Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-07-24
The Ashland
Celebration
(By George E. Bradnack in the
Merrill Times.)

county, Oregon, celebrated the big
gest day in her history, and one that
will go down in the minds of the peo-
pie of Ashland as the successful cul-
mination of hard work, a hard fought
bond issue, and the unselfish efforts
of one man, who subordinated per-
sonal work and interests to the cul-
mination of what will prove to be the
biggest asset and glory of Ashland
and make for her future and prosper
ity.
Extending from the beautiful Chau-
tauqua Park in Ashland is ravine,
beautiful in its ruggedness and
through which stream of sparkling
mountain water runs to the valley
below. Off in the mountains, nine
miles distant, were the famous lithia
springs, sulphur and sparkling min
eral waters, that needed only to be
brought to Ashland and its beautiful
natural park to make it the play
ground and wonderland of happy,
prosperous and contented people.
These possibilities, shadowed as
they were by lot of unsfghtly build
ings covering the grounds, were ap-
parent to the vision of one far sight
ed man, stranger there, who said
that these natural wonders, developed
and brought to the city to give to its
people the life-giving waters and play
ground, would make it the mecca of
tourists and people looking for rest
and health.
Publicity was given the project;
the people were interested; a bond
issue for $4,000 was voted; and it
was determined that Ashland should
condemn the unsightly buildings in
the beautiful place; that the land
scape gardener should be brought in;
that the waters from the springs in
the mountains should be brought to
the city for the benefit of the people
and future generations. How well
this has been done in the face of all
the opposition and discouragements
that have arisen, is the fulfillment of
these ideas that the people now unite
in saying was the creation of master
mind, that developed it after these
years of obscurity. Ashland enter
tained in one day 10000 people who
went away exultant over the fulfill
ment Of this dream and the reality
that has been brought to pass.
Beautiful landscaping has made a
veritable paradise out of what was at
one time an undeveloped but beauti-
full natural woodland. Flowers, ferns,
rustic bridges, paths through Won
derful grove and by the streams OF
pure mountain waters, the beautiful
glass fountains spouting forth the
sulphur and mineral waters from the
far distant springs, have made this a
paradise that took the creative hand |
of man and the wonders of nature to
perfect.
Ashland has for years enjoyed the
benefits of her Chautauqua sessions
and her Chautauqua Park, where peo-
pie have come from long distances to
camp and enjoy the advantages that
the Chautauqua programs have
brought to them.
Now through the creative genius of
Bert R. Greer, editor and manager of
The Ashland Tidings, the semi-invalid
and the tourist will stop for rest and
recreation and join the multitude
that will make their annual pilgrim
age to Ashland. The Ashland Chau-
.auqua lasts two weeks and their pro-
gram is always of the highest orderr4
The beauties of the place, enhanced
rs they are by the benefits to be re-
,eived, will extend the time of this
and Ashland will become
famous for its Chautauqua, its min
eral and sulphur waters and a resort
'or tourists.
After all the vicissitudes of the
brought forth, Bert RI,
Greer stands honored, and the thanks
If the people of Ashland are gener-
,usly extended to him for the work
hat he has done and the fulfillment
If his ideas. 1t is not given to all
men to see these things and to realize
hem, but a monument has been
erected that will be known and un-
ierstood in the years to come and
hat will be an appreciation of the
people and the city for the fulfill
nent of the ideals and work that has
been realized.
The celebration was given in honor
If this great work that has been ac-
and to fittingly commem-
1rate the nations natal day. 1t had
been carefully planned and was sue