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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Institutions and Cultural events

Southern Oregon University, a four-year university, offers programs in science and liberal arts. It has an enrollment of 5700 students, and offers graduate programs in business, education, and the arts and sciences.

Ashland is well-known for its annual Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which brings thousands of visitors to the city every year. The festival has grown from a summer outdoor festival to a season which stretches from February to October, incorporating Shakespeare and non-Shakespeare plays in three theaters.

The National Fish and Wildlife Forensics Laboratory, located in Ashland, is the world's only crime lab dedicated to wildlife, and serves law enforcement both within and without the United States.

OSF's theater above the main green of Lithia Park

Lithia Park is a 100-acre park extending from the center of town ("The Plaza") up Ashland Creek to the foothills of Mount Ashland. It includes two ponds, tennis courts, two public greens, a bandshell (outdoor stage) and miles of hiking trails.

Ashland is home to a thriving educational community. The Ashland School District oversees three elementary schools, one middle school and one high school.

Geography

Ashland is located in the foothills of the Siskiyou and Cascade ranges at 42°11'29" North, 122°42'3" West (42.191396, -122.700752)Template:GR, or about fifteen miles north of the California border on Interstate 5.

The city is 350 miles north of San Francisco, California and 285 miles south of Portland, Oregon, in an area once proposed to become the State of Jefferson. It is 90 miles from Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.8 km² (6.5 mi²), none of which is covered with water.

Demographics

As of the census Template:GR of 2000, there are 19,522 people in the city organized into 8,537 households, and 4,481 families. The population density is 1,159.6/km² (3,003.1/mi²). There are 9,050 housing units at an average density of 537.6/km² (1,392.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.55% White, 1.87% Asian, 1.02% Native American, 0.60% Black or African American, 0.13% Pacific Islander, 1.71% from other races, and 3.11% from two or more races. 3.56% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 8,537 households 25.3% have children under the age of 18, 37.4% have married couples living together, 11.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 47.5% are non-families. Thirty-three percent of all households are made up of individuals and 10.9% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.72.

The age of residents is distributed, with 18.8% under the age of 18, 17.5% from 18 to 24, 23.3% from 25 to 44, 25.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 85.6 males; for every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.7 males.

Economy

Income from tourism comprises a significant portion of Ashland's economy. Many hotels, bed and breakfasts and restaurants support visitors to the Shakespeare Festival as well as other attractions. The town's five largest employers are (in order) Southern Oregon University, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Public Schools, Ashland Community Hospital and the City of Ashland.

The median income for a household in the city is $32,670, and the median income for a family is $49,647. Males have a median income of $36,825 versus $30,632 for females. The per capita income for the city is $21,292. 19.6% of the population and 12.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 22.0% of those under the age of 18 and 8.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

External links

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References

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