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Shady Cove is known as 'The
Jewel of the Upper Rogue', Shady Cove has long been
world famous for record breaking salmon and steelhead
fishing as well as river rafting and a nearby Robert
Trent Jones II championship 18-hole golf course.
History: As early as 1870, tiny rural schools began serving Shady Cove
area pioneers. The promise of free land drew
hard-working families in the 1930’s. Like most of
the Upper Rogue communities, the Shady Cove
economy was based upon timber. In 1980, the once
thriving statewide timber industry declined and
led our region to focus upon our natural resources
in promoting a tourism based economy.
The village of Shady Cove is renowned for a number
of images unique to its location in the region
known as the Upper Rogue. With Crater Lake nestled
in the mountains 60 miles north of Shady Cove, the
incredibly beautiful Rogue River winding its long
journey to the ocean, and the green hills and pine
trees sloping towards the town center, it is no
wonder tourists are attracted to this small rural
town.
In fall of 1969, just after the
historic Space Landing and Astronaut Neil
Armstrong’s walk on the moon, the father of the
famous astronaut visited and fished the Rogue
River. Numerous other well-know personalities have
enjoyed the Region’s rural atmosphere and outdoor
adventures, including Tom Selleck, Kurt Russell
(with his Dad). Even Arnold Schwartzenegger felt
relaxed in our region’s non-pressured lifestyle.
Laura Bush and friends drove through Shady Cove on
their visit to Crater Lake.
In 1964,
the quaint little fishing and timber village was
devastated by a flood that destroyed many Shady
Cove homes, along with tall pine trees and much of
the community’s history. The power of the flood
also destroyed the original bridge crossing the
scenic Rogue River and the Seggerman Saw Mill
located adjacent to the bridge (current site of
Edgewater Inn).
The community of
Shady Cove incorporated as a city in 1972. Ray
Briggs, affectionately known as “Mr. Shady Cove”
was Shady Cove’s first Mayor and appointed local
resident, Annie Briggs, and lodging business
owner, Faye Thompson, to the Planning Commission.
Faye continued as a volunteer long after, and in
1976, Senator Mark Hatfield, State of Oregon,
heard of Faye Thompson and her beautification
project themed: “Make Shady Cove Shady (with
trees) – soon, she found herself invited to
represent the little City of Shady Cove in
Washington D.C. during the United State’s
Bi-Centennial Celebration. Under Faye’s leadership
and marking the year-long celebration, evergreen
seedlings donated by the U.S. Forestry, were
planted throughout the Village of Shady Cove and
nearby area to assist Faye’s quest to return the
area to the beautiful place she knew prior to the
flood on Christmas Day, 1964. Today, you will see
“forty-year old Pine trees” standing tall and
dotting areas around and in the heart of Shady
Cove…
In 1977, Lost Creek Lake, a
reservoir located on the Rogue River, 9 miles
north of Shady Cove, was built by the US Army
Corps of Engineers for flood control. In1972, the
US Army Corps of Engineers began construction on
the Lost Creek Dam, it was completed in 1977. In
1996, Congress renamed Lost Creek Dam along with
the adjoining intake structure in honor of William
L. Jess, one of the founders of the Rogue Basin
Association, which was established in 1955.
The Cole M. River Fish Hatchery, one of the
largest in Oregon (and Western States) is just
down stream of the dam and a short distance north
of Shady Cove. Built by the US Army Corps of
Engineers and operated by the Oregon Department of
Fish & Wildlife, the hatchery can produce 425,000
pounds of trout and salmon, annually.
SHADY COVE … A must stop On your way to Crater
Lake National Park.
On Highway 62,
four miles north of Hwy 234, in back of Trail
Christian Fellowship, the Rogers’ Rogue River
Ranch can be seen … another historic land mark, is
located a mile further at Mile Marker 18, just
south of Shady Cove. The “Lonesome Hickory Tree",
can be viewed and identified by an Oregon Heritage
Tree plaque. Mary Louisa Black planted this
shagbark hickory near her home in 1866 from nuts
she carried from Missouri by wagon train on the
Oregon Trail in 1865. This lone survivor of snow,
summer heat and Rogue River flooding is the only
shagbark hickory in the area.
At
mile marker 21, a sign on Crater Lake Highway 62
depicts a fisherman greeting north bound
travelers. Shady Cove is known as the recreational
hub of the Rogue-Umpqua National Scenic Byway –
and is the southern gateway to Crater Lake
National Park. Shady Cove is situated 60 miles
south of Crater Lake, and is the nearest full
service community (off I-5) to the nation’s sixth,
and Oregon’s only, national park.
