Ashland, Kentucky
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| Ashland | |||
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| Motto: A proud past. A bright future. | |||
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| Coordinates: | |||
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| Country | United States of America | ||
| State | Kentucky | ||
| County | Boyd | ||
| Settled | Poage's Landing, 1786 | ||
| Incorporated | Ashland, 1854 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | Stephen E. Gilmore | ||
| Area | |||
| - City | 12.2 sq mi (31.6 km²) | ||
| - Land | 11.1 sq mi (28.7 km²) | ||
| - Water | 1.1 sq mi (2.9 km²) | ||
| Population (2000) | |||
| - City | 21,981 | ||
| - Density | 1,984.4/sq mi (766/km²) | ||
| - Metro | 288,649 | ||
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | ||
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | ||
| ZIP codes | 41101, 41102, 41105 | ||
| Website: http://www.ashlandky.org/ | |||
Ashland is a city located in Boyd County, Kentucky, USA, nestled along the banks of the Ohio River. The population was 21,981 at the 2000 census. Ashland is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). As of the 2000 census, the MSA had a population of 288,649. Ashland is the second largest city within the MSA, after Huntington. Ashland serves as an important economic center for northeast Kentucky.
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[edit] History
Ashland's recorded history begins with the migration of the Scotch-Irish Poage family from the Shenandoah Valley via the famed Cumberland Gap in 1786. The family settled upon a homestead along the Ohio River by the name of Poage's Landing. The Poage settlement remained an extended-family community until the mid-1800s.[1]
In 1854, Levi Hampton, one of the founders of the Kentucky Iron, Coal and Manufacturing Company, suggested that Poage Settlement be renamed to "Ashland".[2] A name change was inevitable, as the city was becoming an industrialized region, not a mere 'settlement.' Hampton, who was an admirer of Henry Clay of Lexington and his estate, Ashland, requested the renaming to "Ashland" in respect of the farmer. It was accepted unanimously.
Ironically enough, the first child born in the new town of Ashland was named Ashland Poage, a mixture of the old and new names.[2]
The first post office was at Pollards Mill that opened in 1847.[3] Seven years later, it was renamed Ashland after the incorporation of the town.
[edit] Industrial growth
From its roots in iron manufacturing as a result of Ohio's pig iron industry, Poage's Landing became a center of industry for eastern Kentucky. It was not until 1854, however, that industrial development began with the charter of the Kentucky Iron, Coal and Manufacturing Company by the Kentucky General Assembly.[2] The company soon hired an engineer to lay out the new town of Ashland. M.T. Hilton was soon laid out the task of laying out the streets; at the time, Ashland was nothing more than a few businesses lining Front Avenue and a few residences scattered along the Ohio River and near the foothills. The layout was quite controversial at the time: 100 ft. streets were considered too wide for its time.
Major industrial employers in the first half of the 20th century included the Armco, the Ashland Oil and Refining Company, the C&O Railroad, Allied Chemical and Dye Company's Semet Solvay and Mansbach Steel.
[edit] Armco
One of the largest industrial developments in Ashland was announced in 1920.[4] President George M. Verity, president of Armco, proposed to construct a steel mill. When it was completed on October 19, 1923, it featured a continuous rolling method to produce steel sheets, the first of its kind in the nation. Armco later purchased the old Ashland Steel Company, followed by the Norton Iron Works and the old Ironton Furnaces.
In 1920, Armco employed 3,600 but just eighteen years later, that had increased to 5,500. In 1954, the payroll increased to 7,500 before decreasing to 4,500 by 1972, 3,500 in 1982, 1,630 by 1986 and just 700 by 1992.[2]
In 1925, the Ashland Culvert Works company was founded, later purchased by Armco and renamed to the Armco Drainage and Metal Products Company.[4]
On March 12, 1941, ground was broken for the Bellefonte Furnace. Completed in 1942 at a cost of $5 million, it produced 1,000/tons of steel per day.
