Ashland, Pennsylvania

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There is also Ashland Township in Clarion County.

Ashland is a borough located in Pennsylvania, United States, 12 miles (19 km) northwest of Pottsville. It lies in the anthracite coal region of eastern Pennsylvania. Settled in 1850, Ashland was incorporated in 1857, and was named for Henry Clay's estate near Lexington, Kentucky. Population in 1900, 6,438; in 1910, 6,855; and in 1940, 7,045. The population was 3,283 at the 2000 census. The borough is located mostly within Schuylkill County. A tiny portion lies within adjacent Columbia County. Also see: Centralia, Pennsylvania

Ashland is home to the Pioneer Tunnel and Steam Train, called the Lokie. The mine, which ceased operation in 1931, was retimbered and reopened in May 1963 as a tourist destination where visitors could experience a real anthracite coal mine. The other attraction is a narrow gauge steam train ride aboard the Lokie, named Henry Clay, along the side of Mahanoy Mountain.

Ashland's other main attraction is a large bronze statue of Whistler's Mother, (also known as The Artist's Mother), which is in the downtown area, visible from (and one block off) Pennsylvania Route 61. This statue is modeled after James Abbott McNeill Whistler's painting of his mother that resides in the famous Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Ashland is pretty much just a huge hill, with a lot of nice people, and some very nice churches.

[edit] Geography

Ashland is located at 40°46′54″N, 76°20′40″W (40.781587, -76.344426)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 4.5 km² (1.7 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 3,283 people, 1,437 households, and 863 families residing in the borough. The population density was 728.5/km² (1,886.0/mi²). There were 1,724 housing units at an average density of 382.6/km² (990.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 99.39% White, 0.21% African American, 0.09% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.09% of the population.

There were 1,437 households out of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.9% were non-families. 36.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 21.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the borough the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the borough was $27,234, and the median income for a family was $34,688. Males had a median income of $30,500 versus $20,920 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $15,036. About 11.1% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] External links

• Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce
• Pioneer Coal Mine tour
• Reading Anthacite Coal (History)
• A Pennsylvania community consumed by an underground anthracite coal mine fire burning for years
• Washington Fire Company, Ashland

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• Maps and aerial photos Coordinates: 40.781587° -76.344426°
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