Ash, Oregon facts for kids

Ash is a small, quiet community in Douglas County, Oregon, in the United States. It's not a big city or town, but rather an "unincorporated community." This means it doesn't have its own local government like a city does. You can find Ash south of Loon Lake, nestled in the beautiful Southern Oregon Coast Range. Sometimes, people also call this area Ash Valley.

What is Ash?

Ash is a place where people live, but it's not officially a city or town. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it doesn't have its own mayor or city council. Instead, it's part of the larger Douglas County government.

Where is Ash Located?

Ash is found in the western part of Oregon. It's located south of a pretty spot called Loon Lake. The community is also within the Southern Oregon Coast Range, which is a series of mountains and hills near the coast.

A Look Back: The Post Office

Ash had its own post office a long time ago. It first opened in 1894. The community was named "Ash" because of the many Ash trees growing in the area.

How Ash Got Its Name

When the Post Office Department needed a short name for the new post office, the first postmaster, Charles L. Parker, suggested "Ash." This simple name stuck because of the local trees. The post office served the community for many years before it closed in 1934.

Life and Work in Ash Valley

The people of Ash Valley have traditionally worked in two main areas. These are logging and agriculture. Logging involves cutting down trees for wood. Agriculture means farming, like growing crops or raising animals.

Getting Goods and Services

Even though Ash is a community, it doesn't have many shops or services. Residents often travel to nearby towns for their needs. The closest town is Scottsburg, which is about 21 miles northeast. However, many people from Ash Valley go to Reedsport. Reedsport is about 27 miles northwest and is located right on the Oregon Coast.

Businesses in the Past

In 1915, Ash was a bit different. At that time, the community had a cheese factory. There was also a sawmill, which processed the timber from the logging industry.

Education in Ash

For many years, children in Ash Valley went to the local Ash Valley school. However, this school closed its doors in 1994. Today, students from Ash attend public schools in Reedsport.