Ruch, Oregon


Ruch is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Jackson County, Oregon, United States. It is located on Oregon Route 238, southeast of Grants Pass. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 840.
Ruch was named for Casper M. Ruch, who bought a tract of land where the community now stands in 1896. He built a blacksmith shop, a store and a house. When he was appointed postmaster of the new post office in 1897 and allowed to name it, he named it after himself. The post office closed in 1939.
There are two structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Ruch—McKee Bridge and Star Ranger Station.
The Ruch area is home to several Oregon wineries and is in the Applegate Valley AVA, a sub-appellation of the Rogue Valley AVA. A small elementary school, Ruch Elementary, is located near the center of the community. The school serves Kindergarten - 8th grade with the Cougars as their mascot.
The Applegate River runs through the southwest edge of the valley.

Climate

Ruch has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate according to the Köppen climate classification system.