Ashland, Oregon

Ashland is a city in Jackson County, Oregon, near Interstate 5 and the California border. It was named after Ashland County, Ohio, point of origin of Abel Helman and other founders, and secondarily for Ashland, Kentucky, where other founders had family connections. It officially became a town with the name Ashland Mills in 1855. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 19,522. It is the home of Southern Oregon University and the nationally renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival.

History

Prior to the arrival of settlers in mid-1800s, Shasta Indians lived in the valley along the creek approximately where Ashland is located. Early hunters and trappers, following the Siskiyou Trail passed through the site in the 1820's. In the early 1850s, the Donation Land Act brought many white settlers into the Rogue Valley and in conflict with its native people. These often violent clashes continued until 1856.

Related Topics:
1800s - Shasta - Siskiyou Trail - 1850s - Donation Land Act - Rogue Valley

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Gold was discovered near Jacksonville in 1851, contributing to the influx of settlers. Several men arrived to camp in what is now the Ashland area in January of 1852: Abel Helman, Eber Emery and his brother James, Robert Hargadine and others.

Related Topics:
Jacksonville - Eber Emery

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In order to capitalize on mining in nearby Jacksonville, Helman and the Emerys established a lumber mill on Ashland Creek (then called Mill Creek). During the 1860s and 1870s the community grew, establishing a school, churches and other businesses. In 1871 the Post Office dropped "Mills" from Ashland's name. The following year Reverend Skidmore founded the Ashland Academy--it eventually became Southern Oregon University.

Related Topics:
1860s - 1870s - 1871 - Following year

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In December of 1887, Portland, Oregon and San Francisco were joined by rail at Ashland. Until 1926, when most rail service began taking a different route, east through Klamath Falls to avoid the steep grade through the Siskiyou Mountains, Ashland thrived on rail trade. This was especially the case with orchard products, such as the famous Ashland peach, which won top honors at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois.

Related Topics:
1887 - Portland, Oregon - 1926 - Klamath Falls - Siskiyou Mountains - 1893 World's Fair - Chicago, Illinois

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In 1908, the Women's Civic Improvement Club petitioned for the creation of a park--Ashland Canyon Park--along Ashland Creek. The discovery of Lithia water around the same time led to a plan to establish a mineral spa at the park--using the resulting funding, the town engaged John McLaren, landscape architect of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, to design the park. This also resulted in a name change, first to Lithia Springs Park and then to Lithia Park.

Related Topics:
1908 - Lithia - John McLaren - San Francisco - Golden Gate Park - Lithia Park

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During the Fourth of July celebration in 1935, Angus L. Bowmer arranged the first performances of what would become the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The festival grew during the 1900s, and has become an award-winning and nationally-known regional theater company.

Related Topics:
Fourth of July - 1935 - Oregon Shakespeare Festival - 1900s

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