Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1915-08-19
AShland'S Plan Of
Civic Development
(By Morris j. Duryea, in the Oregon
Granger Bulletin.)

(By Morris J, Duryea, in the Oregon
Granger Bulletin.)
II is a common practice for munich
palities to bond themselves for civic
improvement and to provide funds
for sites arG bonuses to induce new
industries locate within the city
Seldom, if ever, has a city bonded
itself for the purpose of changing the
entire course Of its history and max
ing itself over into new kind of
town. A city in the southern part
of Oregon, the city of Ashland, is the
first city in the country, it is be-
lieyed, to do this remarkable thing.
The interesting feature of what is
being done by this Oregon city is the
incidental development OF a great
natural resource of the state itself.
The people of Oregon have been
too busy thinking about their rich
heritage in the way of millions of
acres of fertile soil, billions of feet of
standing timber and thousands upon
thousands Of undeveloped horsepow-
er, these great and potent factors in
the commercial, industrial and agri-
cultural progress of the state, to give
much thought to the wealth of re-
sources the state has in its wonderful
scenery and abundance of healing
waters. Tons OF literature, proclaim
ing the advantages the state pos
sesses for the homeseeker and in
vestor have been sent broadcast over
the world. Only in the past few years
have we begun to lay much stress
on the advantages the state offers
the tourist and sightsser, and to set
forth in our literaturUthe fact that
Oregon is the peer and equal of any
state in the Union in the variety and |
grandeur of its scenic attractions. |
We are coming to realization that
we have in our scenic attractions as
sets that have commercial value,
of being turned into
tremendous source of revenue. We
need the homeseeker and investor,
and must continue every legitimate
effort to bring them to Oregon, yet
we must not lose sight of the tourist
and his potential possibilities as ex-
pressed in dollars and cents to us.
This being true. any attempt to prop
erly exploit our natural resources
in the way Of attractions for the visit
or and sojourner is of interest to the
people of all parts of the state, hence
the story Of a unique development
Of this kind that is going on in the
southern part of the state will prove
to the readers OF the Ore
gon Grange Bulletin.
In almost every part OF the state
may be found mineral springs, more
or less developed and utilized. Prob
ably in no part of the state are they
as numerous as in the southern part,
in the vicinity Of the city of Ashland.
In and about the city of Ashland are
many valuable lthia, soda and sui
phur springs. These have been in
use for many years, but no attempt
has been made to develop them on
4 large scale. The people Of Ashland
have not, until about two years ago,
given serious thought to these springs
rs factors in the future growth and
progress of the city. More thought
Mas given to fruit raising and selling
'eal estate than to these natural gifts
hat are so valuable not only to the
,ity but to the people of the whole
state. About two years ago a move
nent was started to develop and
make use of them. and at the pres
mt time a project is under way that
will create in southern Oregon won
lerful playground.
The citizens of Ashland have voted
or and authorized a bond issue of
$4,000 to be used in carrying out
veil planned scheme of developing
he springs and beautifying fine
,ark system. A contract has ben
made, at a cost of 100000, with
irm of engineers to develop mineral
prings that have been acquired for
he city and pipe the water into town.
'hese engineers are under bond of
$50, 900 to deliver the water in the G
ity in unimpaired condition. Twen- I
y-one miles of three and four inch
,ipe will be required to carry the 7
1ater The plant when completed
viii have a capacity of 100000 gal
ons day. Lithia, soda and sulphur
waters will be distributed in the park