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Ashland

A peacefil Northern Maine town surrounded by natural beauty and small-town charm.

1,202Population (2020)
81.54Square miles
1862Incorporated
North WoodsRegion

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Ashland is a town located along Route 11 in Aroostook County, Maine. It covers a land area of 80.4 square miles and sits twenty miles west of Presque Isle. The municipal offices are situated at 17 Bridgham Street.

Illustration of a hayfield with round bales and a small distant barn under a big sky in fall

About Ashland, Maine

Ashland, Maine is a town covering 80.4 square miles in Aroostook County. It is situated approximately 65 miles north of Interstate 95, and a 40-mile section of Route 11 continuing north from the town toward the Canadian border is designated as a scenic highway by the State of Maine.

Ashland has an estimated median age of 53.4 years. The community had 1,474 residents in 2000, 1,302 residents and 603 households in 2010 (with 733 housing units), and 1,202 residents by the 2020 decennial census, representing a decrease of 100 people or about 7.7 percent over that decade. Recent Census Bureau American Community Survey estimates record 563 households in the town.

Local Government and Community Services

The Town of Ashland operates under a Town Council and Town Manager form of government. Municipal leadership includes Town Manager Alicia Burby, Town Clerk Susan Jimmo, and Tammy Gagnon, who serves as Deputy Manager, Treasurer, and Tax Collector. The Ashland Town Council consists of Chair Sherri Calhoun alongside council members Tyler Michaud, Sharon Everett, Kevin Robinson, and Gerard Raymond.

The Ashland Town Office is located at 17 Bridgham Street (PO Box 910). Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and the office is closed on Friday. Residents and visitors can reach the town office by phone at (207) 435-2311.

Public library services are provided by the Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library, also known as the Ashland Community Library, located at 57 Exchange Street. In addition to serving Ashland and neighboring communities, the library basement hosts monthly meetings and historical artifact displays maintained by the Ashland Historical Society.

Education

Ashland is part of Maine School Administrative District #32 (MSAD 32 / RSU 32), which also serves the surrounding communities of Garfield Plantation and Masardis. Public school students attend Ashland District School, located at 180 Presque Isle Road, a consolidated facility serving pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Ashland high school students take part in the University of Maine at Presque Isle Upward Bound program for postsecondary preparation and attend career and technical education courses at the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center in nearby Presque Isle.

Illustration of a broad, quiet river winding through a valley of farmland and low rolling hills in summer

Local Economy

Forestry and education are major elements of the local economy. Irving Forest Products operates the Ashland Sawmill, a dimensional lumber facility employing 140 full-time workers with plans to expand to 220 full-time jobs. A modernization and expansion project is designed to double its lumber production capacity from 130 million to 250 million board feet annually. To develop new markets for structural round timber mass-timber products, the Town of Ashland received a $450,000 grant through the Future Forest Economy Initiative. In the public sector, MSAD 32 serves as a central employer for the community.

Outdoor Recreation and Cultural Sites

Ashland offers direct access to land and water recreation:

  • Aroostook River: Ashland maintains a public hard-surface trailered boat launch on the river, serving as an access and transition point for paddling routes connecting Masardis, Ashland, and Washburn.
  • North Maine Woods: A private woods road open to the public by permit stretches west from Ashland for 100 miles to Daaquam, Quebec.
  • Trails: The regional trail network maintained by the Aroostook River Snowmobile Club connects Ashland to Castle Hill, Washburn, and Presque Isle. The Ashland ATV Club, a Northern Region member of ATV Maine, holds monthly meetings at the Ashland Recreation Department.
  • Scopan Public Reserved Land: Located just east of Ashland around Scopan Lake, this area provides water access, snowmobile connections, and hiking on the Scopan Loop Trail.
  • Recreation Center: Operated by the Ashland Recreation Department, the center provides a fitness center, indoor walking, after-school activities, and community programs for Ashland and nearby plantations.
  • Ashland Logging Museum: Located along Garfield Road, this museum was established in 1964 by local residents to preserve the forestry heritage of Northern Maine and the North Maine Woods. Exhibits include a reconstructed 1880s double log camp cabin, a restored fire tower, Ashland's former town jail, a section of a King's Arrow Pine marked for the British Navy, blacksmith artifacts, handmade tools, a Lombard log hauler, and a restored Watson bottom dump wagon.

