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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Agates still are available around Southern Oregon Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News White City at one time was the location of a large Army base "Camp White," which housed the 91st Infantry Division Army hospital and also was used partially as a POW camp and a small U.S. Navy unit. Before that time, when I was growing up, my grandparents lived in that area next to a very large Brophy's cattle ranch. At that time, it was called the Agate Desert. People came to actually look for and find beautiful agates. My grandparents found several, and I have a necklace made from them. Are people still finding agate around that area, and why were agates in this area? — Zavive, via email Well, Zavive, it seems that you know your history of the area, but like all of us do occasionally, you need a refresher on the present. Luckily, it hasn't changed too much since the days you described. Agate Desert is still the name of the place, and it's a grassland sanctuary that is home to all kinds of wildflowers and vernal pools. About 170 acres of the seasonal pools are safeguarded by the Southern Oregon Land Conservancy because it's one of the few remaining vernal pool areas in Southern Oregon. Many people still collect agates from the area. In fact, the Crater Rock Museum offers field trips for members to go look for agates and gems, and Agate Lake is a site that they have consistently visited for years. As for why they're there, agates are a relatively ambiguous and varied geological formations, so not too much research has been done about them. They form when cavities in volcanic rock bubble with carbon dioxide and water, and the minerals in the water begin to crystallize. They definitely won't make you rich, but as you seem to know with your necklace already, they can make for killer keepsakes. 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] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 16, 2015 at 12:01 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... 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 MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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 2015 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501