"The centre of the universe" a Ashland Travel Page by b1bob

In spite of their snobbish contention that Ashland is the centre of the universe, I like showing my friends from out of town the fine architecture, the intriguing cultural differences with the rest of the county, and fine dining opportunities.

This town in north-central Hanover County doesn't have a whole lot in the way of tourism the way international travelers on VT might think, but it is not totally barren either. Along Railroad Avenue, the railroad tracks bisect the street lined by houses (some old and elegant). There is also the interesting architecture at Randolph Macon College. Christian Boettcher Leipzig and I had more time to give Ashland a better going-over. We had a self-guided tour of many of the old houses and businesses, the college campus, and the predominantly black Berkleytown.

The first time many of you had heard of Ashland, Virginia is during the October, 2002 shooting spree of the sniper. At this crime scene, the Ponderosa Steak House on Route 54, the victim was luckier than most. He survived with major internal injuries. Ashland seemed to get more coverage of the shooting than others because it is a fairly rural town not used to that type of crime.

Ashland is a great place to make part of a day trip. Go to the visitor's centre and train station first and they will get you where you want to go.