The block on North Main Street between Laurel and Manzanita streets has been associated with education in Ashland for 150 years, since the Rev. Skidmore first started a college called “The Academy” in 1872. Briscoe Elementary was dedicated in 1949 and closed in 2004. The school is now owned by the city and leased to the Oregon Child Development Coalition.
At the end of May, faced with the challenges of the pandemic and staffing shortages, Standing Stone served its last Oak Street Amber and closed its doors for good. Floyd and Margaret Whittle would probably be surprised their little leased garage building became a beloved restaurant.
Originally called “Ashland Mills,” Ashland was founded around Abel Helman’s water-powered sawmill on Ashland Creek, later transformed into a flour mill. The Ashland Woolen Mill, on Helman Street, was one of the city’s major employers in the 19th century. As late as the 1950s, Ashland still boasted half a dozen lumber mills.
Ashland boosters in the early 1920s would have none of building a hotel the same size as those of rival towns; they would build the tallest building between San Francisco and Portland!
Lithia Park is often called Ashland’s “crown jewel.” Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it was among the first public parks in southern Oregon — but, if not for a group of persistent women, things would be much different.
What’s now a treasured-yet-crumbling Ashland landmark started as an attraction at an international exposition in San Francisco more than a century ago.
Rogue Valley Growers & Crafters Market is offering $40 in emergency market money to help SNAP recipients buy food and support local farmers amid the legal battle over funding the federal program.
ICE raids, food insecurity and looming cuts to Medicaid and Medicare topped the conversation at a rally and food drive hosted by State Sen. Jeff Golden on Saturday in Medford that drew about 100 people.
George Kramer: Three members of the Ashland City Council voted against putting the question of whether residents should have a say before new fees or taxes are added to our monthly utility bills. Three others supported asking voters that question. Mayor Graham voted no, against democracy, which means the only way this question can be put to the voters is through the petition process.
Kaytlin McIntyre: “Theater is a team sport — it’s the most collaborative art form, and a successful show at OSF will often require dozens, if not hundreds, of people to be operating in seamless coordination.”
Plans for Ashland Mill — the largest development proposal in Ashland’s history — are now in the hands of the city. In early October, Townmakers LLC filed a formal application to build what the developers call a “complete community” on 61 acres of Ashland’s southeast side.
Obituary: Harriet L. Williams passed away on Sept. 19, 2025. She was 97. Harriet had lived in Ashland for five years, having lived in Chicago, Skokie and Scottsdale before.
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