#lost ashland

[lostashland]

The “A” Street Ghost House

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First Entry 2018: This is a hidden treasure that won’t be the same too much longer-- the old man who lives in this lovely “haunted” house is currently remodeling it. But for the moment, it still remains one of the last houses of its kind in Ashland.

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Who knows what mysteries and remarkable things this house has seen through the ages-- from the days of the building of the railroad across the street, to the last passenger train pulling out of the station in the 1940s sending troops out to win the war ...

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I dunno, aren’t old falling-apart-looking houses cool? I think so. Feel free to walk by and step back in time. But be respectful to the residents, whether living or otherwise. The wild gardens on the side and back of the house are nice too.

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Right across the street is a park and playground called Railroad Park that’s nice for playing and picnicking and hanging out and sky-watching, and also where the cross-town bike path starts. On the opposite corner is Chozu, a Japanese sento, snack bar, and spa. It’s a really lovely place to stop after work for a drink and bite to eat.

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Cheers!

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Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ggJuNWUgBrdDG3iW7

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Jan. 2020 Update: The house is now painted white and looking especially wonderfully ghosty, but up for sale. We’ll see what happens next, but hoping our friend the Ghost House will be allowed to stay here for many, many more years to come.

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[lostashland]

Blackberry Way

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Fans of the warehouse alleyway in the Railroad District will love to know that, in summer, about one half of the same alley block is lined in lush blackberry vines while sunflowers peek over the fence to say hi.

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You have to be lucky to find some berries because I’m sure this is one of the birds’ favorite places downtown too. I hope you are because Ashland blackberries are delicious.

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And that ever-present forest-mountain view. There’s something magic about this neighborhood I’ve not been able to figure out, so the only thing to do is to wander around as much as possible and ponder the beautiful mystery of it.

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Map: https://goo.gl/maps/YPn1yTvCiVeeLM9N8

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[lostashland]

The Lithia Park Stairs

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To get from the creek path to the upper forest trails in the park, you can head up this very fancy staircase. At the top are two benches to sit and enjoy the foresty view, and trails on either side, and another stairway to the left that goes up to the South Pioneer gravel road, and from there you can go straight up to the woodland trails that span the entire length of Lithia Park and are a great wander.

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There is just something so special about a staircase in the woods. The benches are a nice place for afternoon coffee break, to bring a book to read, and perhaps write a book. The mood is very nice on a cool, cloudy afternoon ...

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Map: https://goo.gl/maps/3UuzaCwJLApSxPo18

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[lostashland]

“A” Street Warehouse Alley

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A retro blue and white warehouse wall and telephone poles line this block of the gravel alley on one side, and old bungalows on the other. Lovely on rainy, puddly days as well as being so picturesque in the winter snow. You may find some delicious blackberries along the wooden fence to snack on in late summer.

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This alley is part of the Ashland Railroad District Alleyway System, and is a great stroll or lazy bike ride any time of the year. Most of these alleys are unpaved and have uneven entrances/exits to crossroads (ride slowly on your bicycle and watch your footing). Many of them also have overhanging fruit during late summer/early autumn and you can sample plums, grapes, and etc as you walk along. (And wild edible greens in early spring like miner’s lettuce, chickweed, and purple nettle, but please only eat things you know. Always research beforehand before foraging for anything)

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Please wander quietly, as this is a very local area, and oftentimes very quiet. Great for solo meandering while deep in thought. You can almost hear the whispers of the ancient trees speaking stories of the past …

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This particular spot is also just really fun to photograph through the seasons and different times of day.

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Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Wfe359tZq5SXWtwH8

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[lostashland]

Ashland Creek at Van Ness Avenue

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Right next to Water Street Echo Tunnel is another cool place to explore. Not only does Water Street go under the railroad, so does Ashland Creek, and it goes under Van Ness Avenue too ! Echoes and flowing water, a nice combination, huh ?

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If you’ve come down Water Street from the plaza area (definitely the way you should walk/bicycle here), just before Van Ness you’ll notice a wild green area on your right that goes down to the creek. It seems to me it used to be a park and I’ve seen remnants of what might have been a sign with a park name on it, but it’s just a cool little forgotten pocket of nature now. If you come there at the right time of year on a windy day, tree seeds whirl around you like summer snow or dancing fairies. It’s a rare and wonderful phenomenon. 

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But getting back to the creek ! You can stand on the sidewalk on Van Ness and peer over the rails at a super beautiful view of the water rushing down under your feet, or hop over to the other side (look both ways before crossing the street!) and enjoy the trees overhanging the creek, and people’s street art on the tunnel. I saw a duck hanging out in the creek there when I came to take pictures, and there’s a cool waterfall-pipe too. When you go at the right time of day, it’s perfect for saying hi to your shadow.

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This is a nice, quiet residential-ish area so please be respectful and polite while exploring especially if you walk into the wild park-- those are people’s houses and private yards right across from the creek, so please don’t do anything annoying.

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Map: https://goo.gl/maps/cyF9bNxhKiUxNTGz6

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[lostashland]

Water Street Echo Tunnel

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A short, single-lane bridge meeting at Water Street and Van Ness Avenue, supporting the Union Pacific Railroad line above. Built in 1907, its official name is the Water Street Arch.

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But anybody who’s passed through knows how cool the echo is. There’s really not much info out there about this bridge-tunnel. It’s kind of more of a thing to go experience. I’ve made a short video to introduce to you it (curious about the song...? https://youtu.be/lLqv3oaO818) but I hope you’ll come visit the tunnel too. I think it appreciates a little song once in awhile. Wouldn’t you too, if you were a tunnel with a nice echo?

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Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Wuzuf5HsKdjicLjW9

[lostashland]

Hanami Locations

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Ashland in the springtime is full of flowers and there are lots of great places to go and do hanami or flower-viewing. Go with friends, bring a picnic, and enjoy the fleeting beauty and happiness of the blossoming trees. 

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Sakura (cherry blossoms) are the traditional trees to enjoy, and here’s some good spots to find them:

The corner of Granite and High Streets (pictured). Map: https://goo.gl/maps/YQVnCjfY3EyNN3a76

Black Swan Lake in Lithia Park. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/NqhFGfMESzWJ7WyP9

The Japanese Garden in Lithia Park (2nd and 3rd pictures). Map: https://goo.gl/maps/KVkjVTFQ6vm9dfpa7

Garfield Park. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/HrBPPP6EZzzvony29

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Plenty of other trees bloom in springtime, and here are a few good spots to enjoy them as well:

The Cottle Property, Almonds in early spring, Apple and Pear blossoms in mid-spring. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Hvu5KFkoiGMFgQJF6

Garden Way Park, ancient crabapple trees with dark fuchsia-colored blossoms in mid-spring (4th picture). Map: https://goo.gl/maps/eUiDBQGafTjtCDB56

The Sherman Street Free Little Library, with a bench under a grand old white flowering tree that blooms in early spring. Map: https://goo.gl/maps/R5HPogLAMPcc3UMr6

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I’ll be adding to this list whenever I come across another lovely place, so keep an eye out ! 

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[lostashland]

The Willow Trees

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Monday, April 6th we cried tears for our two willow tree friends of the Library Alley. The street won’t be the same without your branches leaning softly over our heads, your leaves and flowers brightening the view of the sky, the lovely dance you danced in the slightest breeze.

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Now that the noise has passed and peace returned, a small amount of happiness mingles in with the sadness in my heart. All those times we got to spend together come flowing back to memory … I feel as if we’d been friends a very long time, though I only really noticed you but a few years ago.

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I wish I could stand beneath your branches one last time. You will be missed dearly. Farewell.

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