Hi,
I actually have a segue into the title. Hold on, I'm a gittin' there.
Ashland is home of a huge Shakespearean Festival. It was when I was there I was treated to 'real' mineral water.
There was way too much money in Ashland around the turn of the 20th century (mostly from lumber). Teh town hired the men who drew up Golden Gate State Park in San Francisco to make them a park out of an old creek bed. The result is a series of descending pools with swans and geese. (I know, I know, I'm a gittin toit).
At the bottom of the park is a turn around with a fountain with spouts around it to sample the 'mineral water', known for it's resorative powers (or so the tourist books say *S*).
First, from two feet away, the smell of sulfur is overpowering. But, being a tourist, I had to try it, so I held my breath and took a sip. The taste was like rotten eggs (don't ask how I know what rotten eggs taste like ... that is a whole 'nuther thread).
Jacksonville: a little town just outside of Ashland and a special jewel. One of its early pioneers was a photograveur, so the history of the town is in photos that date back to the 1880s (approximately). If you are interested in antique photos, writing to the Jacksonville Curator might be a lot of fun ... they have all his old photos.
Here is the website for the research section of the Southern Oregon Historical Society. If you are interested in the photos, I am sure they would have more information.
http://www.sohs.org/services.htmlBest wishes