Lithia Park, Ashland, Oregon

Ashland, Oregon is in the southwest section of the state. In fact it is almost in a direct line from Portland, and is one of the largest cities of the state. It borders California. Ashland is a popular college town with the Southern Oregon University. It is also home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Ashland was settled by Shasta Indians until the 1800's in which European settlers began to move west following the Applegate Trail. There were violent clashes with settlers due to the gold found in Rich Gulch, a tributary of Jackson Creek in Ashland. From the gold found in the area, the city began to increase in size to be the commerce city it is today. In 1887 Portland, Ashland, and San Francisco were placed on the same rail line. This line ran until 1926 when it changed routes to go through Klamath Falls.

Lithia Park is an attraction in Ashland. It has been registered with the National Historic Society. The park contains 93 acres of forested land sitting on canyon land around Ashland Creek. It stretches towards downtown, and ends at Mount Ashland. The name arose from the origins of Lithium Oxide or Lithia found in the stream water, which gets pumped into the park grounds. The park has two large green areas, a musical stage, two duck ponds, a playground, tennis courts, and an ice rink. There are also community buildings for shelter and picnics. Throughout the park are miles of hiking trails.

The area known as Lithia Park was established by Abel Helmen and Eber Emery. The entrance to the park was once the entrance to the flour mill the two had. At this time it was called Ashland Mills. However, the building depreciated due to disuse, and many wanted the mill and livestock buildings which were abandoned to be removed. The Women's Civic Improvement Club worked on tearing down the buildings to establish a park.

In 1907 the Lithia water spring was found at Emigrant Creek. A journalist even wrote about the natural springs which gained them popularity as a place to visit. In 1914 the Park Commission passed a bond to have the park landscaped and designed by John McLaren, well known at the time for Golden Gate Park.

The park has always been a place for residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor activities. In 1974 the park was severely damaged by a flood which uprooted a lot of the landscape. It took several years to repair the park, as well as improve the drainage. Unfortunately the work was not enough for the 1997 flood in which the park and Ashland Plaza were damaged. Work around Lithia Creek and parks bridges in the following years helped to decrease the chance of floods. Now Lithia Park is even more of a centerpiece for Ashland. During the summer months live bands, concerts, and other events are held during the evenings for free entertainment. The day allows for children to play around on the playground while their parents set up a picnic.