In 1950, a $40 million expansion was completed. A new hot-strip mill was opened on May 20, 1953 that employed 3,000.[4] One year later, a cold reduction mill, strip pickler, light gauge zincgrip and a heavy gauge zincgrip was completed at a cost of $12 million. At the close of the 1950s, Armco announced another $95 million upgrade, later upgraded to $145 million. In 1963, the Amanda blast furnace was completed as part of the upgrade.[2]
In August 1984, Tom Gorder became the president of Armco's Ashland Works. Trying to stem the loss of 2,000 jobs in 10 years, he stated he would help consolidate Ashland and Middletown, Ohio's steel mills together in an effort to improve efficiency.[2] That resulted in the closure of the hot strip mill, however, a new slab caster was constructed that provided steel slabs for Middletown. The hot strip mill's closure in 1992, however, eliminated 930 jobs. The Sinter plant, cold strip mill, temper mills, pickling lines, annealing lines and machine shop all closed by 1995.[2]
In May 1989, Armco sold 40 percent of its company to Kawasaki Steel of Japan;[2] the remainder was sold in 1994 and the plant was renamed for AK Steel.
By becoming more efficient, the plant saw increasing profits. The workforce increased to 900 by 2004.[2] On April 2, 2004, Governor Ernie Fletcher announced a $40 million tax break that would help fund a vacuum degassing unit and modification to the slab caster, crucial to coke making and steel options. The modifications also made steel production for automobiles easier.
[edit] Allied Chemical & Dye Company Semet-Solvay Division
Constructed in 1912 east of the central business district, this coke plant featured 54 horizontal flue coke ovens.[4] Four years later, an additional battery of 54 ovens was constructed. In 1937, the two original 54 batteries were expanded to 60 each.
Another large expansion took place in 1953 with the installation of a third battery.[4] The 76 vertical flue ovens expanded capacity and increased employment. It was constructed by the Wilputte Coke Oven Division, which Allied had purchased only several years prior.
In the early 1950s, a research laboratory was constructed as well.[4]
[edit] Ashland Oil and Refining Company
The Ashland Oil and Refining Company was founded in 1924 and had purchased a small refinery near Catlettsburg that had a 1,000-a-day capacity.[4] Its first product was "Pepper" gasoline, later renamed to "Ashland."
[edit] Flooding
Following the flood of 1937, discussions for a new floodwall were initiated.[4] Construction began in July 1949 and was completed in December 1953 at a cost of $3.872 million.
[edit] Decline
In 1975, a proposal was floated to combine the governments of both Boyd County, Ashland, and Catlettsburg. It failed 12,514 to 2,518[2] due to the polarity between the two cities. A similar proposal soon after, titled Unigov, was soundly defeated.
The continued growth was not to last, however, as a downturn in the steel industry during the 1980s and 1990s left a dramatically smaller industrial base that has reduced the population of Ashland to just shy of 20,000. Those pillars of the city, such as Armco, now AK Steel, began reducing their workforce in an effort to stay competitive. The Bellefonte Furnace at the steel making plant was mothballed and the hot strip was discontinued.
Another major contribution to the population decline was the merger of C&O Railroad into CSX in the 1980s. C&O had operated one of the largest switchyards in the world in nearby Russell and Raceland. After the merger most of the local jobs were transferred to other parts of the country.
Taking the place of the industrial base that once supported Ashland is the service sector, namely King's Daughters Medical Center. It has expanded from a relatively small facility to the largest employer west of Charleston, West Virginia and east of Lexington. In the past ten years alone, the footprint of the hospital has been more than doubled.
