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.
1911
Here are a number of photos from the 1911 4th of July parade.
1912
Ashland got creative for the 1912 parade. Do you think Briggs was a shoe store?
1915
The 1915 parade photos focus on people of Ashland.
1916
Does anyone know which community group’s Ladies Auxiliary is represented in this 1916 parade float?
Two photos with dates unknown
I like Ashland being known as “The City Noted for Lady Equestrians.”
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My thanks to the Ashland Library for access to their historical photo collection.