20th Century

During the first half of the 1900s, the population of Ashland declined. From a high of 1,558 in 1870, it fell to 769 in 1910. After World War II, however, suburban growth pushed the population higher again. Automobiles became more widely available, and major improvements to Route 427 made commuting for work easier. In the 1960s and 1970s, many people moved into new mobile home parks. Carriage Estates Mobile Home Park, which opened in 1973, had 210 home sites. Between 1960 and 1970 alone, Ashland’s population increased 35.6 percent. By 1980, there were nearly 2,000 people living in the town.

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Ashland

Ashland Town Hall, 1976 In 1974, the new Ashland Town Hall building opened on Sixth and Main Streets in Wellsburg.
Trolley Station in Ashland under construction, 1909 The Ashland Historical Society was formed in 2001. In 2003, it found a permanent home in the former Seeley Creek Substation of the Elmira, Corning, and Waverly Railroad on Lower Maple Avenue. The station was built in 1909, and was the hub of trolley operations in the area until 1930. Photograph courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society
Program from the dedication of the Ashland Historical Society, 2003
Trolley car in Wellsburg next to the Chemung River, early 20th century The Elmira, Corning, and Waverly Railroad began service in 1909 with a line running through Ashland. The last car operated on the line on March 31, 1930. Photograph courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society
Elmira, Corning & Waverly Railway package ticket Courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society
Maple Lawn Dairy milk bottle
The Protectograph Check Writer, c. 1916 From the collection of the Ashland Historical Society
Sign marking the first automobile fatality in Chemung County On July 5, 1914, Dr. Sherman Voorhees was driving with his wife Lilyan and 13-year-old son Sherman on Comfort Hill Road, then known as the ridge road, when he lost control of the car. The vehicle went over an embankment and fell 75 feet. Mrs. Voorhees was killed in the accident. Photograph courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society
Chemung River flowing over the Wellsburg-Lowman Crossover, 1973 Flooding is a regular part of life along the Chemung River. The residents of Ashland have experienced major flooding several times in the 20th century.

20th Century

Ashland Town Hall, 1976

In 1974, the new Ashland Town Hall building opened on Sixth and Main Streets in Wellsburg.

Trolley Station in Ashland under construction, 1909

Program from the dedication of the Ashland Historical Society, 2003

Trolley car in Wellsburg next to the Chemung River, early 20th century

The Elmira, Corning, and Waverly Railroad began service in 1909 with a line running through Ashland. The last car operated on the line on March 31, 1930. Photograph courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society

Elmira, Corning & Waverly Railway package ticket

Courtesy of the Ashland Historical Society

Maple Lawn Dairy milk bottle

The Protectograph Check Writer, c. 1916

From the collection of the Ashland Historical Society

Sign marking the first automobile fatality in Chemung County

Chemung River flowing over the Wellsburg-Lowman Crossover, 1973

Flooding is a regular part of life along the Chemung River. The residents of Ashland have experienced major flooding several times in the 20th century.