FYI Ashland

Ashland dates back to the migration of the Poage family from the Shenandoah Valley via the famed Cumberland Gap in 1786. They settled upon a homestead along the Ohio River and named it Poage's Landing. It remained an extended-family settlement until the mid-19th century. In 1854, the city name was changed to Ashland, after Henry Clay's Lexington estate, and to reflect the city's growing industrial base.

 

The city's early industrial growth was a result of Ohio's pig iron industry. It was not until 1854, that growth began to occur with the charter of the Kentucky Iron, Coal and Manufacturing Company by the Kentucky General Assembly. Major industrial employers in the first half of the 20th century included Armco, Ashland Oil and Refining Company, C&O Railroad, Allied Chemical and Dye Company's Semet Solvay and Mansbach Steel.

 

 

• Allison Anders, film director.
• Noah Adams, is an American broadcast journalist and author, known primarily for his more than thirty years of experience on National Public Radio.
• Jonathan Hughes[disambiguation needed], Founder of Olive Branch Recovery Alliance, Inc., a driving force in the recovery community.
• David E. Carter, entrepreneur and writer who is a considered an expert on graphic design, logo design, and corporate branding and the "pioneer" of trademark and logo books.
• Ric Collier, Registered Nurse/Paramedic Educator, Retired US Army - awarded the Soldier's Medal (highest non-combat military award for heroism) in 1978.
• Billy Ray Cyrus, country music singer, born and raised in Flatwoods, KY, a small community just outside Ashland.
• Trace (Neil Timothy) Cyrus, musician, formerly of Metro Station.
• Paul J. Fannin, former Governor and Senator from Arizona.
• Mark Fosson, musician/songwriter.
• Jillian Hall, WWE Diva.
• Mabel Hite, vaudeville and musical comedy performer
• Chris Jennings, running back for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL.
• The Judds, country music duo of mother Naomi and daughter Wynonna.
• Ashley Judd, actress and daughter of Naomi Judd.
• Sonny Landham an actor and former Kentucky gubernatorial candidate.
• Venus Ramey, the first red-haired Miss America in 1944.
• Charlie Reliford, Major League Baseball umpire.
• Julie Reeves, country music singer.
• Jay Rhodemyre, former National Football League center.
• Don Robinson, former Major League Baseball pitcher.
• Robert Smedley, professional wrestler for national and international wrestling organizations including World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment.
• Jean Bell Thomas, proprietress of the American Folk Song Festival in the Ashland area between 1930 and 1972.
• Michele Mahone, Entertainment Reporter, NINE Network, Australia
• Brandon Webb, pitcher for Major League Baseball's Texas Rangers, 2006 National League Cy Young Award winner.
• Chuck Woolery, game show host.
• Keith Whitley, country music singer.
• Steve Kazee, Broadway and film actor, known for his work in Broadway's Spamalot and for originating the role of Guy in the musical Once.

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