Ashland, Kentucky

This article is about the modern city. For other uses, see Ashland, Kentucky (disambiguation).
Ashland, Kentucky
City

Downtown Ashland, Kentucky
Motto: A proud past. A bright future.

Location of Ashland, Kentucky
Coordinates: 38°27′50″N 082°38′30″W / 38.46389°N 82.64167°WCoordinates: 38°27′50″N 082°38′30″W / 38.46389°N 82.64167°W
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Boyd
Settled Poage's Landing, 1786
Incorporated Ashland, 1854
Government
 • Mayor Chuck D. Charles
 • City Manager Ben Bitter
Area
 • City 10.8 sq mi (27.9 km2)
 • Land 10.7 sq mi (27.8 km2)
 • Water 0.04 sq mi (0.1 km2)
Elevation 551 ft (168 m)
Population (2010)
 • City 21,684
 • Density 2,000/sq mi (780/km2)
 • Metro 287,702
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes 41101, 41102, 41105
Area code(s) 606
FIPS code 21-02368
GNIS feature ID 0486092
Website www.ashlandky.gov

Ashland is a home rule-class city[1] in Boyd County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is located upon the southern bank of the Ohio River. The population was 21,684 at the 2010 census.[2] Ashland is a part of the Huntington-Ashland-Ironton metropolitan area. As of the 2010 census, the MSA had a population of 287,702. New definitions from February 28, 2013 placed the population at 363,000.[3] Ashland is the second-largest city within the MSA, after Huntington, West Virginia. Ashland serves as an important economic and medical center for northeast Kentucky and is part of the fifth-largest metropolitan area in Kentucky.

History

Ashland dates back to the migration of the Poage family from the Shenandoah Valley via the Cumberland Gap in 1786. They erected a homestead along the Ohio River and named it Poage's Landing. Also called Poage Settlement, the community that developed around it remained an extended-family affair until the mid-19th century.[4] In 1854, the city name was changed to Ashland, after Henry Clay's Lexington estate and to reflect the city's growing industrial base. The city's early industrial growth was a result of Ohio's pig iron industry and, particularly, the 1854 charter of the Kentucky Iron, Coal, and Manufacturing Company by the Kentucky General Assembly.[4] The city was formally incorporated by the General Assembly two years later in 1856.[5] Major industrial employers in the first half of the 20th Century included Armco, Ashland Oil and Refining Company, the C&O Railroad, Allied Chemical & Dye Company's Semet Solvay, and Mansbach Steel.

Geography

Downtown Ashland

Ashland is located at 38°27′50″N 82°38′30″W / 38.464017°N 82.641571°W (38.464017, -82.641571).[6] It lies within the ecoregion of the Western Allegheny Plateau.[7]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 10.8 square miles (27.9 km2), of which 10.7 square miles (27.8 km2) is land and 0.039 square miles (0.1 km2), or 0.30%, is water.[2]

Cityscape

Ashland's central business district extends from 12th Street to 18th Street, and from Carter Avenue to Greenup Avenue. It includes many historically preserved and notable buildings, such as the Paramount Arts Center and the Ashland Bank Building, which is built to Manhattan height and style standards and serves as a reminder of what Ashland leaders hoped it would become.

Climate

Ashland is in the humid subtropical climate zone, but distinctly experiences all four seasons, with vivid fall foliage and snow in the winter. Average high is 88 °F in July, the warmest month, with the average lows of 19 °F occurring in January, the coolest month. The highest recorded temperature was 105 °F in July 1954. The lowest recorded temperature was -25 °F in January 1994. Average annual precipitation is 42.8 inches (1,090 mm), with the wettest month being July, averaging 4.7 inches (120 mm).

