Ashland

Ashland is the county seat of Ashland County with a population of about 7900. The city is on Lake Superior, near the head of Chequamegon Bay. Ashland is known as the “Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin,” and a year-round public art destination. Ashland is the community in our real estate territory with the most diverse and constantly fluctuating population. With a hospital and clinics serving the larger area, as well as Northland College for environmental studies, there are more long-term rental properties here than in the surrounding communities. Landlords and investors are always active in the Ashland market. Ashland is an older town, with many older homes and a beautiful historic district with grand Victorian houses, many of them updated and modernized. South of Ashland you will find a large agricultural area with many active farms and smaller hobby farms, as well as many recreational properties close to the well-kept trail system. Ashland also attracts many fishermen, seen out on the ice with their ice shacks, and in their boats on Chequamegon Bay in the summertime. Downtown Ashland has many gift, clothing, sporting and specialty shops, as well as restaurants and hotels.

Homes for sale in Ashland, WI

“This will be the site of a great city,” Asaph Whittlesey boldly claimed in the 1850s when he built his home in what would later become Ashland on Chequamegon Bay.

Once a center for barter, shipping, and lumbering, the city today is best known as the “Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin,” earning the attention of tourists from all over the country. Homebuyers, on the other hand, are drawn to Ashland for its lakefront properties and ranch homes surrounded by woodland. Read on to learn more about homes for sale in Ashland, WI and the local lifestyle.

ABOUT ASHLAND

A lakefront city of almost 8,000 residents, Ashland straddles both Ashland and Bayfield counties in northern Wisconsin. Though it’s located within America’s Dairyland, Ashland is closer to Minneapolis, the Minnesotan capital (approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes) than Wisconsinite Madison, which lies almost 5 hours south of Ashland. The largest city close to Ashland is Duluth, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away by car.

A brief history

Chequamegon Bay, where Ashland is situated, used to be the home of several Native American tribes that included the Chippewa (also known as Ojibwe). They welcomed French fur traders and explorers. Then, in the mid-19th century came Asaph Whittlebey, one of the first men to build a home in today’s Ashland. He later served as a state legislator. At this point, Ashland was a part of the Northwest Territory, which was established in the late 18th century following the American Revolution.

Ashland was eventually incorporated as a city on March 25, 1887, about 33 years after it was established by Asaph Whittlebey. It didn’t take long for the city to grow. Apart from its strategic position along the shores of Lake Superior, Ashland was also connected to major centers as the terminus of the Milwaukee, Lake Shore and Western Railway. The city benefited from the old-growth forests that surrounded it; logging further propelled Ashland’s development.

Ashland, today

Today, Ashland is best known as a laidback community with unbeatable access to Lake Superior and other outdoor destinations. A renowned liberal arts college, the colorful murals in downtown Ashland, and the city’s string of annual events and festivals make the thought of living here all the more enticing.

HOMES FOR SALE IN ASHLAND, WI

Whether you want to live in a secluded lot deep in the woods, along the waterfront, or somewhere in between, you’ll find plenty of options among the many homes for sale in Ashland, WI. Although Ashland is a small city, the local housing market is characterized by varied real estate typologies as well as an assortment of architectural styles. Best of all, homes for sale in Ashland, WI are affordable compared to both state and national levels.

What’s in store for you?

Homes for sale in Ashland, WI include waterfront homes, rural properties located further inland, and single-family residences, which make up most of the local housing market.

The most unique characteristic of Ashland real estate is the average age of homes in the market. Many of the properties in the city were built between the late 19th century to the post-WW2 era, which makes Ashland real estate a treasure trove for anyone specifically looking for an older and perhaps even historic home. That said, the housing market does have its fair share of newer builds, constructed in the 2000s or more recently.

The architectural styles you can find in Ashland also reflect periods of the city’s development. Older homes in the market typically have more traditional styles, such as Victorian, Craftsman, and Colonial Revival. The post-WW2 construction boom in Ashland gave rise to Mid-century Modern abodes as well as Ranch-style homes. Newer homes tend to favor contemporary aesthetics.

LIFE IN ASHLAND

Getting around

Ashland’s accessibility has only improved over the years.

Two major highways– WIS 13 and US 2– connect Ashland to the rest of the state. The former travels south while the latter runs east and west. Several airports serve the region and are a reasonable distance from Ashland. These include Duluth International Airport (approx. 1 hour and 30 minutes away) and Gogebic-Iron County Airport (approx. an hour away).

Covering just over 13.6 sq. mi., it’s also easy to get around Ashland. Bus services operated within the city, with Bay Area Rural Transit (BART) as the primary provider of public transit in Ashland, Price, and Bayfield counties. Most residents, however, travel in and around the city through private transportation. Fortunately, there are many public parking spaces available throughout Ashland.

Cycling enthusiasts can take advantage of Ashland’s bike lanes and paths if they prefer to get around on two wheels. Numerous trails also weave in and out of the city. One of these is the 62-mile Tri-County Corridor Trail, which is open for bikes, horses, ATVs, as well as snowmobiles in the winter months. Parts of the trail pass through Ashland’s residential streets and then out to more scenic areas.

Climate

The four seasons all offer distinct experiences in Ashland. Summers can be hot and humid, while winter temperatures often dip below 30 degrees Fahrenheit. And due to Ashland’s location in the south shore of Chequamegon Bay, the city may experience lake-effect snowstorms during the colder months.

Residents and visitors alike enjoy milder weather during the spring and fall months, particularly June (just before peak summer) and September (cooler and relatively drier than the later parts of the year).

Schools

The School District of Ashland is the cornerstone of public education in the city. It includes four schools in its roster, namely: Marengo Valley Elementary, Lake Superior Elementary, Ashland Middle, and Ashland High School.

