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Ashland, Oregon
Population: 21,430
Located in Jackson County
A Place We Call Home! Ashland offers qualities of life that many towns only dream about. In addition to its physical beauty and cultural diversity, Ashland feels like a community...a place we call home. It shows up in many ways. Like walking past homes built at the turn of the century, preserved because people care, or shopping in buildings you remember seeing in historic photographs. It shows up in clean streets, well-funded schools and libraries, and a downtown free of garish signs. And most fun of all, it shows up in community events with real roots, like the Fourth of July Celebration, dating from the 1870's, and summer's Ashland City Band Concerts, going back to the 1890's.
Southern Oregon is famous for its recreational opportunities. Within an hour's drive of Ashland, you will find many rivers, lakes and mountains and an abundance of wildlife. Even within Ashland there is a lot to do. Lithia Park has been called "the crown jewel of Ashland," and what a jewel it is. Established in 1908 at the request of the women of Ashland, it was the first park in Southern Oregon. It was later expanded and named Lithia Park. Designed in part by John McLaren, long-time superintendent of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park, it covers 93 acres right off the Plaza, at the center of downtown. Favored by walkers, joggers and lovers of nature, the park is a place of beauty and solitude. There are many well-maintained footpaths scattered throughout the park. Walking near the creek in some locations you'll forget that you're in town. Lithia Park was recently awarded a Centennial Medallion by the American Society of Landscape Architects.
Ashland is also becoming better known in the fine arts field as reflected in its current ranking as one of the ten best small art towns in America. It is home not only to nearly two dozen art galleries and shops but also to a recently expanded art museum of growing reputation. In the galleries, the emphasis is on Northwest artists; some of whom are nationally known, though at the Schneider Museum on the Southern Oregon University campus visitors can see major contemporary exhibits from around the country. The student-run Gallery at Stevenson Union has first-rate invitational exhibitions, too.
The residents of Ashland believe that community events, such as the 4th of July and Holiday Festival of Lights, are integral to overall atmosphere of this city. In that spirit new events are added each year that enhance the feeling of community.
Ashland's galleries and shops offer a remarkably diverse range of fine arts and crafts. You can find representational as well as contemporary paintings and fine art prints; sculpture; glass; Native American and visionary art; pottery and ceramics; jewelry and fabric art; and fine hand-crafted furniture. There is a First Friday Gallery Walk each month sponsored by the Ashland Gallery Association which in the Spring also puts on the Taste of Ashland - a fantastic way to walk through town, viewing art while sipping wine and sampling locally created delicacies.
Southern Oregon is quickly becoming known for the fine wines being produced here. The rugged mountain valleys and diverse climates allow a wide variety of intensely flavored wine grapes to be grown. The cooler areas of Southern Oregon produce wonderful Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Gerwurztaminer while the arid regions grow rich Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Syrah. Visiting a Southern Oregon Winery is truly a unique experience, so come out and taste the different varieties, see the natural beauty and meet some special people.
Ashland Public Schools - The Ashland Public School District has seven schools centered in the city of Ashland. Approximately 3,277 students attend five elementary, one middle and one high school. Over 394 full and part-time teachers, support staff and administrators provide instruction programs. The school has historically benefited from a high level of community support. One measure of this is a record of consistent budget and bond election approval extending over two decades.
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