Climate data for Ashland, Kentucky
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 80
(27)		 80
(27)		 88
(31)		 92
(33)		 96
(36)		 102
(39)		 105
(41)		 105
(41)		 101
(38)		 93
(34)		 85
(29)		 82
(28)		 105
(41)
Average high °F (°C) 42
(6)		 47
(8)		 57
(14)		 68
(20)		 77
(25)		 84
(29)		 88
(31)		 87
(31)		 80
(27)		 69
(21)		 57
(14)		 46
(8)		 67
(19)
Average low °F (°C) 19
(−7)		 21
(−6)		 29
(−2)		 37
(3)		 46
(8)		 56
(13)		 61
(16)		 59
(15)		 52
(11)		 40
(4)		 31
(−1)		 23
(−5)		 40
(4)
Record low °F (°C) −25
(−32)		 −23
(−31)		 −8
(−22)		 16
(−9)		 22
(−6)		 30
(−1)		 34
(1)		 33
(1)		 27
(−3)		 16
(−9)		 2
(−17)		 −18
(−28)		 −25
(−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.23
(82)		 3.07
(78)		 3.78
(96)		 3.33
(84.6)		 4.47
(113.5)		 4.02
(102.1)		 4.68
(118.9)		 3.73
(94.7)		 2.83
(71.9)		 2.81
(71.4)		 3.37
(85.6)		 3.60
(91.4)		 42.92
(1,090.2)
Source: The Weather Channel.[8]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18701,459—
18803,280124.8%
18904,19527.9%
19006,80062.1%
19108,68827.8%
192014,72969.5%
193029,07497.4%
194029,5371.6%
195031,1315.4%
196031,2830.5%
197029,245−6.5%
198027,064−7.5%
199023,622−12.7%
200021,981−6.9%
201021,684−1.4%
Est. 201321,407−1.3%
U.S. Census Bureau[9]

2012 estimate[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 21,981 people, 9,675 households, and 6,192 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,984.4 inhabitants per square mile (766.0/km2). There were 10,763 housing units at an average density of 971.7 per square mile (375.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.84% White, 2.30% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 9,675 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city the population was spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,309, and the median income for a family was $40,131. Males had a median income of $35,362 versus $23,994 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,218. About 14.0% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Local government

Logo and motto of the city

Ashland is governed by a City Manager form of government.[12] The government switched from a council-manager to a city commissioner-manager form of government in 1950.[13] The City Manager is the chief administrative officer for the city who reports to a Board of Commissioners. Department heads ranging from the Police to Public works report to the City Manager. The City Manager is currently Ben Bitter.

The Mayor of Ashland is elected for a four-year term and is not term limited. The mayor presides over City Commission meetings, is a voting member of the City Commission and represents the city at major functions. The current mayor is Chuck D. Charles.

Ashland's current City Commission members are Mayor Chuck Charles and Commissioners Kevin Gunderson, Larry Brown, Marty Gute and Amanda Clark.

In 1925, a new city hall was erected at the corner of 17th Street and Greenup Avenue.[13]

Federal representation

The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates the Federal Correctional Institution, Ashland in Summit, unincorporated Boyd County,[14][15] 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of central Ashland.[16]

The United States Postal Service operates the Ashland Post Office and the Unity Contract Station.[17][18]

Law enforcement

In the late 19th century, what is now the Ashland Police Department was organized when the town was still known as Poage's Landing.[12] The first executive officer was a town marshal, who was soon replaced by a professional police department.

The city of Ashland currently has 49 sworn officers, three civilian employees who function as administrative support and six parapolice who handle tasks that do not require the services of a sworn officer.[12]

The current Chief of Police is Rob Ratliff who was named Chief April 1, 2006.

Economy

King's Daughters Medical Center is Ashland's largest employer

AK Steel

A major steel producer formed from ARMCO Steel Company L.P, which was a limited partnership between Armco and Kawasaki in 1994. AK Steel eventually purchased Armco Steel Inc. At one time Armco employed over 4,000 people at its West Works, Foundry, and Coke Plant. AK Steel currently employs under 1,000 after the closing of the Foundry and Coke Plant and the downsizing of its West Works.

King's Daughters Medical Center

The fourth largest hospital in the state of Kentucky, the 465-bed not-for-profit institution is the city's largest employer at over 4,000 employees.[19] It offers numerous inpatient and outpatient services for the region.

