Preserving the Past
Ever drive though cities and towns and wonder about the people that the squares were named after? Ashland has three squares honoring citizens who made a major contribution to our town. They are located in a close proximity to each other, and are used for memorial services and local events. The first one, Gordon A. Green Square, is located at […]
» Read moreAs we have visited Ashland’s past numerous times, I have spent a lot of time on the rivers that pass through us. The Sudbury is one of my favorites because it parallels Cordaville road across from my house all the way downtown and beyond. Despite all the efforts of various companies over the years to tame the Sudbury, and even […]
» Read moreIf you live in Ashland, or take an occasional walk through downtown, it must cross your mind who owned some of these old buildings? Think for a moment what life must have been like 100, or even 150 years ago. I love to walk in downtown Framingham, Hopkinton or Westboro, and wonder who were these buildings named after? Or what […]
» Read moreThere are a lot of streets in Ashland named after prominent citizens. Most were successful businessmen, clergymen, politicians, and the like but occasionally you’ll find one with an interesting story. This one dates back to before the Revolutionary War in the part of Ashland that was originally Hopkinton. We are looking at Frankland Road, and the story of Sir Charles […]
» Read moreYou can’t pick up a newspaper or travel our highways without seeing some reference to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). You have seen the roadside signs proclaiming the rebuilding of America by putting Americans back to work. Just the placement of the signs must have put a lot of Americans back to work. Anyway, the point […]
» Read moreWith all the concern over the recent Icelandic volcanic eruption I thought it was appropriate to recall our own brush with the “ash.” Only this one had nothing to do with Mother Nature. It was a little closer to home and goes by the name of M.W.R.A., or if you are not familiar with this locally beloved agency, it’s the […]
» Read moreI am constantly amazed at the power of Mother Nature. Every New Englander has felt her wrath in one form or another and I’m sure each of us has a story to tell our grandchildren. The Blizzard of ’78, Hurricane Bob, you name it. But the rain event of the last couple of days serves as a reminder of what […]
» Read moreI have had a lot of requests to do a story on the infamous “Pout Rock,” but in order to do it justice we need to look at the larger picture. Pout Rock is part of the Old Connecticut Path. A trail originally used by the Indians dating back before the early 1600s, Old Connecticut Path, or The Bay Path […]
» Read moreLiving in New England we are constantly surrounded by history in one form or another. Often it is a notable individual, or event, but many times it is a place. Ashland is rich with historic places. Pout Rock, the Witches Caves, Magunko Hill, Workmen’s Circle, all these places we have visited and more. We also have had our share of […]
» Read moreThere’s a long standing rivalry between Ashland and Hopkinton that spans generations. Most will recall it as the annual Thanksgiving Day football game, but this event dates back to our incorporation in 1846. August 13th, 1846 to be exact. From our earlier visits we know that Ashland was the result of land from Hopkinton, Framingham, and Holliston. When Ashland incorporated […]
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