Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1918-12-10
PAGE FOURTEEN
BANKER PRESENTS IDEAS
~ FOR AsHLAND's PROGRESS


Editor Tidings:
At this time, when reconstruction
is in the mind OF each, and when we
are looking forward to the return of
normal times and conditions, II
seems fitting that we take stock OF
ourselves and our surroundings to
see what eject new conditions are
going to have on us.
We in Ashland have gradually
grown into a sort of apathy and pes
simism toward our own city and dis
trict that is absolutely unjustified.
During recent years we have fire.
quently heard the question and re-
mark, what have we accomplish
ed?" "The town is dead" etc, etc.
A comparison of present condi-
tions with those of ten years ago and
conditions in and adjacent to Ash
land with other inland cities and
towns will show clearly that such
questions and remarks are not jus
titled and indicate a lack of study.
For instance, ten years ago there
were only a few blocks of cement
sidewalk in the entire city. Paving
had not even been considered. The
city hall was inadequate and an eye
sore. Where now we have our beau
tiful park entrance we had a second
rate mill operated spasmodically and
serving only for grinding feed, etc.
This dilapidated structure was sur
rounded by a loblolly of mud and
granite boulders; poorly cared for
public hitching ground.
Where now we have a park, sec
ond to none in the state, adjacent to
hundreds of acres of land with its
natural beauty, well cared for and
accessible to all, We had a clutter OF
mill buildings, very little used, a
few scattered dwellings of little
value and a tangle of brush and
weeds.
Ten years ago we had two good
school buildings, not open to criti-
cism, but to those we have added an
$50, 100000 High School plant, up to
date and the envy of all outsiders
who evince an interest in education
al matters. Where stood our Chau-
tauqua building, built of wood and
shingles, rapidly falling to pieces
and of insufficient seating capacity,
now stands a magnificent structure
one hundred sixty feet in diameter,
without pillar or post, with a COM
pletely equipped sixty-foot stage-a
marvel of engineering skill, with a
seating capacity of four thousand.
II seems almost unbelievable that
such a short time past Main street,
from First street east was a very
poor residence section, fronting on
a dusty or muddy street, depending
on the season of the year, with ele-
waited wooden sidewalks having
tendency to stop your progress by
an uplifted board or a loose nail.
Go now and look at the Vining
Theatre, the Elks Temple, the brick
buildings beyond, the Citizens Bank,
the Enders Block, the New City Hall,
the First National Bank, the Farlow
& Rhoades and Freeburg buildings.
Replace these in your minds eye
with the old blue Front" the ram
shackle wooden structures of every
description, fronting on an uneven
dirt street flanked with rattle-trap
wooden sidewalks.-Remember how
deep the mud stood where the Carter
Memorial Fountain now beautifies
the Plaza, then you will say, Truly
our city has progressed marvelously
and substantially"
Some times you hear It said I've
need pay rolls in Ashland" Where,
may / ask, aside from those coast
towns engaged in ship construction