Ashland 4th of July Parade - Historical Photos

06 Jul Ashland 4th of July Parade – Historical Photos

Posted at 15:55h in Ashland History, Holidays by Peter Finkle 2 Comments

Ashland 4th of July parade – historical photos

Independence Day (the 4th of July) is the biggest community holiday of the year in Ashland, Oregon. The parade brings together more people than any other event of the year. I was happily surprised that Ashland Mayor John Stromberg, during his speech at the Lithia Park bandshell this July 4th, recognized and thanked the thousands of people from all over Southern Oregon who attend the Ashland parade.

Community excitement for Independence Day is not new. The 4th of July parade has been a big event in Ashland for more than 100 years. Let’s take “a walk down memory lane” and look at parade photos from more than 100 years ago.

1890’s

The oldest parade photo I have been able to find is from the late 1890’s, probably from the 1898 parade when America was in the middle of the short Spanish-American War that lasted from April 21 to August 13, 1898. It was primarily a naval war, and the parade float in the shape of a battle-ship gives the hint for 1898.

Ashland 4th of July parade float, probably 1898

“W.A. Poley & Co. The Reliable Druggists and Stationers” float in the plaza – Ashland 4th of July parade, probably late 1890’s or early 1900’s

1911

Here are a number of photos from the 1911 4th of July parade.

Ashland 4th of July parade 1911

1912

Ashland got creative for the 1912 parade. Do you think Briggs was a shoe store?

Ashland 4th of July parade 1912

Ashland 4th of July parade 1912 (What is this float?)

Ashland 4th of July parade 1912 (very patriotic parade entry)

1915

The 1915 parade photos focus on people of Ashland.

The Ashland Concert Band, precursor of today’s Ashland City Band – Ashland 4th of July parade circa 1915

Ashland 4th of July parade, circa 1915, in front of The Columbia Hotel (the hotel is still in business at the same place on Main Street more than 100 years later)