Community Events

Each year around the Fourth of July, the town hosts the Ashland Area Summer Fest, an Independence Day celebration featuring field games, live music at the bandstand, fireworks, and activities centered near the recreation center and local Fish and Game Club. The Summer Fest parade begins at Ashland District School and travels along Hayward Street, Exchange Street, Main Street, and Presque Isle Road. Later in the year, Ashland holds an annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in late November to mark the start of the winter holiday season.

Illustration of a frozen lake under a pale winter sky with a small ice-fishing shanty and a line of snowy spruce in winter

History of Ashland

Ashland's story began in the 1830s when its first Euro-American settler, William Dalton, established residency around 1835 near the confluence of the Big Machias and Aroostook rivers. By 1840, the settlement was organized as a plantation with forty recorded heads of household. It was originally named Ashland in honor of Henry Clay's estate in Kentucky and was incorporated as a town on February 18, 1862. In 1869, the town was renamed Dalton in honor of its first settler, before changing back to Ashland on February 3, 1876.

As the community developed into a major logging center, one of its earliest lumber mills produced two million shingles in 1884. The turn of the century brought further significant moments in 1901, when a major fire destroyed much of Ashland's business district. That same year, the town expanded to its current geographical boundaries by annexing Sheridan Plantation, which had originally been organized to the north in 1878.

See the history facts and their sources in Quick facts below.

