Town of Ashland

On April 25, 1867, the Town of Ashland was officially incorporated. Residents did not like the considerable distance they had to travel to vote, so portions of Elmira, Southport, and Chemung were combined to form the new town. It was the last township incorporated within Chemung County. The Chemung River forms the boundary for nearly the entire eastern and part of the northern limits. Early settlers came to the area to farm the fertile river valley while the wooded hills were used for lumber and grazing. The Village of Wellsburg and part of the hamlet of Lowman are within the town’s boarders.

Ashland

Map of the Town of Ashland, 1869 Many residents wanted to name the new town Lockwood after early settler Richard Caton Lockwood, but he would not consent. Since Lockwood was a great admirer of Henry Clay, they named the town Ashland after Clay’s Kentucky home.
Wellsburg, 1893 The Village of Wellsburg is the commercial center of Ashland. Located on the west side of the Chemung River just south of the mouth of Bentley Creek, it was one of the first areas settled in the region during the late 1780s. It was incorporated in 1872.
Lowman, c. 1900 The hamlet of Lowmanville, a mile northeast of Wellsburg, was first settled in the late 1790s. Now called Lowman, part of the hamlet is within Ashland and part is in the Town of Chemung.

Town of Ashland

Map of the Town of Ashland, 1869

Many residents wanted to name the new town Lockwood after early settler Richard Caton Lockwood, but he would not consent. Since Lockwood was a great admirer of Henry Clay, they named the town Ashland after Clay’s Kentucky home.

Wellsburg, 1893

The Village of Wellsburg is the commercial center of Ashland. Located on the west side of the Chemung River just south of the mouth of Bentley Creek, it was one of the first areas settled in the region during the late 1780s. It was incorporated in 1872.

Lowman, c. 1900

The hamlet of Lowmanville, a mile northeast of Wellsburg, was first settled in the late 1790s. Now called Lowman, part of the hamlet is within Ashland and part is in the Town of Chemung.