Journey back to a time of mineral springs resorts. Imagine a racetrack where Ashland Home now stands.
Ashland Home whispers tales of a town shaped by iron rails. It is a story of transformation and resilience.
Ashland, Virginia, named after Henry Clay’s Kentucky estate, was incorporated in 1858. The Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad developed Ashland in the 1840s. It was initially a mineral springs resort. A racetrack drew visitors seeking leisure and health.
The town’s original name was “The Slashes”. This name reflected the ravines carved by rain in the clay soil. Confederate troops trained here during the Civil War. The war devastated Ashland.
Randolph–Macon College moved here in 1868. The college revitalized the town using the old hotel buildings. The railroad rebuilt and offered monthly passes to Richmond. This encouraged city dwellers to build homes in Ashland.
In 1907, tycoon Jay Gould created an electrified interurban line. Ashland became a streetcar suburb of Richmond. The Richmond and Chesapeake Bay Railway operated until 1938. A former car barn remains as a vestige of this era.
U.S. Route 1 and I-95 further influenced Ashland’s development. Today, Ashland balances its historical charm with modern transportation needs.
One of Virginia’s oldest churches, Slash Church, is nearby. It was built in 1729. Ashland itself had a Free Church shared by various Protestant groups. Several denominations built churches after the Civil War. Many have since been torn down.
Ashland has several historic churches. These include Ashland Baptist Church and Shiloh Baptist Church. Duncan Memorial Chapel and St. Ann’s Catholic Church also stand as testaments to time.
In 2002, Ashland became a site of one of the D.C. sniper attacks. The incident brought national attention to the town. Ashland’s local newspaper, The Herald-Progress, closed in 2018.
Ashland sits near the center of Hanover County. U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 95 connect Ashland to Richmond. They also connect it to Fredericksburg and Washington, D.C. Virginia State Route 54 runs through Ashland.
Ashland offers local attractions and events. The tourist information center is at the Ashland railroad station. Ashland has been recognized as a great place to raise children.
Pufferbelly Park provides playground facilities. Ashland also holds the Strawberry Faire in June. Ashland Train Day occurs every year, too.
As you stand before Ashland Home, consider its place. Consider the mineral springs, the railroad, and the community. It is a location that has evolved. It is a place that maintains its charm.