The Downtown Ashland Historic District [†] in Ashland, Ohio, is a significant commercial and civic center that exemplifies the city's growth from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century. Its boundaries are generally delineated by Cottage and Claremont Avenue to the west, Second, Third, and Fourth streets to the north, Town Creek to the south, and Union Street to the east. The district centers on Main Street and includes 58 contributing buildings, featuring a variety of commercial blocks, government buildings, a former post office, banks, a school, and notable public amenities such as a fountain and a historic streetcar. The district is recognized for its architectural variety and intact historic character, and includes two properties individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places: the Myers Block-Home Company and the Ashland County Courthouse. The majority of the district’s resources maintain their historic commercial uses, with offices, retail, and restaurants occupying the ground floors and public or residential spaces above. The area is geographically and economically central to both the city of Ashland and Ashland County.[1]
Most buildings in the district are two to three stories in height, constructed predominantly of brick. The dominant architectural styles are Italianate, Queen Anne, Neo-Classical, Commercial Style, Gothic Revival, Art Deco, and Collegiate Gothic. Noteworthy examples include the Italianate 105 West Main Street (the earliest building in the district), the Queen Anne style J. Brubaker Company Block, and the late Gothic Revival First Presbyterian Church. Collectively, these buildings form a well-preserved streetscape that represents Ashland’s aspirations and prosperity during its period of significance (1859–1963). Restoration efforts have preserved the district’s integrity, with only limited alterations such as replacement windows and modified storefronts. Recent noncontributing buildings are largely late-20th-century infill on lots where historic structures were lost. Key public buildings include the Ashland County Courthouse (Neo-Classical Revival), the Ashland Middle School (formerly high school, Collegiate Gothic), and the Kinnaman Memorial Fountain.[1]
The district is significant for its association with the commercial, civic, educational, and transportation development of an inland county seat in Ohio. Major growth factors included the railroad, the interurban, and early highways, all of which cemented the downtown as the community's commercial and governmental hub. The district reflects long-standing commercial traditions typical of small Ohio towns, such as mixed-use commercial-residential blocks and buildings for fraternal organizations, along with the expansion of local industry into national prominence—most notably the F.E. Myers & Bro. Tool Works, which became a global manufacturer. The area also documents the evolution of Ashland as a center for government (courthouse, post office), education (school buildings), and religious activities (churches). Significant local figures, including industrialists and bankers, contributed critical buildings that remain district landmarks. Community gatherings, picnics, and civic celebrations traditionally centered on prominent public spaces and institutions in this district.
Key properties named in the district inventory (with addresses) represent the diverse character:
>The inventory includes many additional two-story brick blocks with intact Italianate and Commercial Style details. Period businesses ranged from department stores and pharmacies to banks, theaters, restaurants, law offices, and churches, while fraternal organizations and professionals occupied upper floors. Several significant buildings were lost to fire or demolition, but the district overall retains much of its historic scale and feeling.
Downtown Ashland's growth was closely tied to advancements in transportation and industrial expansion. The railroad, interurban line, and state and federal highways promoted economic diversity and attracted both national retail chains and local manufacturers. During its peak, the downtown served a population approaching 100,000 in its trading area. Over time, changes in American shopping habits, suburbanization, and transportation developments led to the departure or closure of several downtown businesses, but the district remains a testament to the resilience and identity of small-town centers. Today it continues to function as a governmental, commercial, educational, and religious anchor, preserving the community’s heritage through its buildings and ongoing uses.
† Adapted from: Bethany R. Carson, Heritage Architectural Associates, Downtown Ashland Historic District, nomination document, 2012, National Register of Historic Places, Washington, D.C.
Street Names
2nd Street East • 2nd Street West • 3rd Street West • Center Street • Church Street • Claremont Avenue • Cottage Street • Luther Street • Main Street East • Main Street West • South Street • Union Street