Exploring the History of Buncom, Oregon: A Journey Through the Ghost Town

The abandoned mining town is about 20 miles Southwest of Medford, at the corner of Sterling Creek Road and Little Applegate Road. Buncom was first settled by Chinese miners in 1851 when gold was discovered in nearby Sterling Creek and Jacksonville. A general store was built, and in 1861 J. T. Williams opened a saloon. The Buncom Mining District was created in 1867 and the Buncom post office was established in 1896. By 1918, the gold in the area was depleted, the post office was closed, and the town was abandoned. Most of the buildings were later burned down.

Only three buildings from the early 1900s remain the post office (built in 1910), the cookhouse, and the bunkhouse. In 1991, the Buncom Historical Society was created. The society replaced all three of the roofs of the buildings in Buncom. The society has also restored the porch of the post office and the eaves of the cookhouse.

Since it was a day’s wagon ride from Jacksonville, Oregon the nearest town, Buncom became the supply and distribution center for the farmers and ranchers in the Little Applegate Valley. A stagecoach route ran through it, and the federal government made Buncom a post office in 1896.

Here is a picture of the post office.

The coming of the automobile was the end for Buncom. With Jacksonville and Medford now just a short drive away, there no longer was a need for Buncom. The post office closed in 1916, and a small general store continued to operate. The buildings were eventually abandoned and fell into disrepair.

Here are some pictures of the cookhouse.

During the Depression and later, renters and squatters lived in the buildings off and on.  The old Cookhouse was used for years as a barn.  Then in 1990, the property was purchased by Reeve and Lyn Hennion. With the enthusiastic help of neighbors and friends, the Buncom Historical Society was established to preserve the site and area history.

There is also a rumor about a bandit located in Buncom. The story is pretty crazy, and I don't know if it is true I thought I would share it.

Legend has it that a highwayman roamed the hills and trails around Buncom. He never stole money or cattle, though. His prize was something greater. Unsuspecting, the masked rider would suddenly swoop down on his victim, always a fair lady. Leaping from his horse and pulling the mask from his face, he would take the lady in his arms and kiss her soundly on the lips. Laughing, he would remount his horse. As he dashed away, along with the lingering effects of the kiss the lady would hear his parting call:

“Most bandits lust for cash or gold to fund a life of idle bliss; The Buncom Bandit risks it all to steal a lovely woman’s kiss.”

Here are some pictures of the bunkhouse.

Buncom is located in Southern Oregon, about 20 miles southwest of Medford and Interstate 5. From Medford and Grants Pass, Buncom can be reached via State Highway 238. You can find Buncom on the official State of Oregon Department of Transportation high maps. The roads are paved all the way. You can also put Buncom in your navigation app (I prefer Waze) and it will take you there.

Note: There is nothing in the area and plan on spending about 30 minutes here looking around. Please remember you are on private property so please be respectful.