William Bybee was born in 1830 in Clark County, Kentucky. In his early 20s, he traveled west, spending time in California’s gold rush before arriving in Southern Oregon.
He settled in the Rogue Valley around 1853 and soon became one of the area’s more influential settlers. Once established in the Rogue Valley, William became a successful agriculturalist and stock raiser, at one point owning thousands of acres of land around what is now Central Point and Jacksonville. He was also active in local law enforcement, serving two terms as sheriff of Jackson County.
Elizabeth Walker Bybee, wife of William Bybee, was an important early settler in the Rogue Valley in her own right. Born in Missouri in the 1830s, she traveled west with her family as part of the great mid-19th century migration and arrived as a young woman in the Rogue Valley. She married William Bybee in 1854. Together they had 11 children, many of whom did not survive to adulthood. Local accounts describe Elizabeth as industrious and respected within the community.
The estate’s house was built between 1857 and 1861, in a Classical Revival style. It closely resembles a home built by his cousin, James, on Sauvie Island. The home became known as the William Bybee House and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
William and Elizabeth Bybee transformed their estate into a gathering place for celebration and community. As a prosperous landowner, William was known for hosting extravagant parties, accommodating guests in need of lodging, and organizing lively carnivals. He even built a racetrack for locals to enjoy.
Nestled in the hills of Southern Oregon, just outside of Jacksonville. The Bybee Estate has welcomed travelers for generations. Built sometime around the year 1857, the inn stands as a living piece of Southern Oregon’s history. The Inn has been carefully preserved and updated for modern comfort. Many of Jacksonville’s most iconic structures date from this era, and The Bybee Estate remains one of the area’s enduring historic landmarks.
Over the decades, the inn has witnessed Jacksonville’s transformation from frontier town to the charming historic destination it is today.
Original features such as wood floors, original moldings and windows have been restored offering guests a genuine connection to the past. Each room reflects details of the craftsmanship of an earlier time.
Located just a two minute drive from downtown historic Jacksonville, The Bybee Estate isn’t simply a place to stay, it’s a visual reminder of a story that began over a century ago.
We are so honored to care for this historic inn and share it with you.
If you are looking for a historic inn near Jacksonville, Oregon, we’d love to welcome you.