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 Ashland's historical development began in 1786 when the Scotch-Irish Poage family settled here on the Ohio River and established the homestead known as Poage's Landing. The Poage family migrated here from the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, by way of Cumberland Gap. The settlement remained an extended-family community through the first half of the 19th century.
Urbanization of Ashland developed as a result of industrial expansion of the Ohio iron industries. In 1854, a group of Ohio industrialists joined with members of the Poage family to form a development company. Stockholders were found and the company was chartered by the Kentucky General Assembly as the Kentucky Iron, Coal and Manufacturing Company. At this time Martin Hilton was engaged as engineer to prepare a plan for the proposed city. Following the suggestion of stockholder Levi Hampton, the city was named Ashland, after Henry Clay's Lexington Home.
Ashland's two-mile walking or driving tour allows you to leisurely tour around the city, passing one historical site after another. You will be able to observe historical areas, both commercial and residential, that played an important role in the development of the City of Ashland. (Map available upon request.)
 The Paramount Theater was built in 1930 utilizing the design of a model theater created by Paramount Pictures for construction at the Chicago  World's Fair of 1932. There was to be one theater built in each of the forty-eight states, however, only three were completed. Ashland Paramount Theater is believed to be the sole survivor. The building is a remarkable example of the blending of classical and functional modes in the ornate style referred to as art deco. It now provides Ashland and the Tri-State with a wide range of entertaining and cultural programs.
The theater is now known as the Paramount Arts Center.
For Schedule of Concerts & Events Call
(606) 324-3175
A popular gathering spot, Central Park, is a 47-acre, wooded getaway in the middle of downtown Ashland. The land was sold to the City of Ashland in 1900 by the Kentucky Iron Coal and Manufacturing Company for $32,500. Until August 1923, the primary activity in the park was a horseracing track. In 1937 a pond was constructe d in the southeast quadrant of the park. In 1962, the pond was filled in with five feet of dirt. In the spring of 1995, the pond was excavated and was filled with water. The original water lilies that were planted in 1937 had come back in full bloom. Fountains and numerous fish species were added. Some are drawn to the park for its beauty, while others come to walk, run or participate in activities ranging from ice skating in winter to organized athletics in the summer. Horseshoes, picnicking and bird-watching are ways to spend time in the park. Music lovers often attend summer concerts at the park's bandstand.
The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center is a regional historical museum with an exciting twist! Interactive exhibits and display themes invite young and old  visitors alike to learn about the history of Ashland and Eastern Kentucky. In addition to the hands-on activities located throughout the museum, the Discovery Center offers pre-school and elementary children the opportunity to learn while playing in special exhibits including Po age Landing: Life on the River, The Frank and Margaret Adkins Aviation Exhibit, and The Riverbank. Other stimulating exhibits include the Music Quilt interactive sound wall sculpture, Dig Archeology and artifacts, Salute to Victory - World War II, and School Daze, the one-room schoolhouse. The popular Country Music Heritage exhibit features memorabilia and biographies of several well-known country music artists who came from towns either on or near US 23, including Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Hylo Brown, Billy Ray Cyrus, Patty Loveless, Tom T. Hall, and Naomi, Wynonna and Ashley Judd.
The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center attracts more than 21,000 visitors each year, and more than 10,000 children attend special activities - workshops, camps, traveling exhibits, events. An additional 1,500 students are reached by the museum’s outreach programs at area schools. Housed in the historic Parsons Department Store, the museum is located at 1620 Winchester Avenue on US 23. Museum tours are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 5 to 8 p.m. on the First Friday of the month and Mondays by appointment. Admission is $5 for adults, and $4 for seniors, students and children. Members and children younger than 2 are free.
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