The village of Shady Cove, an “all-season”
recreation destination, has long been a popular
fishing village and source for raft rentals,
fishing outfitters, casual to notable dining,
unique gift and retail shops, and includes a
locally owned wine tasting room. Two RV Parks
located on the Rogue River, nearby camping, and
three motels, including a “rustic recluse for
vacationing fishermen” situated on the banks of
the Rogue River; a recently renovated motel south
of the Shady Cove Bridge; and, in the heart of
Shady Cove, adjacent to the bridge and overlooking
the captivating Rogue River, is a beautiful 56
unit luxurious motel and conference room
attracting individuals, groups, and small-to
medium-size conventions and retreats. This motel
is conveniently located to a public boat ramp; the
Shady Cove-Upper Rogue Regional Park; and, the
Jackson County River House Conference Center, an
attractive property situated on the Rogue River;
is a popular site, especially in the summertime,
for weddings and family reunions.
And, “A RIVER RUNS THRU IT!” …
To dazzle and
delight both locals and guests.
The
City of Shady Cove is blessed to have the famous
Rogue River running through its town providing
locals and visitors with a constant recreational
companion. With a population of nearly 2,900
residents are finding living in this pristine
recreational region and commuting to their
workplace provides them with the best of both
worlds; others move here to get away from traffic
and the noise of large cities. Most residents come
here to visit and they fall in love with the rural
atmosphere, small town character, friendly people,
available services, activities, healthy lifestyle,
fresh clean air, and the ambiance of the beautiful
river and mountains.
Shady Cove is
best known as a point of departure for year-round
fishing; this section of the upper Rogue River is
noted for runs of large feisty Spring Chinook
Salmon, followed by the famed Summer Steelhead;
and, the Fall Chinook return in early September.
Several fishing guides and outfitters are
conveniently located in the village. Famous
anglers, include Western novelist Zane Grey. In
addition, rafting and kayaking are popular summer
attractions. Raft rental shops are located
throughout Shady Cove. Professional rafting guides
are available for an exciting, heart pounding
whitewater run.
Healthy Lifestyles
and all-season recreational opportunities attract
visitors and new residents . . . not all are
retirees!
Shady Cove is fortunate to
have amenities of much larger communities. In
addition to food services, catering, a full
stocked grocery store and several quick stops,
Shady Cove has available health services including
a medical clinic, dentist, chiropractic, massage
therapy and a fitness center all located in the
heart of Shady Cove. There are three gas stations;
auto and marine mechanics, unique gift shops (some
display for sale fine art and original artisan
wares), churches and a host of social and civic
organizations. Shady Cove is proud of its new
Jackson County Library, and new Upper Rogue
Community Center & Thrift Shop. Elementary and
middle schools are adjacent to City Hill, at the
north end of town - visit: www.shadycove.net
With civic responsibility that comes with
being part of a National Scenic Byway, the Greater
Shady Cove Boosters have contributed a large part
to the community’s beautification program.
This group “boosters the spirit” of the
community with seasonal banners waving in the
breeze throughout the business community. In
addition, twice a year, this group sponsors and
contributes valuable volunteer hours to the River
Clean-Up Program.
Special Events . . .
There’s always something going on in Shady
Cove. To usher in spring, visitors are encouraged
to take a scenic self-guided drive to view
millions of daffodils blooming from early March
through mid-April on Daffodil Hill (Sawyer Rd).
The one-day “Daffodil Daze Festival” is held
Saturday following the first day of spring. A
popular Wildflower Show, set for the first weekend
in May, displays over 200 local and regional
specimens. This event also features fine art by
the Upper Rogue Artist Association, and handmade
quilts displayed for show and sale by local
Material Girls.
In June, Tie Days River
Fest is held Saturday before Father’s Day and the
fourth Saturday of June brings the whimsical SPAM
Festival to the Shady Cove-Upper Rogue Regional
Park (on Rogue River Drive ) with music, vendors,
and of course you can get your fill of SPAM®. The
popular River ArtWalk, set for the second weekend
of August, is located along the banks of the
scenic Rogue River at Edgewater Inn and Rogue
River RV Park. The Upper Rogue Community Center’s
Rubber Duck Races at Regional Park held first
weekend of September. And, the annual fall
Scarecrow Contest and planting of Daffodil bulbs
is an effort that rewards the community in spring
and gives locals and visitors “over a million
reasons to smile!” – “Christmas in the Village” is
celebrated throughout the month of December.
Come enjoy Shady Cove amenities and Community
Spirit!
Population: 2,850 * Elevation:
1401 * Rainfall: Approx 33" - some snow for short
periods. Winter Temperatures falling below 32
degrees are rare. Summers are dry and warm with
daytime highs of 90 degrees - evenings may require
a wrap. |
