U.S. 199 Oregon

U.S. 199

While U.S. 99 was decommissioned 1972, U.S. 199 remains within the system connecting Crescent City, California with Grants Pass, Oregon. 80 miles in length, U.S. 199 passes through Gasquet, California to O'Brien, Cave Junction and Selma, Oregon. It follows the northernmost segment of the Redwood Highway, which follows U.S. 101 from San Francisco to Crescent City and U.S. 199 from there north to Grants Pass. Most of U.S. 199 in Oregon is a two lane highway, passing from the foothills of Oregon Mountain north to Grants Pass.

The city of Grants Pass began in 1865 as the site of a stage station and post office. The site was named "Grant" in honor of Union General Ulysses S. Grant, however that would quickly be changed as another Grant, Oregon already existed at the time. At the same time a new roadway linking the area with Merlin to the north was constructed. Crews working on the project suggested calling the road over the pass of Merlin Hill, Grant's Pass. The name caught on and eventually encompassed the post office. In 1883 the Southern Pacific Railroad line entered the valley and the community of Grants Pass grew. Expansion of Grants Pass followed as the town prospered as a shipping center. Incorporation followed in 1885 at the same time Grants Pass became the seat of government for Josephine County.

Grant's Pass motto is "It's the Climate." Annual rainfall in 2005 was 37.92 inches, with average July temperatures in the low 90s and average January temperatures in the upper 40s. Nevertheless, rain has caused flooding in Grants Pass, with flooding events along the Rogue River in 1997 and 1964. Excessive rain in those years both resulted in widespread flooding and related damage in southern Oregon and northwest California.

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Page Updated Wednesday March 14, 2007.