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ASHLAND, OREGON
A Nice Place to Live
Ashland is one of the oldest communities in southern Oregon, having been set
tled in the early 1850’s by families who moved west to take advantage of the Ore
gon Donation Land Acts. Descendants of these pioneer families still welcome new
comers with old fashioned western hospitality.
Although its population has nearly doubled since 1940, Ashland is in no sense
a "boom town” but has developed with common sense progressiveness. It is pri
marily a city of homes with carefully planned parks and wide streets enhancing its
natural beauty. Crystal clear mountain water is brought to each home from the
adjacent slopes and a municipally owned electric plant provides inexpensive
power.
The city boasts four grade schools-—two of which were constructed in the spring
of 1949, a junior high, and a senior high school. A large public library serves the
town and a municipally controlled hospital is maintained. There are many fine
churches and a large number of active civic, patriotic, and fraternal organizations.
Extensive renovations made since the war have modernized the large number
of stores, specialty shops, theaters, restaurants, and offices. A sound bank deals
with conservative—yet progressive—spirit, and the city is served by a daily and a
weekly newspaper and a radio station.
Lithia Park
. .
One of Ashland’s finest assets is its beautiful 100-acre Lithia Park which ex
tends for more than a mile along Ashland Creek from the city center. Its spacious
lawns, woodland walks, pools, and banks of brightly colored flowers were laid
out by John McLaren, designer of the famed Golden Gate Park in San Francisco
Picnickers throng its delightful groves throughout the summer, and sports for all
ages are provided by its playgrounds, tennis courts, and horseshoe pits.
An outstanding feature is the new Gwin S. Butler Memorial band shell situated
in a natural amphitheater. The city band presents weekly concerts in the summer
and guest artists are heard often. Only the Hollywood Bowl has as fine an electric
organ as is to be found in the park’s band shell.
Other Recreation
Year-round competitive sports are provided by the high school and Southern
Oregon college teams. The Ashland Lithian baseball team ranks with the best in
the league, and a spirited city basketball league functions during the winter. Mo
torboat races are held annually at nearby Emigrant Lake and the Ashland Riding
Association sponsors frequent rodeos and races.
Twin Plunges and Helman’s Baths are swimming headquarters for young and
old alike, and Jackson Hot Springs, two miles north of the city is a well known re
sort. An excellent ski tow is operated at the summit of Siskiyou pass during the
winter.
Climate
,
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The climatic slogan of Ashland is “Where the Palm Tree Meets the Pine. Av
erage annual temperature is 52 degrees. July and August are the warmest months
with average maximums of 86 degrees, and December and January the coldest
with average minimums of 30. Snow falls during most winters, but seldom
remains on the ground for more than a few hours.
The average annual rainfall is 20 inches. Less than an inch of precipitation
falls during each of the four summer months. Because of the altitude, the imme
diate area is remarkably free of fog.
Geology
Ashland is situated on what was once an ancient sea beach which washed the
eastern slope of the Siskiyous. The mountains are among the oldest in the county,
and gold is found in the quartz veins of the old rocks.
The Cascade mountain
range to the east of the city is of new volcanic origin and Grizzly Peak, towering
6000 feet directly opposite the city is a dead volcanic cone.
Address inquiries to
ASHLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ashland, Oregon