Ashland is located at 1,895 FT (577.6 M) above sea level in the Rogue Valley of Oregon, between the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain ranges, aproximately 12 miles north of California border.
The estimated 2008 population of Ashland is estimated to be 22,000. 53.9% are female. 46.1% are male. Ashland has a larger percentage of females than most places. 90% are White NonHispanic. The median age is 37.9
Eber Emery and Abel Helman, both from Ashland, Ohio, had been miners together in California. They came to the Rogue Valley in anticipation for new settlers needing lumber and started the first lumbar mill in the area, using flow from the Ashland Creek. In 1854 Helman and Emery opened the Ashland Flouring Mills near what is now known as Lithia Park. Since so many people were coming to the area, Helman donated land to begin the development of a permanent town. In 1855 with the opening of the first post office, the town became known as Ashland Mills. The first public school was opened in 1857 and was operated from Emery's home. Robert Hargadine donated land to build the first public school in 1872.
The railroad came through Ashland in 1844.
A New York-based traveling lecture and entertainment group known as Chautauqua came to Ashland in 1893. They made their home in a domed building and it became the center of the growing town. By 1900, Ashland was the largest town in the Rogue Valley.
In 1916 Lithia Park was officially dedicated. The landscape artist, John McLaren, was also famous for The Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. The three fountains around the park were known to have high amounts of lithium, a mineral believed to have healing properties.
The Post-Depression years were hard for Ashland and the Chautauqua Dome was essentially abandoned. In 1931, Angus Bowmer came to teach English at the Southern Oregon Normal School now known as Southern Oregon University. His real passion was plays. He encouraged the city to present three days of Shakespeare plays during the 4th of July weekend in 1935. Bowmer presented "The Merchant of Venice" and "Romeo and Juliet." The event was a huge success and was the beginning of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. The domed building was replaced, in 1959, with the Elizabethan Theatre.
Sources:
http://www.citytowninfo.com/places/oregon/ashland
http://www.passport2ashland.com/article_907.html