Living in Ashland, VA
Located just 15 miles outside of Richmond, Ashland, Virginia, developed in the 1840s as a mineral springs railroad resort of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad. When Randolph Macon College relocated to Ashland in 1868, the area took on the role of a typical college town and began to expand from 1 square mile to over 7 square miles. The eventual construction of U.S. Route 1 and I-95 earned Ashland its local title as the "Center of the Universe," due to its well-connected, central location within the state of Virginia.
Housing in Ashland
Homes for sale in Ashland, Virginia, reflect the town's many phases, and there are still many large Victorian-style homes from Ashland's days as a railroad resort town. A renewed sense of pride in the town's history, spurred by its 125th and 150th anniversaries, lead to a surge in new construction over the last 50 years. Thanks to this recent growth, Ashland real estate includes many sleek, modern apartment buildings, in addition to larger Craftsman-style homes. The proximity of the Ashland neighborhood to Richmond, coupled with easy access to U.S. Route 1 and I-95, makes living in Ashland particularly desirable.
Things to Do in Ashland, VA
Ashland's history has been relatively well-documented over the years, and there are several historical attractions within town, such as Slash Church, the oldest church in Virginia, that was built in 1729 and remains open to the public; the town even has its own museum, the Ashland Museum, which houses a large archive of historical documents and artifacts from the town's past.
In addition to historical sites, Ashland, Virginia, also offers several parks and local events for residents to enjoy. Carter Park, the town's main outdoor area, covers 13.5 acres and features hiking trails, picnic areas, and a junior Olympic-sized swimming pool. A farmers market takes place behind Town Hall every Saturday between May and October, and holiday markets occur in November and December. Since 1982, Ashland, VA, has also been home to the Strawberry Faire, held every June, where vendors from around the state set up booths offering strawberry-themed goods. Attendees can enjoy performances by local musicians and a children's pageant as well.
