When it was known that Ashland was destined to be the connecting city, a major wave of building followed. Historically, when the railroad arrived from the north in early 1884 and three years later connected with the California line, Ashland became a major port of entry into Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Drew Fleming photoĪshland was final link in nationwide loop The park, which is dog friendly (dogs must remain on a 6-foot leash), is open from dawn until dusk.Ī dog-walker passes by Golden Connections in Railroad Park. The park’s design features the historic look of the old railroad era and is adjacent to the Central Bike Path. The park features a picnic shelter, restrooms, playground, half-court basketball court and a small wetlands area. Railroad Park covers about one and three-quarter acres and is located on A Street between 6th and 8th streets. For several years, members of the Public Arts and Historic commissions have worked cooperatively on the project to provide a connection to the history of Ashland by using site markers and artwork to honor specific locations, events, and people throughout the city’s four Historic Districts: Railroad, Downtown, Siskiyou-Hargadine, and Skidmore-Academy. Golden Connections comes after years of planning the “Marking Ashland Places” project for Ashland’s Railroad District. Golden Connections is also intended as “an offering of gratitude and a plea for forgiveness to the Chinese workers who faced discrimination and very difficult conditions while building these tracks,” according to a presentation to the City Council in April 2021 about the project, which previously passed through the city Historic and Public Arts commissions.Īccording to city records, the sculpture’s placement in Ashland’s Railroad District “serves as a historic marker and wayfinding point to provide a connection from Ashland’s history to its landscape today.” In addition to Golden Connections, five bronze medallions will soon be installed throughout the Railroad District commemorating historic sites, completing a “hub-and-spoke” historical marker project in the district. The top portion of the circle of iron is in the form of a twisting section of railroad track, signifying the topsy-turvy journey over the Siskiyou Mountains between Oregon and California. Historians say the connection fostered growth, prosperity and cultural connections in Ashland that had significant, ongoing impact.
The sculpture features a large golden spike driven into an 11-foot diameter circle of iron, symbolizing the final connection for Southern Pacific’s complete rail circuit around the nation in Ashland on Dec. Their design was selected in March 2021 by a special, seven-member selection panel from among three finalists, which in turn were selected from seven designs submitted in response to a request for proposals issued in December 2020. Golden Connections, which represents the transformative period in Ashland’s history when the city was chosen by the Southern Pacific Railroad as the main stop between San Francisco and Portland, was created by artists Jennifer Corio and David Frei of Cobalt Designworks of the Portland area. Dedication ceremony planned April 23 for ‘Golden Connections’ in Railroad ParkĪ dedication ceremony for Ashland Railroad Park’s newest public art installation, Golden Connections, is planned for noon Saturday, April 23, at the park.
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