Nestled in the heart of Southern Oregon’s wine country sits Jacksonville, a charming town where history comes alive at every corner. This National Historic Landmark district, once a bustling gold rush settlement, now attracts visitors with its perfectly preserved 19th-century architecture and unique attractions. Among its treasures stands a magnificent 1908 schoolhouse that has found new life as one of Oregon’s most distinctive brewpubs, blending education’s past with craft beer’s present.
A Historic Canvas Transformed
The majestic brick-and-concrete schoolhouse atop Bigham Knoll stands as a testament to Jacksonville’s gold-rush heritage. Built in 1908, this architectural gem served generations of local students before falling silent as classrooms emptied.
Brooke and Mel Ashland breathed new life into the structure beginning in 2007, carefully preserving original elements like the commanding bell tower, weathered brick walls, and smooth fir floors. Their meticulous restoration balances historical integrity with modern amenities.
Walking through its doors feels like stepping through a portal in time—where children’s laughter once echoed, beer steins now clink. The building’s transformation represents Jacksonville’s knack for honoring its past while embracing new possibilities.
Bavarian Beer Hall Meets Oregon Roots
Culinary institute graduate Hilary Kemmling didn’t just open another restaurant when she launched Schoolhaus Brewhaus in 2010—she created a cultural bridge. Her vision brought authentic Bavarian traditions to this corner of Southern Oregon, honoring both German heritage and local history.
Wooden beams overhead and long communal tables set the scene for hearty plates of Wiener Schnitzel, venison stroganoff, and seasonal game specials. Tuesday nights transform into ‘Holy Schnitzel’ celebrations, drawing locals and tourists alike to this rustic haven.
The warm, amber-lit atmosphere encourages lingering conversations over steins of imported German beers and local craft brews. Servers in traditional dirndls complete the experience, making a meal here feel like a mini-European getaway in the heart of Oregon.
Seven-Acre Community Gathering Place
Beyond its beer and schnitzel fame, the schoolhouse anchors a vibrant seven-acre campus that serves as Jacksonville’s social heart. Families challenge each other on bocce courts while others stroll through meticulously maintained gardens that bloom with seasonal color.
The former cafeteria now houses a bustling café and bar where locals catch up over morning coffee or evening pints. Throughout the grounds, clever preservation work maintains hints of the property’s educational roots—classroom numbers still mark certain doorways, and woodshop details remain as subtle reminders of scholarly days past.
Weekend events from farmers markets to outdoor concerts transform the spacious grounds into celebration central. Mini-golf, picnic areas, and event spaces make this historic campus a true community treasure that brings together multiple generations.
Rogue Ales’ Historic Southern Oregon Return
Summer 2024 marked a significant homecoming as Rogue Ales & Spirits—one of Oregon’s craft beer pioneers—returned to its Southern Oregon roots. Their pop-up Rogue Ales Patio at the Schoolhouse created instant buzz among beer enthusiasts throughout the region.
Vintage school chairs and tables dot the sprawling outdoor space where visitors sample Rogue’s signature Dead Guy Ale alongside seasonal experiments. The collaboration extends beyond beverages, with Black Barn Farm providing farm-to-table bites that perfectly complement the robust beer selection.
Though initially planned as a temporary installation through year-end, locals whisper hopeful rumors of permanence. This partnership brilliantly connects Oregon’s craft brewing history with Jacksonville’s preservation ethos, creating a destination that feels simultaneously innovative and timeless.
Where Heritage Meets Hops and Hospitality
Jacksonville’s schoolhouse transformation represents far more than clever adaptive reuse—it embodies the town’s soul. Each brick and beam tells stories of children learning penmanship beneath the same rafters where today’s visitors discover new favorite brews.
The German-inspired cuisine creates unexpected cultural fusion in this distinctly American historic district. Visitors might arrive for the novelty of dining in a century-old classroom but return repeatedly for the warm hospitality that makes everyone feel like a local.
As sunset bathes the red brick in golden light, the schoolhouse bell tower stands as Jacksonville’s unofficial landmark. This special place succeeds where many historic renovations fail—it doesn’t just preserve architecture, but creates living heritage where community connections continue forming across generations.
