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It is clear that the land we call home has long, varied and fascinating roots. Much of what we know is not written, it is lore passed on by people that have passed on beliefs, traditions and a value system, through story telling and legends. Much of their message resonates today. Estimates based on carbon dating show that various tribes lived in our region as far back as 6000BC. These various tribes are responsible for many of our current names ( Lithia water, Siskiyou Mountians) and influenced how the original pioneers settled and devloped this area. After the town of Ashland was established, with mills, blacksmiths, shops and schools, the most striking thread weaving through the town´s past is its long-standing affinity for culture and education.
In 1872, Ashland College and Normal School was founded, which later became Southern Oregon University, and the first glimmers of a library began in 1879 with the Ashland Library and Reading Room Association.
A major event in Ashland´s cultural history was the arrival of Chautauqua, a nationwide traveling program of lectures, seminars and entertainment that began in New York and came to Ashland in 1893. It drew people from all over Southern Oregon. A dome-shaped building, the "Chautauqua Tabernacle," was constructed to house the events, and is clearly visible in many old photographs of the town. The Elizabethan Theatre of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival now stands on that site. Ashlanders heard such notables as William Jennings Bryan and William Taft, and saw many plays and other forms of entertainment at the "Tabernacle."
At the time of its construction in 1889, the Ganiard Opera House was said to be the finest opera house between San Francisco and Portland. As was the case with opera houses of that time, Ganiard was home to a variety of entertainment, including operas, plays and movies. It was also used for certain community events like graduations.
Finally, and most relevant to today, was the start of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in 1935 by Angus Bowmer. From the original three performances and two plays, the Festival has grown into a nine month series encompassing over 700 performances and 11 plays in repertory.
Ashland´s long cultural history leads directly into the spirit of the town today... cultured yet down to earth, progressive yet traditional. That spirit is one of Ashland´s finest qualities.
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