Are you interested in local history? Are there “mysteries” about your neighborhood, home, family, etc., that you’ve always been curious about? Mysteries in Our Backyard is a new research project that encourages YOU to research these local mysteries!
From October through December 2011, local history mysteries will be collected. Do you have a local history mystery question to share? Visit our website to submit your local history mystery and learn more about the project.
In January 2012, you will be able to claim a mystery to solve! For a $10 fee, you will receive online access to a research toolbox including research guides, maps, and much more to help you along the way. Your $10 fee also includes unlimited access to the SOHS and RVGS research libraries to help you in your research!
The Mysteries in Our Backyard website will be an interactive presence throughout your research. Upload the answers to the website and share with other researchers! On May 19, 2012, there will be a final event to share all the local history mystery solutions, and to share your research experiences.
Mysteries in Our Backyard is a collaborative project of: the Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS) and the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society (RVGS), with participation by members of the Jackson County Heritage Association (JCHA), the Jackson County Library System (JCLS), Southern Oregon University (SOU), and individual cemetery groups and organizations in Jackson County.
Imagine living in the 1930s and using this telephone for all your communication needs! By the mid-1910s, most of the Rogue Valley had both telephone service and electricity. This desk phone, made of bakelite, featured a rotary dial and a large cloth-covered cord that plugged into the outlet. Jackson County residents directed their long distance calls through an operator until the early 1960s. 
