DOWNTOWN “FACELIFTS”
COMMUNITY CALENDAR ....... .1
BE PROUD...ASHLAND IS A MAIN
STREET COMMUNITY!
PLEASE REMEMBER TO
SUPPORT OUR BUSINESSES AND
LOCAL!
Farmers Market, planters and planter initial goal of $175,000 and has
sales, street banners, litter receptacles, recently reached $215,000. In The answer is “a lot”!
and much more! In other words, October, 2006, Ashland was one
volunteers welcomed of twenty communities Six Boroughs...Six Downtown Organiza-
the opportunity and
“The end result of working
designated as an offi- tions...24 Committees...31 Steering Com-
ran with it! Officials hard and working together will be a cial PA Main Street mittee Members...Projects and more pro-
at Community Banks, safe, clean and green Ashland and Community. With this jects to improve our Six Great Towns…
Four short years ago, the Upper now Susquehanna a great place to call home” title comes many re- And WE LOVE IT!
Schuylkill Regional Main Street Bank of PA, were so impressed with sponsibilities and op- Could not ask for a better time to come out
program began and brought Six the concept they offered their beauti- portunities for Ashland over the and join in as a volunteer!
Great Towns together while develop- ful second story office and meeting next several years with the help
ing local downtown organizations in These are exciting times for Upper Schuyl-
room as a place to call “home.” M&T and support from the Borough,
each community. With that news, kill, folks! Our program is evolving like it
jumped right in and provided office additional volunteers and partici-
the Ashland folks gathered quickly should and on schedule. Operational and
furniture while the ADI volunteers pation by the business commu-
with enthusiasm, energy, and great special project funding until 2012 has been
painted and freshened up their new nity. Facade improvements to
ideas. Before we knew it, a board of secured thanks to Senator Jim Rhoades and
treasure. enhance an already beautiful ar-
directors and four committees using the PA Department of Community and
chitectural charm, new sidewalks
the Main Street approach were up While new projects and programs Economic Development. Additional fund-
and landscaping, and new busi-
and running and on the way to incor- were implemented, ADI volunteers ing partners are ARDCO (Area Revitaliza-
nesses improving Ashland’s tax
poration and a 501c3, non-profit stayed focused on becoming a PA tion and Development Corporation),
base are on the rise.
status. Special projects were under- designated Main Street Community, County of Schuylkill, Schuylkill River
taken to include downtown clean ups, knowing the program was highly The end result of working hard Heritage, PPL Utilities, and our six Upper
the Ashland AppleFest, Old Fash- competitive. With determination and and working together will be a Schuylkill municipalities. Special project
ioned Christmas, Homecoming, hard work, the Campaign for Ashland safe, clean, and green Ashland funds through Representatives Goodman
Hoffman Boulevard Landscaping, began and has now grown beyond the and a great place to call home. and Argall have been extremely helpful
and appreciated, as well.
where Ashland is situated. It was a Clay was a strong advocate of high April 17th.
The Ashland Chamber of Commerce is
direct route from Reading to Sunbury. tariffs on imports. When the tariff hoping to replace the existing Christ- www.upperschuylkill.com
went into effect, it halted the flow of mas lights and are exploring style and
The first interest in this area was the So, what does downtown revitalization
imported coal—mostly from Wales. pricing. Fundraising efforts and com-
virgin forest for timber. With the mean to those living in neighborhoods
Should the local landowners strike munity involvement will be a key fac-
discovery of coal in the region, and its outside of downtown?
the mineral in this area they stood to tor. Special fundraising with funds
growing importance as a fuel, there • home and rent values increase;
profit greatly, through Clay’s efforts. earmarked for this project is being
was a new attraction. A frequent
Samuel Grant later bought Burd planned. • better shopping and benefits of shop-
traveler on the Centre Turnpike was a
Pottsville resident, Burd S. Patterson. Patterson’s interest in the tract. ping local;
As he gazed up the sloping ravine John Brock handled most of the land Plans are also underway for the 2nd • a sense of pride;
running westward from the Mahanoy deals. A stone house called the annual “Ashland Area Community
Wide Yard Sale” on May 3. This is a • social and cultural activities;
Creek, he envisioned a prosperous Brock cottage stood at Seventeenth
town. He was criticized for even and Centre Streets until 1911. It was community wide event with tables set • opportunity to keep young people in
up at Higher Ups Park as well as yard town;
mentioning the idea of a town in such taken down to construct the W.C.
a forsaken place and it was referred to Estler School. In 1864, Brock died sales throughout the borough. Yard • tax dollars stay in the community;
as “Patterson’s folly”. He persuaded in London, England, but his heirs Sale Maps will be printed and those • more and more tourism;
John Penn Brock and James A. Hart, took over his affairs until the Ash- who would like to participate must
purchase a spot on the map. Refresh- • reduced vandalism and crime;
of Philadelphia, to go into partner- land Estates was sold to the Phila-
ship with him. The original purchase delphia and Reading, Coal and Iron ments will be available. Help us make • and an improved quality of life for all
of 800 acres of land was made in Company in 1870. this event a huge success and get your PLUS a positive perception of
1845, and was named Ashland yard sale items ready by May 3rd!
YOUR TOWN!
OUR VISION
Ashland shall promote its architecture to both residential and commercial
opportunities. Ashland will also enhance and market its historical and
cultural resources for tourism. Located at the intersection of routes 54
and 61, Ashland will serve as a western gateway into the region. Ashland
shall build upon its potential for tourism by connecting local historical and
cultural sites through a coordinated transportation and consistent “way
Ashland Downtown, Inc.
finding” system within the region. Ashland shall become the arts and
733 Centre Street, Ashland, PA 17921 heritage hub of the Upper Schuylkill region.
570-875-3571
www.upperschuylkill.com
Help us achieve our Vision for Ashland...become an ADI volunteer!