St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-06
ASHLAND. WIS.
The Future Metropolis OIL the South
Shore.

ASHLAND. Dec f.--lnS IlflFln8 DONns
situated at the head of Chequamegon Bay,
has destiny which she is rapidly reaching.
Enjoying the advantages Of the finest harbor
on Lake Superior, being the terminus Of each
OF four railroads, having inexhaustible sup
plies Of iron ore and lumber within easy
reach, she is awakening an interest in the
minds of capitalists and enterprising men
seldom attained. The advent of the Wis
consin Central Railroad the End day Of June
1877, found 600 inhabitants and the first
train over the Northern Pacific expected in
few days will find population of 5000
people The vote in 1877 was $50 while on
Nov. 4th, 1854, there were 1343 votes
polled.
The history Of Ashland proves that it is
bound to be city. Nature has planned the
site and aids it with a healthy, bracing at
mOsphere and the medicinal virtue of her
mineral waters. She has given it water com
munication with vast territory and heaped
up treasures at her very DOORS What more
could she dos These advantages were seen
as early as 1854. village was started and
man endeavored to do his part. Fortune
was not so kindly disposed. Ashland strug-
Cling for existence was nearly crushed by
the panic OF 50. Making new start it
again succumbed TO the hard times OF '73.
Despite these drawbacks Datures dictate was
TO be obeyed and Ashland OF to-day is one of
her browning goues.
The greatest growth of Ashland has been
within the last two years. Business in every
branch is there represented. Second street,
fortwO miles is lined on both sides with
stores, both frame aud brick, while scattered
everywhere throughout the town are smaller
concerns all prospecting. The time is now
ripe for the establishment of wholesale
houses. There are new towns springing up
along the lines OF the Wisconsin Central. the
Chicago, ST. Paul, Minneapolis az Omaha,
the Northern Pacific. and the Milwaukee,
Lake Shore and Western railroads To be SUD-
piled from this point. AS lake freights are
low, merchandise can be laid down iu Ash
land as cheaply as in Chicago or Milwaukee
II is nearer by 80 milas lake route and only
10 miles farther by rail TO st. Paul, Minue-
apois, and all western points with lively
competition for freight. The wheat Of the
Northwest brought by the Northern Pacific
can find an outlet to Chicago by rail or water
1t is the shipping point for the ore of North
Wisconsin.
The largest ore dock in the world is now
being constructed, and smelling works will
be built in the near future. The dock stands
on 1000 piles, and is to have 1913 pockets.
Without any improvements in the harbor the
largest vessels on the lake can land al the
docks to load and unload. There are seven
steam boat docks Uf different lengths, the
longest being that of the Wisconsin Central
Railroad /, 700.
large union depot is contemplated by
the four railroads and will be fine structure.
Round houses and other railroad improve
ments will cost + lis year over $1,000, 900.
Many Of the streets have been graded, pre-
senting fine appearance. There are 10 miles
OF sidewalk, and street cars are assured. The
charter has been obtained with live men to
carry on the scheme. The Holly system of
Water Works is being put in. Already five
miles of pipe have been laid, with hydrants
located about 600 feet apart An engine
house is nearly completed, 65xSO feet; two
stories high, of brick walls, with stone found
ation. Two immense pumps arc TO SIMPLY
the water from the lake. These each have
capacity of 5000, 900 gallons per twenty-four
hours. The total cost of the water works will
be S75, 900, and most of the capital stock is
owned by residents who will operate the com
pauy. They are receiving liberal patronage
Besides the convenience they were a real
necessity. The well organized Fire Depart
ments can now handle a conhageration
should one occur. There are two good Banks
the Ashland National Bank started last April
and l.. c. Wilmarth's Bank, which has been
in operation eleven years. There arc five
churches and good schools There are sever
al hotels full all the time. The Chequameeoa
Hotel owned bv the Wisconsin Central hav-
ing Accommodations for 800 guests, is to be
KEEP; open all the year. Formerly ii has only
been open during the summer season, and
has always been crowded to Overlooking with
seekers after health and pleasure. II is pro-
vided throughout with gas, electric bells,
water, bowling alleys, billiard rooms, pavi-
lions, spacious parlors and reading rooms,
boat and bath honses, and in fact no luxury
enjoyed in best hotels in large cities is want
ing; everything is thoroughly metropolitan
throughout. The assessed valuation of Ash
land is over $4,000, 100000, Property finds
ready and rapid sale. Rents are high and
no empty buildings. Every body in the town
is busy. There is spirit OF thrift aud pros
perity visible on all sides.
The assessed valuation is about 81, 900 900.
There are six doctors o. the Allopathie school
and good opening for Homeopathic phys
ican. There is one newspaper, viz. the
Ashland Press ably edited since 1872 by Hon.
S. S. Fefield. The Press gives its readers
Republican views and ideas; field of glory
awaits a sound Democratic sheet in Ashlrnd.
Nothing does more to build up a town than
manufacturing institutions. Ashland has
| FIVE saw Mills, two planning mills, and four
! foundries and machine shops. This year
these saw mills cut trile over one hundred
and fifty million feet of lumber, besides man
| l,tb
! The lumber business alone would support a
population of 5000 to say nothing of other
branches of industry. Last mentioned but
not least in importance are the mining in
terests. The hidden wealth tributary TO this
town is as yet comprehended by few and they
are looked upon as boomers or excited per
sons but which is not the case at all. The
| following minerals are all found in the vi
cinity, some in paying quantities others are
not sufficiently developed TO test them fully.
| Gold, silver. copper ore and native copper
nickle (Which gives 90 OF. per ton worth
| LOO per pound) iron ore, galena. mangan-
ese cobalt and plum bago. Two diamond
! drills are at work on the Penokee Range aud
twenty good paying mines are opened up.
| Several thousand tons of iron ore were ship
ped by rail to Cleveland, Ohio, where it re-
ceived Bessemer The highest grade and
brought the highest price. Ashland to be
comprehended and appreciated must be Wis
ited. The plain truth plainly told sounds like
the Boosting of an enthusiast to one who has
never seen the city. But let a clear sighted
unprejudiced party sojourn few days with
in her borders and he will return with stories
of wealth which shall outshine the "wealth
of Osmus and of Ind.'
Observer.
GLENCOE.
Especial Jrrespondence of the Globe.