookings; body recovered ... Getting their hands dirty ... Annual open house welcomes lifelong learners ... Divers find missing plane near Brookings; body recovered ... Getting their hands dirty ... AS IT WAS As It Was: 'Grace's Visit to the Rogue River Valley' was a hit in 1915 Comment By Craig Stillwell Southern Oregon Historical Society DailyTidings.com By Craig Stillwell Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 5:31 PM By Craig Stillwell Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 5:31 PM » RELATED CONTENT • As It Was: Tales say Jacksonville ghost screams on windy nights... • As It Was: Crushed granite muffles Chautauqua echo • As It Was: WCTU 'Broom Brigade' battled 'demon alcohol' • As It Was: Pioneer woman Cynthia Ann Parker Applegate • As It Was: Ashland's Hargadine Cemetery dates back to 1867 • As It Was: An active senior citizen who headed for the hills — and stayed... • History book marks centenary of Lithia Park dedication » Social News In February 1915, the Medford Commercial Club learned from visitors to the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco that the Jackson County exhibit was rather bland compared to exhibits by other fruit-growing regions. In response, county officials quickly appropriated funds to make a motion picture that displayed the many virtues of Southern Oregon, which could be shown at the Exposition. Local orchardist and amateur photographer A. C. Allen collaborated with attorney and theater buff Holbrook Withington on a dramatic screenplay that would highlight the region’s history, natural resources and livability. Their story — titled "Grace’s Visit to the Rogue River Valley" — centers on a young woman’s visit to Medford, where a girlfriend shows her the social and cultural life of the valley. The lead actress was Grace Fiero, wife of wealthy orchardist Conro Fiero, who conveniently plays her love interest in the film. A few of the area’s surviving pioneers also had cameo roles. After filming and processing, the movie had a brief run in Medford theaters that July before being shown at the Exposition to wild acclaim. Forgotten for nearly 50 years, the film was restored in 1965 and broadcast on Medford’s KMED TV. Today one can purchase a DVD version from the Southern Oregon Historical Society. Sources: Alley, William, “Grace’s Visit to the Rogue Valley,” Oregon Historical Society, Online History Cooperative, Summer 2005, Vol. 106, No. 2. As It Was is a co-production of Jefferson Public Radio and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. As It Was stories are broadcast weekdays on Jefferson Public Radio and are available online at asitwas.org . By Craig Stillwell Southern Oregon Historical Society DailyTidings.com By Craig Stillwell Southern Oregon Historical Society Posted Jun. 29, 2016 at 5:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501