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Since You Asked: Hot on the trail of a road mystery Posted Apr 27, 2018 at 6:26 AM "Several years ago the county put up new road signs for our road with the name changed from Netherland to Netherlands with an "s." The road was named for Frank Netherland, and I have always wondered why it was arbitrarily changed to Netherlands. Of course, now the GPS's only recognize it with the "s," but why did some county clerk change the name and with it the historical significance? Or is it simply a case of lack of attention to detail that so plagues the media these days?" — Heidi H., Trail We can take on a challenge to pay attention to detail, Heidi. Here's what we found out about this confounding "s." John Vial with Jackson County Roads was our guide through this historical investigation. Vial looked through records and found that the road was never officially named by the Board of Commissioners — it was adopted by folks in the area and the name stuck. Vial said a record notes that Frank Netherland did inspire the name, but again, this was never officially given by the board. Vial said files reference both names interchangeably throughout the various county records. The official county map book has listed the road as Netherlands Road for more than 25 years, he said. Your questions, however, might be the spark that's needed to change the name back to what you remember it as being, Heidi. Vial said because the name has never officially been given by the commission, changing it to Netherland would "an easy fix." "However, if that is desired, we will ask the residents to circulate a petition so that the county is confident that we aren't making a change that one party desires but others oppose," he said. We hope you'll keep us updated. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . We're sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. Most Popular OSF's 'Oklahoma!' is as innovative as the original Apr 23 at 6:38 PM Medford gun supporters prepare for ballot showdown Apr 21 at 5:04 PM Nathan "Nate" Allen Joling Apr 25 at 8:51 AM Apple Jam is toast in Jackson County Apr 26 at 7:17 AM Letters to the Editor, April 21 Apr 23 at 7:31 AM Ashland native Weatherby is NHL prospect after big year Apr 25 at 5:57 PM Driver who struck bulls must pay $23,268 Apr 24 at 7:16 AM Motorcyclist killed in east Medford crash Apr 23 at 9:02 AM Community Builder: A cheerleader for Southern Oregon Apr 22 at 2:01 AM Medford Sears weathers the retail storm Apr 23 at 4:43 PM Data breach or 'bogeyman'? Apr 23 at 7:32 AM 3-alarm fire destroys one Medford home, damages another Apr 26 at 7:25 AM © Copyright 2006-2018 Rosebud Media LLC. All rights reserved. Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com ~ P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501