Another hospital, the Ashland Tuberculosis Hospital, was located on a hill above U.S. Route 60 in the Western Hills section of the city and opened in 1950.[13] It featured 100 beds and served 18 eastern Kentucky counties. It has long since been closed due to the discovery of antibiotics that successfully treat tuberculosis, eliminating its necessity. The facility has since been used as a state office building and is now owned by Safe Harbor, a secure domestic violence shelter and advocacy center.

Education

Ashland Community and Technical College

There are seven public schools and two private schools in Ashland. All public schools within city limits are operated by the Ashland Independent School District.

Ashland has five public elementary schools, those being Hager Elementary, Oakview Elementary, Crabbe Elementary School, Poage Elementary, and Charles Russell Elementary. Hatcher Elementary closed its doors in Spring 2010. Its students and much of its resources were consoliated with the other elementary schools in Fall 2010.[20] The former Hatcher Elementary building now serves as the Ashland Independent Schools Central Office.

There is one public middle school, Ashland Middle School, formerly known as George M. Verity Middle School and Putnam Junior High School.[21][22] The campus is home to Putnam Stadium which serves as the home field for Ashland Tomcats high school and middle school football.

One public high school serves the city of Ashland: Paul G. Blazer High School, named after philanthropist[23] and founder of Ashland Inc.,[24] Paul G. Blazer. The high school is home to the Ashland Tomcats and Kittens athletic teams. The Ashland Tomcats football program has achieved 11 state championships. The Ashland Tomcats (boys') basketball program have accomplished 1 national championship, 4 state championships, 32 regional championships, and 55 district championships. The Ashland Tomcats and Kittens (girls') soccer teams play at the Ashland Soccer Complex at the high school. The school's marching band competes in the AAA class of the Kentucky Music Educators Association(KMEA). The marching band is commonly called "The Pride of Blazer" for its excellent performance in many KMEA marching band competitions.

The two private schools serving the Ashland area are the Holy Family School and the Rose Hill Christian School. Holy Family is affiliated with Holy Family Catholic Church and currently offers K-8 education. Rose Hill is affiliated with the Rose Hill Baptist Church and offers K-12.

Post-secondary educational opportunities include Ashland Community and Technical College which has multiple campuses within the city. Morehead State University also has a satellite campus located in Ashland.

Culture

Annual cultural events and fairs

Historical structures and museums

The Paramount Arts Center

The Paramount Arts Center, an Art Deco converted movie theater built in 1930, is located on Winchester Avenue. The theater serves as an important venue for the arts in eastern Kentucky and the surrounding states of Ohio and West Virginia. It is well noted for its Festival of Trees event during the winter season. The Paramount is also devoted to teaching children the importance of the arts. Summer classes are offered for school-age children.

Also along Winchester Avenue is the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center. Among its numerous exhibits, includes one about Country Music Heritage that pays tribute to the local music artists that line U.S. Route 23 in Kentucky. Two local artists, The Judds from Ashland, and Billy Ray Cyrus from nearby Flatwoods, are included.

The Pendleton Art Center is located within the downtown, formed in 2005. Among the art produced there include paintings, stained glass, carved gourds, and wood carvings produced by local artists. They are presented at the Pendleton the first Friday and Saturday of every month and other times by appointment.

The Jesse Stuart Foundation, an organization dedicated to the preservation of the literary legacy of Jesse Stuart and other Appalachian writers, is located within an earshot of the Pendleton Arts Center. Jesse Stuart, a well-known 20th century author, was from nearby Greenup, Kentucky.

Media

Newspapers

Ashland is home to two newspapers; The Independent and The Greater Ashland Beacon.

