HISTORIC DOWNTOWN

ABOUT

Historic preservation meets modern amenities in Downtown Ashland.

Railroad tracks course right down the center or our unique main street, making Ashland a popular destination for history buffs and railfans. The historic buildings and leafy trees that line Railroad Avenue provide a scenic backdrop for photographers.

Ideal for strolling (or pedaling), Downtown Ashland is pedestrian and cyclist friendly with wide and well-manicured sidewalks, crosswalks, benches, and bike racks. Free public parking is available in lots and on the street, and Ashland’s Visitor Center, stocked with information to plan your trip, is located inside the train station.

WHAT TO SEE & DO DOWNTOWN

RAILFANS

Railfans of all ages flock to Downtown Ashland to watch more than 60 freight and passenger trains each day. The quaint setting of Ashland’s historic district with the East Coast freight line running through the center is a unique attraction.

See our 7 Tips for Railfans to make your visit extra special!

Ashland Train Day is organized annually on the last weekend in April. Don’t miss the street festival and railfan extravaganza with train rides, model trains, rail history, live music, local food, and craft vendors!

HISTORY

Ashland owes its beginnings to the Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad Company, which first laid tracks to a mill near the Slashes of Hanover, birthplace of Henry Clay, during the Industrial Revolution. Rail gave rise to hotels, hotels to a village, a village to a town that became a popular mineral springs resort in the 1840s.

Officially incorporated in 1858, the Town of Ashland continued to grow and expand. In 1868, Randolph-Macon College relocated to Ashland, transforming the town from a resort into a small college town with a community and unique character all its own.

For more on Ashland’s history, visit the Ashland Museum and Hanover County Black Heritage Society. The Museum’s free Ashland, Virginia mobile app provides self-guided walking tours.