Quick facts

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Population

2000 to 2020 Population Change
Ashland's population declined from 1,474 residents in 2000 to 1,302 in 2010, and further decreased to 1,202 by the 2020 Census.[1]
2010 Census Population
At the 2010 census, the population of Ashland was 1,302.[1]
2010 Census Population
At the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Ashland was 1,302.[1]
2010 Households
At the 2010 Census, Ashland had 603 households and 733 housing units.[1]
2010 Households
There were 603 households recorded in Ashland at the 2010 census.[1]
2020 Census Population
At the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Ashland town was 1,202.[1]
2020 Census Population
Ashland had a population of 1,202 at the 2020 decennial census.[2]
Median Age
The median age in Ashland town was estimated at 53.4 years.[3]
Median Age
According to Data Commons citing U.S. Census Bureau data, the median age in Ashland was 53.4 years.[4]
Population Change (2010–2020)
The town's population decreased from 1,302 residents in 2010 to 1,202 residents in 2020, a decline of 100 people or approximately 7.7 percent.[1]
Total Households
According to Census Reporter data based on U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates, Ashland town has 563 households.[5]
History (9)
1901 Business District Fire
In 1901, a major fire destroyed much of Ashland's business district.[6]
Annexation of Sheridan Plantation
Ashland expanded to its current geographical boundaries in 1901 when it annexed Sheridan Plantation, which had originally been organized to the north in 1878.[1]
Early Lumber Production Milestone
In 1884, one of Ashland's earliest lumber mills produced two million shingles as the town developed into a major logging center.[6]
First Euro-American Settler
William Dalton established residency at the site of the future town of Ashland in the 1830s, settling around 1835 near the confluence of the Big Machias and Aroostook rivers.[2]
Incorporation Year
Ashland was incorporated as a town in 1862.[2]
Name Origin
The town was originally named Ashland in honor of Henry Clay's estate in Kentucky.[7]
Plantation Organization
The settlement was organized as a plantation in 1840, when forty heads of household were recorded.[7]
Temporary Renaming to Dalton
In 1869, the town was renamed Dalton in honor of its first settler, before changing back to Ashland on February 3, 1876.[6]
Town Incorporation Date
Ashland was incorporated as a town on February 18, 1862.[6]
Government (9)
Form of Government
The Town of Ashland operates under a Town Council and Town Manager system of local government.[8]
Town Clerk and Deputy Manager
Susan Jimmo serves as the Town Clerk, and Tammy Gagnon serves as Deputy Manager, Treasurer, and Tax Collector.[9]
Town Council Chair
Sherri Calhoun serves as the Chair of the Ashland Town Council.[8]
Town Council Members
The members of the Ashland Town Council are Sherri Calhoun (Chair), Tyler Michaud, Sharon Everett, Kevin Robinson, and Gerard Raymond.[8]
Town Manager
Alicia Burby serves as the Town Manager of Ashland.[9]
Town Office Address
The Ashland Town Office is located at 17 Bridgham Street (PO Box 910), Ashland, ME 04732.[9]
Town Office Hours
Ashland Town Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on Friday.[9]
Town office location
The municipal office for the Town of Ashland is located at 17 Bridgham Street.[10]
Town Office Phone Number
The Ashland Town Office telephone number is (207) 435-2311.[9]
Schools (5)
College preparation and TRIO programs
Ashland high school students participate in the University of Maine at Presque Isle's Upward Bound program to support preparation for postsecondary education.[11]
Grades served at Ashland District School
Ashland District School is a consolidated public school serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12.[12]
Public school serving Ashland
Public school students in Ashland attend Ashland District School, located at 180 Presque Isle Road in Ashland.[13]
Regional career and technical education center
Ashland high school students are served for career and technical education by the Presque Isle Regional Career and Technical Center in nearby Presque Isle.[14]
School district governing Ashland
Ashland is served by Maine School Administrative District #32 (MSAD 32 / RSU 32), which also serves the surrounding communities of Garfield Plantation and Masardis.[13]
Economy (5)
Ashland Sawmill Expansion Capacity
A modernization and expansion project announced for the Ashland Sawmill is designed to double its annual lumber production capacity from 130 million to 250 million board feet.[15]
Local School District Employer
MSAD 32 (Ashland District School) serves Ashland and nearby plantations, providing educational services and serving as a central community public-sector employer.[16]
Major Sawmill Employer
Irving Forest Products operates the Ashland Sawmill, a major dimensional lumber manufacturing facility that employs 140 full-time workers and is expanding to 220 full-time jobs.[17]
Total Land Area
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town of Ashland covers an area of 80.4 square miles in Aroostook County.[18]
Wood Products Diversification Grant
The Town of Ashland received a $450,000 grant through the Future Forest Economy Initiative to help develop new markets for structural round timber mass-timber products.[19]
Landmarks (5)
Ashland Logging Museum exhibits and historic buildings
The grounds feature a reconstructed 1880s double log camp cabin, a restored fire tower, and the town of Ashland's former jail.[20]
Ashland Logging Museum founding
The Ashland Logging Museum was established in 1964 by local residents to preserve the history of Northern Maine's logging and forestry industry.[20]
Ashland Logging Museum historic equipment
The museum's collection preserves historic forestry machinery and hauling transport, including a Lombard log hauler and a restored Watson bottom dump wagon.[21]
Ashland Logging Museum King's Arrow Pine exhibit
The museum displays a section of a King's Arrow Pine, an old-growth tree originally earmarked for the British Navy.[20]