The Independent, is a seven-day morning daily newspaper that covers the city and the surrounding metropolitan area. In addition, it offers national, state, and regional news/sports coverage via reprints of Associated Press and CNHI wire reports and columns. The newspaper is often called "The Daily Independent" or the "Ashland Daily Independent" by locals, as these were its former names. One of the paper's claims to fame is the first printings of a supposed image of Jesus in the clouds of Korea in 1951.[25]

Ashland's other newspaper is The Greater Ashland Beacon. It is a free weekly circular published in full color every Tuesday. "The Beacon"; as it is known by locals, is exclusively dedicated to covering various community highlights. They include, but are not limited to, local events, sports results, outdoor recreation, and personal interest articles penned by Ashland area quasi-celebrities. One of the paper's claims to fame is weekly printings of an area exclusive Tim Horton's coupon, granting a free medium coffee with any purchase. [26] [27]

Radio

Call sign Frequency Format Description / Notes
W216AT 91.1 FM Owned by the American Family Association.
WDGG 93.7 FM Country Owned by Kindred Communications. Licensed to Ashland with studios located in Huntington, West Virginia. Identifies as "93.7 The Dawg".
WLGC-FM 105.7 FM Classic Hits Owned by Greenup County Broadcasting, Inc. Licensed to nearby Greenup, Kentucky with studios located in downtown Ashland. Identifies as "Kool Hits 105.7".
WLGC (AM) 1520 AM News Owned by Greenup County Broadcasting, Inc. Licensed to nearby Greenup, Kentucky with studios located in downtown Ashland. Identifies as the "A&A Porta-Pottys Kool Hits 105.7 NewsChannel".
WCMI 1340 AM Sports talk Owned by Kindred Communications. It was founded by the Ashland Broadcasting Station whose owners were the Daily Independent on April 29, 1935.[13] It was sold to Nunn Enterprises in 1939. Identifies as "The Tri-State's ESPN".
WONS 1080 AM Solid Gospel/Southern Gospel Located in adjacent Cannonsburg, it is owned by Big River Radio Inc. Identifies as "The Tri-State's Solid Gospel".

Television

Ashland residents receive their network television primarily from stations in Huntington and Charleston, West Virginia. In addition, WKYT, the CBS affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky, is shown on cable TV in Ashland when its programming is different from Charleston's CBS affiliate WOWK. Also, some Ashland viewers can watch the Lexington NBC affiliate, WLEX, when its programming differs from Huntington's NBC affiliate WSAZ. There are also two television stations licensed to Ashland itself. Those are:

Call sign Channel Description
WKAS Digital 25 Owned by the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television. PBS/Kentucky Educational Television (KET) affiliate
WTSF Digital 44 Owned by Word of God Fellowship, Inc. Daystar affiliate

Parks and outdoor attractions

Central Park in the fall

Ashland boasts a 47-acre (190,000 m2) wooded Central Park, founded in 1854,[4] with playgrounds and other amusements. It was bounded between Lexington and Central Avenue, and 17th and 22nd streets. In 1936, the Works Progress Administration constructed a central road through the park; one year later, a pond was constructed in the southeast quadrant. Twenty years later, after complaints of mosquito problems, the pond was filled in with five feet of dirt and it became a softball practice field. In the spring of 1995, the pond was excavated and was filled with water by September.[4] The original water lilies that were planned in 1937 had come back in full bloom. A fountain was added in the center and numerous fish species were added. The park today features three separate children playgrounds, several baseball diamonds, a volleyball court and a traditional bandstand. Central Park also hosts an annual holiday light show, the Winter Wonderland of Lights.

In July 1976, a new 10-acre (40,000 m2) park at the former Clyffeside Park was envisioned.[4] Named after Commissioner Johnny Oliverio, it features several baseball diamonds, and is located along Winchester Avenue near 39th Street.

In 2004, the AK Steel Sports Park was constructed along Blackburn Avenue in South Ashland. The sports-oriented park features several baseball diamonds, soccer fields and a skate park.[4]

Transportation

Map of Ashland and the surrounding vicinity

Air

Located just north of the city in Worthington is the Ashland Regional Airport. This airport is used for general aviation and charter services. The then-named Ashland-Boyd County Airport opened in 1953 and featured a 5,600 ft (1,700 m). runway with a 3,000 ft (910 m). clearance.[13]

Tri-State Airport, located in nearby Ceredo, West Virginia, provides commercial aviation services for the city.

