SMALL HISTORIC TOWNS ACROSS AMERICA

As presented by Mr. Stadt ’s on-l ine Freedom Project Education U.S. History classes in the Fall and Winter of 2014.

You can learn more about our classes by vis it ing us at: www.fpeusa.org

Ashland, Oregon

   

 

 

A brief history: Located in the scenic Rogue River V alley, Ashla nd l ies just 14 miles nor th o f the Ca lifo rnia bor der at the fo ot of Mt. Ashla nd. It wa s f i rst settled in 1852 as a mi l l ing center, but of f ic ia l ly became incorpo rated into the state in 1874. The tow n became w ell kno wn f or its educat io na l and art ist ic op portunit ies w ith the founding of S kidmor e Academy, in 187 2. It later gr ew to beco me S outhern Oregon Univer sity . When Ashla nd joined the Chautauqua c ircuit in 1893, its reputat ion as a r es ort and educat io na l center grew.  

Location and Driving Directions from closest major U.S. Airport(s): Ashla nd is l oca ted abo ut four hours aw ay from E ugene, Oregon, and onl y a mere 16 mi les aw ay fro m the Cali fornia b order. T o get to the E ugene Airport (E UG ), get on I-5 North fr om OR -99 North. Follow I-5 N to OR-99 N in La ne C ounty and take exi t 6 fro m OR-569 W . Co ntinue on OR-99 North a nd f ol low s igns to Airp ort R d.  

Who was President when this town was founded? And, what was the pol it ical environment in America at that t ime: When Ashla nd w as f i rst s ett led, Mil ard Fi l lmore wa s President of the United S ta tes. He was the las t Whig president , a nd the la st president not to be a ff i l iated with e ither the Democrat ic or Republica n part ies . T he country w as prepa ring the 1852 e lect io n in Nov em ber o f that year. At this time ther e were thir ty -one states in the Union.  

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City government: Ashla nd ha s a ma yor–council government co ns ist ing o f a ma yo r and s ix counci l memb er s e lected by the c ity 's voters to s erve four-year terms . Unel ected ci tizen committees a ssist the ma yo r a nd counci l in setting legisla tive goals .

Historic Attractions, Festivals and Events:

Lithia Park i s a lovely pla ce to si t a nd read a bo ok. It i s a 93-acres, and 42 acres of i t is on the National Register o f Historic Places. T he Park b egins near the do wntown shop ping area and extends up stream along A shland C reek nea r the center of the ci ty . T he name Lithia comes from na tura l minera l w ater fo und in the Ashland a rea. It has a strong mineral taste a nd sl ight e ffervescence. T he l i thia wa ter fountains can b e found o n the town p laza. T he Oregon Shakesp ea re Fes tival (OS F) is another fa ntas tic p lace to vis it . T he fest iva l annua lly pro duces e leven p lays o n three stages during a seas on tha t las ts from Feb ruary to Octo ber. In addit ion to the plays , a free outdoo r "G reen S ho w" precedes the evening p lays fr om June thr ough Octob er, that are free to the public.  

 

Where can we stay i f we visit? T he Ashla nd Sp rings Hotel, w hich originally opened in 1925, is a great pla ce to stay. Located in the heart of downto wn Ashla nd, i t is j us t steps aw ay f rom OS F and Lithia Park . If your loo king for a good B&B, T he Shrew ’s House i s a gr ea t cho ice. It is a r es tor ed 191 4 C raftsm an Cottage f ive b locks fro m the thea ters. Amenit ies include, a p riva te s wimming po ol, lovely secluded gardens , a nd in ro om f irepla ces.

Why would I want to visit this historic town? Ashla nd is o ne o f the ma ny gems located in the Pa ci f ic North West . I have visi ted several t imes w ith my f ami ly , a nd there w as never a dull moment. I can ’ t believe there i s s o much exci tement ja m pa cked into this small tow n! Whether you ’re a n ar tist , a thea ter-goer, or al l ar ound a dv entur er, ther e is so mething f or you to enjo y.

 

Links to vis it :

Ashla nd ’s W eb site : http://w w w.a shland.or.us/

T he Or egon Shakesp ea re Fest iva l: https ://ww w .osfa shland.org/en.aspx

T he Ashland S prings Hotel: http://w w w.a shlandsprings hotel .com/ T he Shrew ’s House: http://w w w.s hr ew s.com/  

Ashla nd, Or egon– U.S . His to ry 2 -2 , 2014 ERW