Community Gems: Business at the Railroad District

Did you know there are international manufacturing and technology companies in Southern Oregon? Or have you ever heard of Tunnel 13, the site of the last ‘wild west’ American train robbery? Or perhaps a better inquiry: what do these two questions possibly have in common?

Ashland. And more specifically, Ashland’s railroad district.

Though Ashland is now known for its tourism and Shakespearian plays, it wasn’t always the cultural and educational center of the valley. Incorporated in 1874, Ashland grew as a “railroad hub,” until the main line was routed through Klamath Falls in the 1920s. Today, with a population of over 25,000 people, Ashland is a historic gem waiting just north of the California border. Both the Ashland railroad district and downtown Ashland have spots on the National Register of Historic Places, where the unique history accompanying each location seems to be a prime cultivator for modern business.

In the more touristy downtown part of Ashland, businesses like Paddington Station cater to shoppers looking for interesting birthday gifts and to tourists who arrive in town for Ashland’s famous Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Landmarks like the magnificent Ashland Springs Hotel, and the artsy Calle Guanajuato by Lithia Park, bring out people’s cameras during all four seasons. Numerous restaurants, cafes, and other specialty shops also decorate the Ashland downtown, making it the center of visible business.

However, there are plenty of renowned Ashland businesses that work behind the scenes. Blackstone Audio, Braun Brush, Caldera, Dagoba, FlowJo, MaskIT, and even Project A are all successful companies beyond the downtown plaza. From developing high-tech global software, to engineering the perfect craft beer, these businesses add to the city’s appeal and productivity.

A little way down the hill from the highway, Ashland’s railroad district is also a trendy business spot, home to BioSkin, Darex, Plexis, and True South Solar. Once the site of railroad workers’ homes, the streets are now full of art galleries, small industrial businesses, and several historic sites including the Ashland National Guard Armory, the Peerless Rooms Building, and the Ashland Depot Hotel. In addition, businesses like Plexis have used the older buildings in the district to their advantage, providing unique working spaces for employees.

Meanwhile, for the thrill-seekers and history buffs, Tunnel 13, just a short walk from the Mt. Ashland exit, tells a dark story about Ashland’s railroad hub days. Thinking there was gold on board the train on an October day in 1923, three brothers waited outside the tunnel and held up the train as it left town. With a stick of dynamite and several shotguns, the robbers killed four of the train’s crew members, including the conductor. Four years later, the brothers were finally caught and arrested. The sad event went down in history as the last ‘great’ American train robbery. For those curious enough to see the tunnel, it’s still in use today, cutting through a ghost-town station within a mile from the I-5 Mt. Ashland turn-off.

So whether you like history, trains, touristy businesses, or cutting-edge industry, Ashland is home to all of the above and will gladly welcome you the next time you pay the city a visit.

Additional Sources:

Ashland Chamber of Commerce (2018). Ashland Business Resource: The Economy. Website: http://www.ashlandbusinessresource.com/

National Park Service (2019). Ashland Railroad Addition Historic District. Website: https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/ashland/rra.htm

Willford, Tyler (2017). Tunnel 13 in Oregon Has a Dark History and it’s Calling Your Name. That Oregon Life. Website: https://thatoregonlife.com/2017/04/tunnel-13-oregon/