Black Oak Way

art on Black Oak Way gate

Black Oak Way

From Tolman Creek Road to Clay Creek.

Two blocks long, Quiet street.

Photo essay published in 2022.

Gravel road

Black Oak Way is a two-block gravel (not paved) street that begins at Tolman Creek Road and ends at Clay Creek. I don’t understand why it is still gravel, since it has been slowly developed from the 1960s up until 2004. I walked Black Oak Way on a cloudy morning in September 2022.

Black Oak Way street sign
Street signs at the intersection of Black Oak Way and Tolman Creek Road. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Black Oak Way from Tolman Creek Road.
In this photo, we are looking west on Black Oak Way from Tolman Creek Road. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

The first block of Black Oak Way

The first highlight I noticed was a massive Ponderosa pine tree, perhaps as old as one hundred years. Here are several photos of the Ponderosa pine and how it dramatically frames the entry to the house.

Ponderosa pine tree on Black Oak Way.
I like this huge Ponderosa pine tree on Black Oak Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Ponderosa pine frames the entrance to this house.
The Ponderosa pine frames the entrance to this house at 2376 Black Oak Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Ponderosa pine on Black Oak Way
Here’s a close-up of the huge Ponderosa pine on Black Oak Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
looking up into the Ponderosa pine
Another view of the Ponderosa pine — looking up. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

I spotted a few items of interesting art in the front yard gardens along Black Oak Way.

Black Oak Way yard art.
Interesting yard art in a garden. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Black Oak Way painted mailbox
I like to find painted mailboxes. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Robison yard art, Black Oak Way
Lovely art on this front yard rock. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

The homes on the two blocks are mostly ranch style architecture.

Black Oak Way, ranch style houses
Many ranch style houses on Black Oak Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

The second block – a “Dead End?”

Black Oak Way is a “Dead End” — or is it? (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

To reach the second block of Black Oak Way, you take a jog left on Bellview Avenue and then turn right to face the big yellow “Dead End” sign. In person, and in the photo above, you can see the tree-filled end of the street where Clay Creek cuts through town.

When I reached the “end” of the street, I was scratching my head. No, it is not a “Dead End.” Maybe it was 20 or 50 years ago. Now the street takes a 90-degree turn at Clay Creek and continues south until it connects with Bellview Avenue again.

Clay Creek

Unlike most of the original creeks that ran through Ashland, Clay Creek still meanders above ground all or most of its way through the town. The small canyon is quite wide here at the end of Black Oak Way. 

I couldn’t help taking this photo, which makes the fire hydrant look as though it is all by itself in the countryside.

fire hydrant "in the woods"
This fire hydrant is in the woods, or so it seems.(photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Clay Creek at turn of Black Oak Way
Clay Creek is past the “end” of Black Oak Way, where the street turns. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
Clay Creek at turn of Black Oak Way
Another photo looking down towards Clay Creek. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

Gates on Black Oak Way

I enjoy finding unusual gates, and Black Oak Way came through with two. One is special because of the art incorporated into the gate. The feature photo of this article shows a close-up of this gate art.

Gate on Black Oak Way
Here is an interesting gate on Black Oak Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

The other gate and fence is unlike any I have seen in Ashland. The fence part looks like either weathered steel or Corten steel. The gate, on the other hand, may be stainless steel. It appears to be a work in process. I would like to learn more about this fence and gate. 

unusual metal gate and fence
I have never seen a fence like this one on Black Oak Way. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
stainless steel gate
Is this gate stainless steel? (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)

Closing words

In case you haven’t seen any deer walking in front of your house or your car today, here is a photo of a healthy looking buck on Black Oak Way for you. 

Buck on Black Oak Way
Fortunately this sturdy looking buck ignored me as I took his photo. (photo by Peter Finkle, 2022)
3 Comments
  • toni dileo
    Posted at 19:15h, 19 October Reply

    My husband built his first house ( cabin) there in 1975. It’s a quiet spot that feels far from town.

  • Judy
    Posted at 19:02h, 27 September Reply

    Great pictures as usual. I had never heard of Black Oak Way. Today I was on Black Oak in Medford.

  • Ruth Sloan
    Posted at 15:37h, 26 September Reply

    Another great article! So interesting!

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