July Surprise III - The Great 4th of July Surprise of 1909 Part 3 - Articles from the Historical Society in Josephine County Oregon - Rogue River Valley .com - A Southern Oregon Travel Guide and Directory - National Historic Trails - Scenic Driving Guides

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Articles from the Historical Society in Josephine County Oregon

July Surprise III - The Great 4th of July Surprise of 1909

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wagons loaded with pick axes, mattocks, and irrigation pipe. Following behind were the V scrapers and the Road King grader. The parade traveled south, on 6th Street and crossed the railroad tracks. A small area was dug beneath the tracks so as not to impede the waters progress down the street. The water followed along side the band most of the time. The people on either side cheered loudly, and at times almost drowned the music. (I'm sure it wasn't "Old Man River") They proceeded south as far as "H" Street; turned west to 5th, then north on 5 th to Front Street, then to 6th and back to the north side of the track where the procession halted again amid the cheers of the crowd.

President Gilkey of the local Irrigation Company gave a fitting speech ending the irrigation demonstration. The water reached a point not far from the little white church that stood just to the north of the bridge. The water in the streets brought out the child in many a man that day. After all, it was Grants Pass in July, and a very hot afternoon. Grown men were rolling each other in the water on the side of Sixth Street.

It was said they acted more like fish just off the hook and trying to flop their way back to the river. That eventful day was the moment in time when Josephine County took the first giant step towards getting water to the land, thanks to the waters of the Rogue stored behind the Ament Dam. As the Courier stated that day, many people went home encouraged by what they had witnessed. The Ament Dam fell into disrepair and receivership during its 19-year existence. The last remnants were finally removed just prior to the completion of the Savage Rapids Dam in November of 1921.

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