Rail

Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Ashland. The major and only line that Amtrak offers in Ashland is the Cardinal, connecting New York City, Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Amtrak service is offered at the Ashland Transportation Center, formerly the Chesapeake and Ohio freight depot located at 15th Street near the Ohio River, but it does not have an Amtrak ticket counter or QuikTrak ticket machine. The former freight depot, constructed in 1906 on the former Aldine Hotel site,[28] was an abandoned derelict before being renovated in the late 1990s to serve as a unified transportation hub for the city.

The former Chesapeake and Ohio Railway passenger depot at 11th Street and Carter Avenue was completed in 1925 but abandoned in the 1970s in favor of a downsized depot in Catlettsburg.[13] The rail lines to the building have since been removed, and the building itself now serves as the downtown Ashland branch of PNC Bank. Passenger rail service was moved from Catlettsburg to the Ashland Transportation Center in March 1998.

Bus

The Ben Williamson and Simeon Willis Memorial Bridges connect Ashland to Southern Ohio

Greyhound Lines is the sole provider of intercity bus transportation out of Ashland. It operates out of the Ashland Transportation Center, along with the Ashland Bus System that provides five local bus routes.

Roads

Ashland is served by US 23 and US 60, several state routes, and is in close proximity to US 52 and Interstate 64. The state routes include:

Notable people

Popular culture

References

  1. ↑ "Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform" (PDF). Kentucky League of Cities. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Ashland city, Kentucky". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 18, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Population statistics" (PDF).
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 A history of Ashland, Kentucky, 1854-2004. Ashland Bicentennial Committee. 2004. 2 January 2007.
  5. ↑ Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Ashland, Kentucky". Accessed 15 Jul 2013.
  6. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  7. ↑ Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory "Level III Ecoregions of Kentucky". U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved 29 September 2013.
  8. ↑ "Monthly Averages for Ashland, KY". The Weather Channel. Retrieved May 23, 2009.
  9. ↑ Historical Census Data Retrieved on 2011-07-05
  10. ↑ Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2013 more information 2013 Population Estimates U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2014-05-23
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Ashland Police Department." Ashland Police Department. 30 December 2006 .
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 "A history of Ashland, Kentucky, 1786-1954." Ashland Centennial Committee. 1954. 2 January 2007.
  14. ↑ "Admissions & Orientation (A&O) Handbook." Federal Correctional Institution, Ashland. 1 (1/51). Retrieved on February 1, 2011. "The Federal Correctional Institution of Ashland, Kentucky, is located five miles southwest of Ashland in Summit, Kentucky."
  15. ↑ "FCI Ashland Contact Information." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on February 1, 2011. "FCI ASHLAND FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION ST. ROUTE 716 ASHLAND, KY 41105."
  16. ↑ "FCI Ashland." Federal Bureau of Prisons. Retrieved on February 1, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Post Office™ Location - ASHLAND." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on February 1, 2011.
  18. ↑ "Post Office™ Location - UNITY CONTRACT STATION." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on February 1, 2011.
  19. ↑ "About KDMC." King's Daughters Medical Center. 31 December 2006 .
  20. ↑ , Mike, James. "Goodbye to Hatcher." The Independent. May 30, 2010. Access date: June 5, 2010.
  21. ↑ , Maynard, Mark. "Board votes to change Verity to Ashland Middle School." The Independent. December 19, 2013. Access date: August 17, 2014.
  22. ↑ , James, Mike. "It's Ashland Middle School now." The Independent. August 13, 2014. Access date: August 17, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Kentucky, "notes with sorrow the death of PAUL G. BLAZER, SR.", December 13, 1966".
  24. ↑ ""E Pluribus Unum!" "One Out of Many" An Oil Company Grows Through Acquisitions, An Address at Lexington by member Paul G. Blazer, American Newcomen Society, copyright 1956 (pages 5 & 6)" (PDF).
  25. ↑ "Jesus in the Clouds". snopes.com. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  26. ↑ http://www.ashlandbeacon.com/
  27. ↑ http://www.ashlandbeacon.com/
  28. ↑ Chappell, Edward A. "A historic preservation plan for Ashland, Kentucky." City of Ashland, April 1978. 2 January 2006.

External links