[edit] Notes
- In 1925, a new city hall was erected at the corner of 17th Street and Greenup Avenue.[4]
- The government switched from a councilmanic to a city commissioner-manager form of government in 1950.[4]
[edit] Geography and climate
Ashland distinctly experiences all four seasons, with vivid fall foliage and occasional snow in winter. Average highs are around 88°F in July, the warmest month, and average lows are around 19°F in January, the coolest month. The highest recorded temperature was 105°F in July of 1954. The lowest recorded temperature was -25°F in January of 1994. Average annual precipitation is 42.8 inches, with the wettest month being July, averaging 4.7 inches.
Ashland is located at (38.464017, -82.641571).GR1
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.6 km² (12.2 mi²). 28.7 km² (11.1 mi²) of it is land and 2.9 km² (1.1 mi²) of it (9.18%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 1,459 |
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| 1880 | 3,280 | 124.8% | |
| 1890 | 4,195 | 27.9% | |
| 1900 | 6,800 | 62.1% | |
| 1910 | 8,688 | 27.8% | |
| 1920 | 14,729 | 69.5% | |
| 1930 | 29,074 | 97.4% | |
| 1940 | 29,537 | 1.6% | |
| 1950 | 31,131 | 5.4% | |
| 1980 | 27,064 |
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| 1990 | 23,622 | -12.7% | |
| 2000 | 21,981 | -6.9% | |
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 21,981 people, 9,675 households, and 6,192 families residing in the city. The population density was 766.0/km² (1,984.4/mi²). There were 10,763 housing units at an average density of 375.1/km² (971.7/mi²). 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.
[edit] Government
Ashland is governed by a City Commission and Manager form of government and is best described as a devolved government.[5] 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 the sanitation department report to the City Manager.
The Mayor of Ashland is currently Stephen Gilmore and the City Commissioners are Larry Branham, Larry Brown, Don Maxwell and Kevin Gunderson.[6]
[edit] Law enforcement
In the late-1800s, what is now the Ashland Police Department was organized during the town's reign as Poage's Landing.[5] The first executive officer was a town Marshall and was soon eclipsed by a professional police department.
The city of Ashland currently has 49 sworn officers, three civilian employees that function as administrative support and six parapolice that handle tasks that do not require the services of a sworn officer.[5]
[edit] Controversies
Jessica Thomas, then 23-years-old, was arrested in early 2006 on assault and drug possession charges. She claimed that she had sex with more than a dozen members of the police department while they were on duty. As a result, an internal investigation was launched. The police officers who were accused of sexual abuse were required to take a polygraph test; four officers confessed to "inappropriate behavior" and were suspended.[7] Nine officers, however, citing prejudice in the internal investigation, refused to take the polygraph. Those nine officers were later suspended.[8] Three of the officers that refused the test later resigned and one was fired. The officers that had resigned stated that in order to "keep their records clean", they were forced to quit the police force.[9]
Jessica Thomas would later plead guilty of all charges and is currently serving five years in prison for drug abuse.[10][7]
In November 2006, four of the nine officers that had denied the polygraph sued Jessica Thomas and eleven Ashland police department and local government officials claiming that they were the target of an "unfair and illegal investigation, intimidation and slander".[8] The lawsuit was filed in Boyd County Circuit Court after a similar suit that was filed in federal court in Ashland was dismissed in October because they were "not questions of federal law"; that lawsuit included 17 allegations of violations of the officers' constitutional rights.[9]
[edit] Economy
[edit] AK Steel
[edit] King's Daughters Medical Center
The fourth largest hospital in the state of Kentucky, the 385-bed not-for-profit institution is the city's largest employer at over 3,400.[11] It offers numerous inpatient and outpatient services for the region.
Another hospital, the Ashland Tuberculosis Hospital, was located south of the city and opened in 1950.[4] It featured 100 beds and served 18 eastern Kentucky counties.
[edit] Cityscape
Ashland's central business district extends from 12th Street to 18th Street, and from Carter Avenue to Greenup Avenue. It includes many notable buildings, such as the Paramount Arts Center, the Henry Clay Hotel, and the Ashland Bank Building.
[edit] Education
There are eight public schools and two private schools in Ashland. All public schools within city limits are operated by the Ashland Independent School District.