Ashland Logging Museum location
The museum is situated along Garfield Road in Ashland.[22]
Recreation (7)
Aroostook River Paddling Route
The Ashland boat launch serves as an access point and transition for paddling routes along the Aroostook River, including trips connecting Masardis, Ashland, and Washburn.[23]
Aroostook River Snowmobile Club Network
The regional trail network maintained by the Aroostook River Snowmobile Club connects Ashland to nearby communities including Castle Hill, Washburn, and Presque Isle.[24]
Ashland ATV Club
Ashland hosts the Ashland ATV Club, a Northern Region member of ATV Maine that holds monthly meetings at the Ashland Recreation Department.[25]
Ashland Public Boat Launch
Ashland provides a public hard-surface trailered boat launch facility on the Aroostook River.[26]
Municipal Recreation Department and Center
The Ashland Recreation Department operates a Recreation Center offering a fitness center, after-school activities, indoor walking, and community programs for Ashland and neighboring plantations.[27]
North Maine Woods access
A private woods road open to the public by permit stretches west from Ashland for 100 miles to Daaquam, Quebec.[10]
Scopan Public Reserved Land Proximity
The Scopan Public Reserved Land unit lies just east of Ashland around Scopan Lake, offering hiking on the Scopan Loop Trail as well as water access and snowmobile connections.[28]
Events (3)
Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
The Town of Ashland holds an annual holiday tree lighting ceremony in late November to launch the winter holiday season.[29]
Ashland Area Summer Fest
Ashland holds an annual multi-day Independence Day celebration around the Fourth of July featuring a community parade, live music at the bandstand, fireworks, field games, and family activities.[30]
Ashland Summer Fest Parade
The festival's signature community parade runs through town from Ashland District School, travelling along Hayward Street, Exchange Street, Main Street, and Presque Isle Road.[31]
Culture (4)
Ashland Area Summer Fest tradition
Ashland holds an annual Independence Day tradition called the Ashland Area Summer Fest around the Fourth of July, featuring a community parade, field games, and events centered near the local Fish and Game Club and recreation center.[30]
Ashland Historical Society exhibits and meetings
The Ashland Historical Society maintains historical artifacts on display in the basement of the Ashland library and holds monthly meetings there.[32]
Ashland Logging Museum heritage preservation
Located on Garfield Road in Ashland, the Ashland Logging Museum preserves the logging heritage of the North Maine Woods with exhibits that include a replica logging camp, blacksmith artifacts, handmade tools, and a Lombard log hauler.[30]
Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library
The public library in Ashland, known as the Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library or Ashland Community Library, is located at 57 Exchange Street and serves Ashland as well as neighboring communities.[33]
Transportation (7)
Aroostook Scenic Highway Designation
A 40-mile section of Route 11 continuing north from Ashland toward the Canadian border is designated as a scenic highway by the State of Maine.[10]
Distance to Interstate 95
Ashland is located approximately 65 miles north of Interstate 95.[10]
Distance to Presque Isle
Ashland is located approximately 20 miles west of the regional hub of Presque Isle via Route 163 and Route 227.[10]
Nearest Commercial Airport
Commercial passenger flights in the region operate out of Presque Isle International Airport (PQI), located in nearby Presque Isle.[34]
Primary Highway Route 11
Ashland is situated along Maine State Route 11, a major north-south corridor through Aroostook County.[10]
Public Regional Transit
Ashland is served by Aroostook Regional Transportation System (ARTS), which provides demand-response and scheduled regional bus transit across Aroostook County.[35]
State Route 163 Terminus
Maine State Route 163 originates at Route 11 in Ashland and extends east toward Presque Isle.[36]
Services (6)
Ambulance Service
The Town of Ashland maintains a municipal Ambulance Department that provides emergency medical services staffed by paramedics and EMTs.[37]
Fire Department Headquarters
The Ashland Fire Department is headquartered at 17 Bridgham Street and provides fire prevention, education, and response services.[38]
Local Health Clinic
Katahdin Valley Health Center operates a community health clinic in Ashland at 33 Walker Street.[39]
Police Department Location
The Ashland Police Department operates out of the municipal offices at 17 Bridgham Street in Ashland.[40]
Public Library
The Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library serves as Ashland's public library and is located at 57 Exchange Street.[41]
Public Works Department
The Ashland Public Works Department oversees municipal road maintenance and infrastructure from the town highway garage.[42]
Geography (11)
Aroostook River
The Aroostook River flows through the town, passing by the central village settlement of Ashland.[43]
Elevation
Ashland sits at an elevation of 722 feet above sea level.[44]
Land area
Ashland town has a total land area of 80.4 square miles.[45]
Land area
The town has 80.41 square miles of land area.[2]
Location
Ashland is situated along Route 11, sixty-five miles north of Interstate 95 and twenty miles west of Presque Isle.[10]
Location in Aroostook County
Ashland is located in northwestern Aroostook County in northern Maine.[2]
Surrounding communities
Communities and townships surrounding Ashland include Masardis, Oxbow Plantation, Portage, Nashville Plantation, and Garfield Plantation.[2]
Total area
Ashland encompasses a total area of 81.54 square miles.[2]
Total Area
The town of Ashland spans a total area of 81.54 square miles, consisting of 80.41 square miles of land and 1.13 square miles of water.[2]
Water area
Ashland includes 1.13 square miles of water area.[2]
ZIP Code
Ashland is served by ZIP Code 04732.[2]