Private schooling opportunities are also available in Ashland, with the most prominent private school being Our Lady of the Lake Catholic School. The largest private school in the city, it caters to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The faith-based education the school offers has a focus on academic excellence and moral development.

Students who are seeking higher education can find several options in and around Ashland. Among the most notable is Northland College, a private liberal-arts institution that’s renowned for their environment and sustainability programs. It occupies a 220-acre rural campus in Ashland, with easy access to the Apostle Islands.

The other local option is Northwood Technical College’s Ashland campus along Beaser Avenue. Of the four Northwood Tech campuses, the one in Ashland is the smallest but offers students a central location in the city, close to both modern amenities and outdoor recreation.

Experiences and attractions

Just as advertised, Ashland has no shortage of outdoor activities, community events, and cultural experiences. Together, these attributes enrich the local lifestyle and quality of living.

The Historic Mural Capital

Ashland’s Mural Walk is a distinctive and celebrated feature of the city, highlighting its rich history and community spirit through art. The project began in the 1990s and has now expanded to include other parts of the city, from Ellis Avenue to Main Street, and on to the historic downtown district. Many of the murals were created by local artists, such as Kelly Meredith and Susan Prentice Martinsen.

Some of the most notable murals include “Asaph Whittlebey and family,” which depicts Ashland’s founder; “Lumberjacks,” which showcases the city’s logging heritage; and “Ore Dock,” which highlights the significance of the ore dock in the city’s development.

The entirety of the Ashland Mural Walk can be explored on your own as a self-guided tour. But if you want additional information, such as maps and guides, pop by the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. Many local businesses also offer these resources.

Fishing

With its location along the shores of Lake Superior, fishing is, naturally, a popular and beloved pastime in Ashland. Chequamegon Bay is especially known in the region for spectacular smallmouth bass fishing in the summer, which is also prime musky season. In the winter, ice fishing opportunities include walleye, northern pike, crappie, perch, and bluegill.

The best time to fish in the Ashland region, however, is during fall, when anglers pack up their kits and spend their days on favored spots along tributaries in hopes of catching different types of salmon and trout.

Take note that Wisconsin requires fishing licenses for individuals ages 16 and older. This can be secured from Wisconsin’s Department of Natural Resources.

Nature trips

Outdoor excursions are easy to organize when you live in Ashland with several destinations already located an hour (or less) from the city. Local favorites include:

• White River Boreal Forest, a designated state natural area where visitors can hike, fish, hunt, or observe local wildlife and fauna. In the winter months, the forest transforms into one of the prime cross-country skiing destinations within the Ashland area. Some of the birds you can spot in the forest include Cape May warblers, black-billed cuckoos, and wood thrushes.
• Houghton Falls, which is located about 20 minutes away from Ashland. This protected area’s showpiece is a massive sandstone gorge that dates back to the pre-Cambrian age. At the top, visitors can admire stunning views of the Apostle Islands. Houghton Falls itself is a sight to behold, especially during spring and early summer when you can really appreciate the water as it plunges to Echo Dells’ pools.
• Big Bay State Park on Madeline Island, the largest of the famous Apostle Islands. Those with their own watercraft can sail from Ashland to Madeline Island, while others can hop on the public ferry that departs from Bayfield. Big Bay is open all year round and presents numerous outdoor opportunities, such as camping, hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, as well as swimming. In the winter, you can enjoy snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing. Make a day trip out of this or spend a night or two under the stars.

The Ashland Area Farmers Market

For fresh and locally grown produce, there is no better place to buy from than the Ashland Area Farmers Market. It is typically open from May through October and held in downtown Ashland, at the parking lot of the Ashland Chamber of Commerce. This vibrant community gathering space is one of the best sources of artisanal goods and locally made products in the area.

Visitors don’t even need to shop to fully experience the market. Everyone’s invited to check out the food booths or enjoy the live music or entertainment of the day. Apart from being a local shopping destination, the Ashland Area Farmers Market is, above all, a place to socialize with other community members.

Annual events

Ashland hosts several annual events and festivals throughout the year to celebrate the city’s cultural heritage, community spirit, and natural beauty. Some of the most notable festivities include:

• Ashland Bay Days, the city’s largest summer festival. It features a variety of family-friendly activities, live music, food vendors, craft booths, a parade, fireworks, and more. Bay Days is usually held on Historic Main Street in late June or July.
• WhistleStop Marathon and Half-marathon, a scenic race that takes runners on a fall tour of the region, only with endurance required! In addition to the full marathon and half-marathon races, there are also shorter events open for participants of all ages and fitness levels. The marathon takes place on the Tri-County Corridor Trail from Iron River to Ashland. Whether you do the 21 miles or just the half-mary, you’ll run through dairy farms, forested trails, streams, and traffic-free neighborhoods.
• Book Across the Bay, a unique winter event that combines cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and walking with a literary theme. It usually takes place every February. Participants traverse a frozen section of Lake Superior illuminated by hundreds of ice luminaries, with checkpoints featuring storytelling, music, and hot cocoa. The event celebrates the beauty of winter in the Northwoods and promotes literacy and outdoor recreation.

COME HOME TO ASHLAND

Broad Street Brokers is thrilled to welcome you to Ashland, one of the jewels of Chequamegon Bay. We’d be delighted to show you homes for sale in Ashland, WI that meet your lifestyle requirements, or help you sell your property with your goals in mind.

We’re ready when you are. Get in touch with us at 715.779.3220, send us an email , or fill out this form to explore homes for sale in Ashland, WI with a homegrown real estate team you can trust.