Ashland has six public elementary schools, those being Hager Elementary, Oakview Elementary, Crabbe Elementary School, Poage Elementary, Hatcher Elementary, and Charles Russell Elementary.
There is one public middle school, George M. Verity Middle School, formerly known as Putnam Junior High School. The campus is home to Putnam Stadium which serves as the home field for both the Verity Patriots football and soccer teams, and Ashland Tomcats football. The Ashland Tomcats soccer teams play at the Ashland Soccer Complex at the high school.
One public high school serves the city of Ashland; Paul G. Blazer High School, named after philanthropist and founder of Ashland Inc., Paul G. Blazer. The high school is home to the Ashland Tomcats and Kittens athletic teams. The school's marching band competes in the AAAA class of the Kentucky Music Educators Association(KMEA).
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.
[edit] Culture
[edit] Annual cultural events and fairs
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This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
- The Festival of Lights occurs at the Paramount Arts Center every winter.
- Poage's Landing Days
- Summer Motion
- Winter Wonderland of Lights
[edit] Historical structures and museums
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This section is a stub. You can help by expanding it. |
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. In addition, the Paramount was the setting where Billy Ray Cyrus' music video "Achy Breaky Heart" was taped.
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 also 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.
[edit] Media
[edit] Newspaper
The Independent is Ashland's daily newspaper with a circulation of more than 21,000. It was founded in 1896 in the river town of Catlettsburg by Col. G. F. Friel as the Tri-State Independent.[4] It moved to Ashland in 1900 to a building at 12th Street and Greenup Avenue and was renamed the Ashland Daily Independent; the first issue was published on December 17. Two years later, it moved to 17th Street; the Independent purchased the Ashland Daily News and discontinued it in that year.
In 1920, it founded the Sunday Independent.[4] In 1925, the structure on 17th Street was doubled in size.
The circulation in 1920 was 3,500, but increased to 17,000 by 1954 and peaked at 25,000 in 1980.[2] It now stands at 21,000.[4]
[edit] Radio
| Call sign | Frequency | Format | Description / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| W216AT | 91.1 FM | Owned by the American Family Association. | |
| WDGG | 93.7 FM | Owned by Fifth Avenue Broadcasting Company Inc. | |
| WCMI | 1340 AM | The owner is Fifth Avenue Broadcasting Company. It was founded by the Ashland Broadcasting Station whose owners were the Daily Independent on April 29, 1935.[4] It was sold to Nunn Enterprises in 1939. | |
| WOKT | 1080 AM | Located in adjacent Cannonsburg, it is owned by Big River Radio Inc. | |
| WWKO | Operated by the States Broadcasting Company, it went live on July 31, 1954. |
[edit] Television
| Call sign | Channel | Description |
|---|---|---|
| WKAS | 25 | Owned by the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television. |
| Daystar/WTSF | 61 | Owned by Daystar Television Network |
[edit] Parks and outdoor attractions
Ashland boasts a 47-acre wooded Central Park, founded in 1854,[2] 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.[2] The original water lilies that were planed 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 park at the former Clyffeside Park was envisioned.[2] 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.[2]
[edit] Transportation
[edit] 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 5,000 ft. runway with a 3,000 ft. clearance.[4]
Tri-State Airport, located in nearby Ceredo, West Virginia, provides commercial aviation services for the city.
[edit] Rail
- See also: Ashland, Kentucky (Amtrak station)
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Ashland. The major and only line that Amtrak offers in Ashland is the Cardinal. Amtrak Service is offered at the Ashland Transportation Center station, but it does not have an Amtrak Ticket Counter or QuikTrak Ticket Machine.
The former depot, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway depot at 11th Street and Carter Avenue, was completed in 1925 but abandoned in the 1970s in favor of a downsized depot in Catlettsburg.[4] It was only moved back to the former Chesapeake and Ohio freight depot in downtown Ashland in the early 2000s. The former depot, constructed in 1906 on the former Aldine Hotel site,[12] was an abandoned derelict.
