On the outskirts of Cave Junction lies the rural neighborhood of O’Brien. This is the southernmost community in Josephine County at just 5 miles north of the California state line. Farmland and forests dominate the landscape. Creeks branching off from the Illinois River flow through this quiet neighborhood of about 100 homes. Though it’s far from any metropolis, residents know where and how to have fun here. From its gold mining history to its treehouse winery, O’Brien is more than just the pit stop along Redwood Highway.
Large farmland ranches are also an option in O'Brien.
The O'Brien is just minutes away from the California border.
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Off-roading on the McGrew Trail
Nature and wildlife lovers will find plenty to do in the O’Brien area. Springtime wildflowers bloom at Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside, creating a peaceful place to walk dogs along its mile-and-a-half-long trail. For something a bit more extreme, the McGrew Trail is “an ancient trail that goes all the way to the coast,” says Scott Hopson, Broker at Keller Williams Realty Southern Oregon. “Gold miners used to use it with horse wagons. It’s a real feat of amazement that they could carry gold in those wagons up and over mountains and down through gulleys.” Today, off-roaders can take their motorcycles, horses and four-wheel drive vehicles up there and explore the wilderness of southern Oregon. Additionally, Great Cats World Park offers guided walking tours for families to learn about leopards, lions, tigers and other endangered predatory felines. Kids can search the park for hidden eggs at the Annual Easter Egg Hunt. The park offers discounts to locals on Illinois Valley Community Appreciation Day.
Run, walk, or hike through the Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside in O'Brien.
Rough and Ready Botanical Wayside
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Farming the southern Oregon land
O’Brien’s tall trees, gated driveways and chain-link fences give properties a sense of privacy. The neighborhood’s homes – some of which are one and two-story cottages – use well water and septic tanks. “If you are a pioneer type of person, it’s a great place to have a farm,” Hopson says. “It’s very rural, a lot of acreage and decent land prices.” Some homes come with a shed, garden or horse pasture. Homes cost between $325,000 and $420,000. Manufactured homes range from $235,000 to $263,000. Finally, land parcels fall between $120,000 and $215,000.
The entry neighborhood between California and Oregon is the O'Brien community.
The O'Brien neighborhood borders right on the mountains coming from California.
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Three Rivers School District provides free meals
The nearest public schools are located about 8 miles north in Cave Junction. Students may attend Evergreen Elementary, rated C on Niche, Lorna Byrne Middle, rated C-minus and Illinois Valley High, rated C-plus. Three Rivers School District provides summer meals to all kids aged 18 and under; kids who live in the Cave Junction area can get their free lunches at Jubilee Park on weekdays. Josephine County’s purple bus route transports passengers from the O’Brien Country Store to Jubilee Park in Cave Junction.
Lorna Byrne Middle School serves around 300 students serving the Cave Junction area.
Illinois Valley High School has a student to teacher ratio of 20 to 1.
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Taking the Redwood Highway out of town
U.S. Route 199, also known as Redwood Highway, runs north-to-south through O’Brien. It leads to the nearest hospital, Asante Three Rivers Medical Center, about 35 miles northeast. The nearest airport is over an hour away from O’Brien: Rogue Valley International Medford Airport, 63 miles east, offers 12 nonstop flights across the western U.S
Homes in O'Brien generally go for as low as $235,000.
You are never too far from an adventure in O'Brien.
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Raising a glass at the Augustino Estate Treehouse Tasting Room
The center of the neighborhood contains a post office, a gas station, a country store and a restaurant. The O’Brien Country Store offers a small selection of groceries and hot food. Inside McGrew’s Restaurant and Lounge, a deer head adorns the wall and twinkle lights hang from the ceiling. Guests dining outdoors sit on a wooden patio modeled after an old western town. Further into the neighborhood, the Augustino Estate Treehouse Tasting Room overlooks Leuizenger Creek’s flowing waters. Kids and dogs can explore the sprawling deck and vineyard while adults enjoy Pinot Grigio from inside the lofty treehouse tasting room.
Take a break on the weekend and visit Augustino Estate Treehouse in O'Brien.
The local community come together in the sunny seasons for the farmers market.
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Learning about forest fires at the Siskiyou Smokejumper Museum
The O’Brien area has some of the hottest summers in the state, with some temperatures rising to over 100 degrees. The neighborhood also experiences cool, wet winters and a risk of flooding along its creeks. Homeowners can prevent the spread of wildfires by trimming the ground vegetation around their properties. The nearby Siskiyou Smokejumper Museum pays homage to the area’s history of fighting wildfires. Here, locals can talk with some of the retired smokejumpers who fought fires the old-fashioned way – by parachuting out of planes. In the early days of the U.S. Forest Service, these fearless firefighters used this method to extinguish forest fires that had sparked due to lightning.
Visitors from all over come to see the spectacular Oregon Caves, available near O'Brien.
Residents of O'Brien can visit the Smokejumper Museum to learn more about the history.
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The redwoods and ocean are not far, and the Illinois River is a block away! Amazing recreational opportunities surround the scenic Obrien area. Enjoy hiking, fishing, and wine tasting. Dimensions are 210 feet wide by 50 feet deep. Electricity is in the area. Consists of a mix of trees and open area. Josephine County zoning is RR1 Residential. Boundaries in aerial map are only approximate.
Ready for building that dream home! This 5.54 forested acre lot, zoned RR5 residential has beautiful open ridge views to the West, but tucked away by a dense grove of pine, fir and cedar trees, creating privacy from Lone Mountain Rd. Only a few minutes from the local market, restaurant and bar in one direction and close access to the West Fork of the Illinois River, BLM and National Forest in the
Newer 3 bed, 2 bath manufactured home on 5 acres in beautiful Southern Oregon! This move-in ready property features a split floor plan, new appliances, a walk-in pantry, a spacious laundry room with/ sink, and a private primary suite. Enjoy a covered front deck, a detached 2-car garage, greenhouse, large fenced garden, and two 12x20 carports outside. A second unit, fully remodeled and previously
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Katherine 'Kat' Soditus,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
392
Median Age
54
Population under 18
15.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
33.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$28,571
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,110
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84%
College Graduates
12.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.4%
% Population in Labor Force
39.2%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
29/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
8/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
