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 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 [fee-YER-oh], 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.
Forgotten for nearly fifty 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.
Today’s episode of As It Was was written by Craig Stillwell, the program producer is Raymond Scully. I’m Shirley Patton. As It Was is a co-production of JPR and the Southern Oregon Historical Society. To share stories or learn more about the series visit asitwas – dot- org
Sources:
Alley, William, “Grace’s Visit to the Rogue Valley,” Oregon Historical Society, Online History Cooperative, Summer 2005, Vol. 106, No. 2.