[edit] Bus
Greyhound Lines is the sole provider of bus transportation out of Ashland. It operates out of the Ashland Transportation Center.
[edit] Public transportation
The Ashland Bus System is serviced at the Ashland Transportation Center at 13th Street near the Ohio River. The city bus system offers several lines:
- The downtown loop serves the Ashland Transportation Center, post office, Town Center Mall, and Melody Mountain.
- The crosstown line serves the Ashland Transportation Center, Midtown Shopping Center, South Ashland, and Scope Towers.
- The 13th Street line serves the Ashland Transportation Center, Midtown Shopping Center, and several points in Westwood.
- The 29th Street line serves the Ashland Transportation Center, King's Daughters Medical Center, Deboard Hill, South Ashland, the YMCA, Ashland Community and Technical College, and Midtown Shopping Center.
- The Catlettsburg line serves the Ashland Transportation Center, Scope Towers, downtown Catlettsburg, the Boyd County courthouse complex, Kenova, West Virginia, and downtown Ashland.
[edit] Roads
Ashland is served by US 23 and US 60, several state routes, and is in close proximity to US 52 and Interstate 64.
[edit] Notable natives
- Lynndie England, who was part of the Abu Ghraib scandal.
- Paul J. Fannin, a former Governor and Senator from Arizona.
- Jillian Hall is a professional wrestler who performs for World Wrestling Entertainment.
- The Judds, comprised of mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna, are together a country music duo. The city of Ashland features a public square at 16th Street and Winchester Avenue titled Judd Plaza.
- Ashley Judd is an actress and daughter of Naomi Judd.
- Although originally from Canton, Georgia, Sonny Landham is an actor and former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate. He currently resides in Ashland.
- Robert Smedley, also known as Bobby Blaze, is a professional wrestler for national and international wrestling organizations including World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.
- Brandon Webb is a pitcher for Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks.
- Chuck Woolery is popular game show host. A street in Central Park, Chuck Woolery Boulevard, is named after him.
[edit] References
- Historical populations from, "A history of Ashland, Kentucky, 1786-1954". Ashland Centennial Committee. 1954., and "Ashland City Directory." 1985.
- ^ "Attractions." Ashland Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. 2 Sept. 2006 [1].
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "A history of Ashland, Kentucky, 1854-2004." Ashland Bicentennial Committee. 2004. 2 Jan., 2007.
- ^ "Kentuckt Atlas & Gazetter." University of Kentucky. 8 Jan. 2007 [2].
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "A history of Ashland, Kentucky, 1786-1954." Ashland Centennial Committee. 1954. 2 Jan., 2007.
- ^ a b c "ASHLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT." Ashland Police Department. 30 Dec. 2006 [3].
- ^ " The Ashland Board of Commissioners Minutes 2006." City of Ashland 24 May 2006. 30 December 2006 [4].
- ^ a b Fields, Ben. "Thomas receives five years." Daily Independent 26 April 2006. 30 December 2006 [5].
- ^ a b Fields, Ben. "Thomas claims she was truthful." Daily Independent 15 November 2006. 30 December 2006 [6].
- ^ a b Fields, Ben. "Former officers renew lawsuit." Daily Independent 18 October 2006]]. 30 December 2006[7].
- ^ James, Mike. "Thomas pleads guilty to charges." Daily Independent 14 July 2006. 30 December 2006 [8].
- ^ "About KDMC." King's Daughters Medical Center. 31 Dec. 2006 [9].
- ^ Chappell, Edward A. "A historic preservation plan for Ashland, Kentucky." City of Ashland, Apr. 1978. 2 Jan. 2006.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Ashland, Kentucky website
- Ashland, Kentucky demographics
- Ashland Area Convention & Visitors Bureau
- ARMCO Steel Ashland Works history
