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JACKSONVILLE Jacksonville mayor offers tours of historic courthouse that will become City Hall Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 15, 2014 at 9:22 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 15, 2014 at 9:22 AM » Social News Tours of the 1883 Jacksonville Courthouse — on its way to becoming the new City Hall — are being offered Saturdays in December by Mayor Paul Becker as his holiday gift to the public. “They have been hearing about the courthouse for two years now,” said Becker. “I’m sure some of them have a certain level of curiosity. Here’s a chance to see what all the talk is about.” Jackson County turned the courthouse over to the city two years ago. The city will spend up to $1.2 million to convert the lower floor into offices while leaving the upper floor unfinished to be used possibly as a community gathering spot. Basic work to maintain the shell has been undertaken. A major increase in costs might derail the project, but that looks less likely as more estimates and plans are secured, Becker said. Tours are available every half hour from 10 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 3 p.m. (times corrected from previous version) and include both floors. Becker begins with an overview of the project featuring visual displays. “We have large copies of what the place will look like,” said Becker. Visitors will receive smaller copies of floor plans created by Jacksonville architect Gary Collins. There are several photos of the building in earlier days. Pictures show both the sheriff’s office and the surveyor’s office on the ground floor circa 1900. The ground floor later was turned into display space by the Southern Oregon Historical Society. A photo of the last hanging conducted on gallows right outside the building draws the most comments, said Becker. He’s heard dates of 1887 and 1892 for the execution. “They didn’t have to take prisoners very far,” said Becker. What’s called the “prisoner stairway” leads from a small cell on the second floor to the gallows. Remodel plans call for retention of the stairway. Other shots show a big picnic on the courthouse grounds and residents assembled on the courthouse entry. Becker will show where an elevator will be installed and locations of restrooms and city offices. Minor repair work in progress on the second floor limits the tour there. There are lot of ideas but no definite plan for the second floor yet. The city's budget will cover updating building systems, an elevator, restrooms and city offices, but remodeling the second floor will require securing grants. “We are currently active in trying to fathom what kind of proposals we’ll use to go get grants,” Becker said. Plays, musical events, weddings, reunions and large public meetings have all been suggested. A prep kitchen is proposed so that events could be catered. On Dec. 6, Becker conducted tours in the afternoon to avoid conflict with the Victorian Christmas Parade. About 50 to 60 folks showed up. “They really did exhibit a curiosity about things and about the building itself,” said Becker. “There was a good level of enthusiasm about what we propose to do. “They like the idea of (the second floor) being a place where the community can come together.” Dirk Siedlecki helped with displays, and Tom Glover will assist with tours. Entrance is through the rear of the building as Santa Claus will be on the front porch hearing children’s wishes. Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at [email protected] . By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Dec. 13, 2014 at 12:01 AM Updated Dec 15, 2014 at 9:22 AM » 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... 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