Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-02-01

usually. cdnnOJ view the one Wlln-
out distinctly remembering the 9TH
er. The contrast is both suggestive
and pleasing.
Longer ago than the period of av-
erage human life l enjoyed the for
mer view in all its peaceful gran
deur. Virgin vale and golden foot
hills mingled their charms with those
of wooded mountains and rock-ribbed
canyons, blending in varying config-
uration and wealth of color all the
features OF an inspiring picture by a
master of the brush and canvas. Rills
and rivulets contributed their spark
ling mite, gathered from the eternal
SHOWS oil surrounding peaks, to the
larger stream that divides the valley
on central line from its source to
b, Rogue river, there to join the latter
in its dash and plash to the sea.
Within the picture is Rogue River
Valley, fringed with beautiful wales
and glens, dotted here and there with
primitive babitations, small orchards
and meadows and marked With sinu-
Gus lines of trail and wagon road, the
whole being set in frame of serrat-
ed mountain heights, the dark-blue
flanks of which being softened in
tone of color by the haze of sum-
mer eve.
Scene of Many Charms.
An effort on my part to produce
more than the merest suggestion of
the picture in words and phrases
would be futile, indeed; but it was
an entrsncing scene of many charms.
1t covered one of the richest garden
spots on the continent. Among the
great cluster of valleys on the Pa
cific coast, from British Columbia to
Mexico, none equalled it in beauty
of physical environment or excelled
it in richness of soil. In the quality
Of its fruit products, adaptable to the
cline, it has no peer in all the world.
In excellence and variety of waters
that flowed abundantly from noun
tain side or valley bed it was destined
to attract and amaze the world-tour-
lists of all climes.
Although feebly told in brief
space, that is what saw and believed
thirty-six years ago when, turning my
: steps toward less friendly fields of
conquest, / FLEW to ills l knew not
Of" 1 then foresaw the future of
Rogue River Valley-a future now
realized only in small part; but ]
> must have failed to appreciate the
opportunities it offered to those who
would remain and contribute to the
> development of its marvelously rich
natural resources then inviting the
enterprise and energy of man to rear
abundant reward.
How It Looks Today.
> The picture / see today gladdens q
heart in which there has constantly
been, for we'll nigh four decades, q
Il feeling of sincere affection for Ash
land and its surrounding hills and
wales. Although once-familiar land
marks of pioneer days have been re-
: moved, the old picture has been SC
Il skillfully retouched by the agencies
. of progress as to please the senses
that yield happily to the refining in
fluences of advanced civilization.
Where frame buildings once served
the commercial interests of Ashland
4 / now find imposing brick and stone
!, structures of metropolitan design
full-stored with stocks OF everything
:, essential to the comfort and happi-
: ness of humankind. The business
district has expanded to many times
its former area, every improvement
. therein being most substantial, at
tractive and permanent. Indeed, the
l. appearance of permanency features
u every change note. That, in itself
y portrays the Ashland spirit.
l. The residence district has been ex
s. tended even more surprisingly ant
n covered with pretentious abidinf
It places of modern architecture, sur
5. rounded by ornamental shrubbery
l. fruits, flowers and well-kept lawns
e suggesting homes of comfort, quie
q tude and happiness in one of thu
} choicest beauty spots of all creation
n Many miles of substantially pavet
y streets, avenues and boulevards hav'
n displaced the old town roads, whil'
IS long stretches of cement walks leat
u us to every nook and Granny of thu
u beautiful little city. How changed
d from the primitive village con
veniences OF pioneer repose!
Blessed With Parks and Fountains
). In addition to conveniently locate,
granite fountains, from which bub
8 bles and sparkles the purest waite
e yielded by the hidden springs o
y Mother Earth anywhere under tn
y sun, rejoice to find the most exten
te sive and delightfully."- charming sys
l. tenn OF parks have ever seen on tn
% Pacific coast. In wild, weird an
fantaafic mood Naturn daqipna