Explore Ashland Beyond Main Street.
Experience art amid the history of the Ashland Railroad District. When, in 1887 they drove the last spike on the rails along A Street in Ashland, they completed the railroad that encircled the nation. That Golden Spike marked he beginning of our connection to markets along the West Coast and far beyond. As you seek extraordinary shops, galleries and restaurants, complete your search with a circle through the Railroad District.
Discover unique galleries and artist studios, inns and cafes, music and theater, yoga studios and metaphysical centers among the buildings that stand near the site where a grand station once received passengers from distant cities.
Train time was exciting. At the sound of an approaching whistle, horse-drawn coaches would rush down to A Street to be the first to meet the passengers and get a spot to park. Parking is easier here nowadays, and it’s only a short saunter from downtown. Nearby restaurants would bang gongs to lure hungry passengers past the station dining room. Today, one taste will bring you back to the chefs’ tables.
History is made every day. Artists at work in their studios welcome you to witness as they demonstrate glassblowing, ceramics, stone sculpting, letterpress, etching and digital printmaking, drawing and painting. Fine art from distant cities is exhibited along with the fine art and craft created here in the Railroad District. Come for the fun of it!
Photograph courtesy Southern Oregon Historical Society (SOHS # 5852)