History+Art tour: Painted utility boxes in Railroad District
Description: During this tour, we will visit eight painted utility boxes (all part of Ashland’s public art collection) and explore Ashland history through nine stories. Most of our tour will be walking through Ashland’s historic Railroad District.
Time of walk: approximately 1.5 hours
Distance of walk: approximately 1.2 miles. Flat route, mostly paved walking surface with some uneven pavement.
Cost is $15 per person, with children 10 years and younger free. Normally a maximum of 12 people.
Route: Second Street, Lithia Way, Oak Street, A Street, Third Street, C Street, back to Lithia Way and Second Street.
Meeting spot: Meet in front of U.S. Bank near corner of East Main St and Second St.
Public Art tour: Downtown public art (six artworks)
Description: We will see the artworks Pioneer Mike, “We Are Here,” Rio Amistad, Fall Splendor, Inorganic Compound and Las Calles de Guanajuato. I will give a brief introduction to Native Americans of the Rogue Valley, the founding of Ashland, early Ashland history, and our sister city relationship with Guanajuato.
Time of walk: approximately 1.5 hours
Distance of walk: approximately 1 mile. Mostly on sidewalks. We will walk down one stairway, and walk a very short distance on a level dirt path.
Cost is $15 per person, with children 10 years and younger free. Normally a maximum of 12 people.
Route: Plaza to North Main Street, south on Granite Street, down Calle Guanajuato stairway, along Calle Guanajuato to the Guanajuato mural.
Meeting spot: Meet at the Pioneer Mike statue in Ashland Plaza.
Public Art tour: Bandersnatch trail
Description: On the Bandersnatch trail art tour we will view three public art pieces: Elevation, Pacific Fisher and Water is Life. You will learn about the artists, how the artworks were created and how the art relates to Ashland’s watershed.
Time of walk: approximately 1 hour
Distance of walk: approximately 0.5 miles. We will be walking on dirt trails. From Pacific Fisher to Water is Life is a somewhat steep uphill and back downhill climb.
Cost is $15 per person, with children 10 years and younger free.
Route: From Glenview Drive parking area along Waterline trail, then up Bandersnatch trail, then back to the starting spot.
Meeting spot: Trail head by parking area on Glenview Drive. Take Granite Street south. At 0.1 miles past point where Granite Street becomes dirt road, turn left on Glenview Drive. You will see two parking areas a little past 0.1 miles on Glenview Drive.
Neighborhood Art tour: Fordyce Street neighborhood
Description: As we walk through the Fordyce Street neighborhood, we will see a dozen colorful, uplifting murals and mosaics. You will learn about the local artists and how they created the artworks.
Time of walk: Approximately 1.5 hours.
Distance of walk: 1 mile. Flat route, mostly paved walking surface with some uneven pavement, short distance on dirt path.
Cost is $15 per person, with children 10 years and younger free. Normally a maximum of 12 people.
Route: East Main Street, through Evergreen Park, Mill Pond Road, Fordyce Street, Orchid Street, Rose Lane, Fordyce Street, Evergreen Lane, through Evergreen Park, back to East Main Street.
Meeting spot: Corner of East Main Street and Wightman Street, on the sidewalk in front of the new National Guard Armory
History tour: Ashland’s cultural journey from 1850s pioneers to
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Description: Learn about the cultural and economic influences that transformed Ashland from an isolated pioneer community into a destination for lovers of creativity and culture. The early settlers were mostly practical, adventurous and entrepreneurial Midwesterners. From this humble beginning emerged an energetic community, a college, a City Band, the Chautauqua summer programs, health resorts, an Opera House, a vibrant park system, and eventually a world renowned theater. Many historic photos included.
Time of walk: approximately 1.5 hours.
Distance of walk: Less than 1 mile. Mostly flat route, paved walking surface with some uneven pavement.
Cost is $15 per person, with children 10 years and younger free. Normally a maximum of 12 people.
Route: Lithia Park entrance, Lower Duck Pond, Bill Patton Garden, East Main Street, OSF “bricks” by Elizabethan Theatre.
Meeting spot: Meet by the Lithia Park sign at park entrance, south end of the Plaza. The tour will end at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival “bricks” by the Allen Elizabethan Theatre.