Businesses in Ashland

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Map of Ashland

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Nearby communities

Garfield Plantation Plantation · about 6 mi away Nashville Plantation Plantation · about 7 mi away Castle Hill Town · about 7 mi away Masardis Town · about 9 mi away Wade Town · about 10 mi away Portage Lake Town · about 12 mi away
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Sources (45)
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  2. About Us - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  3. Ashland town - Maine - World Population Review — worldpopulationreview.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  4. Ashland - Data Commons — datacommons.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  5. Ashland town, Aroostook County, ME - Profile data - Census Reporter — censusreporter.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  6. Ashland - Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce — centralaroostookchamber.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  7. Towns in northern Aroostook County: history and early settlers - The Upper St. John River Valley — upperstjohn.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  8. Town Council - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  9. Town Office - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  10. Town of Ashland – Gateway to the North Maine Woods — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  11. History - University of Maine at Presque Isle - UMPI — umpi.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  12. Ashland District School - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  13. Maine School Administrative District #32 – Ashland • Garfield Plantation • Masardis — sad32.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  14. CTE Center List | MaineCTE — mainecte.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  15. Major expansion of Ashland Sawmill announced — globenewswire.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  16. Contact - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  17. FAME Approves Financing for Ashland Sawmill — famemaine.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  18. Census Bureau Profiles Results — data.census.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  19. Funding Market Expansion for Wood — Efficient, Renewable and Environmentally Sustainable - Northern Forest Center — northernforest.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  20. Travel back to the past, experience life in the North Woods at Ashland museum — bangordailynews.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  21. Can-Am honors northern Maine history at Logger Fest - Bangor Daily News — bangordailynews.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  22. Ashland Logging Museum - Undiscovered Maine — umaine.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  23. Aroostook River Paddling Route (Ashland to Washburn) - Maine Trail Finder — mainetrailfinder.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  24. Snowmobiling - Undiscovered Maine — umaine.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  25. Ashland ATV Club | ATV Maine | Maine, USA — atvmaine.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  26. Boat Sites: Public Boat Launches: Boating Opportunities: Water Activities: State Parks and Public Lands: Maine DACF — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  27. Recreation Department - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  28. Scopan Public Land Map - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  29. Aroostook 12-year-old raises $12,000 for new town holiday lights - The County — thecounty.me , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  30. Ashland Summerfest | Visit Aroostook — visitaroostook.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  31. Ashland to celebrate old and new traditions during annual town festival - The County — thecounty.me , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  32. Library - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  33. Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  34. About Presque Isle — presqueislemaine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  35. Aroostook Regional Transportation System, Inc. (ARTS) ~ Presque Isle Maine — travelmaine.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  36. Maine State Route 163 - Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  37. Ambulance - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  38. Fire Department - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  39. Ashland Clinic - Katahdin Valley Health Center — kvhc.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  40. Police - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  41. Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library - Maine.gov — maine.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  42. Public Works - Town of Ashland Maine — townofashland.org , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  43. Map of Ashland CDP, Maine - Thong Thai Real — thongthaireal.com , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  44. Aroostook County Elevations - Cooperative Extension: Food & Health — extension.umaine.edu , viewed Oct 9, 2026
  45. Census Bureau Profiles Results — data.census.gov , viewed Oct 9, 2026