[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S6558]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               125TH ANNIVERSARY OF ASHTON, SOUTH DAKOTA

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
community of Ashton, SD, on reaching the 125th anniversary of its 
founding. Ashton is a rural community located in Spink County.
  The city of Ashton was founded in the summer of 1881. There are 
competing stories of how the town was named: one that it was named for 
the railroad official R.H. Ashton; one that a group of settlers from 
Boston named it for a town in England; and one that it was named for 
the groves of Ash trees in the James Valley. The first store was 
operated out of a tent by Mr. McPherson. The town grew quickly, with 
two real estate offices, a blacksmith, and two lumberyards soon 
constructed. The train arrived in Ashton in September of 1881, shortly 
followed by the telegraph. The post office was established on December 
8, 1881. Other early buildings on in Ashton were the Bowman House, CC 
Morris General Store, Basset and Kelly's Hardware, Anderson's Bakery, 
and Reed, and Kelsey's Drug Store.
  Ashton was named county seat of Spink County by the Territorial 
Legislature in 1885, though the seat moved to Redfield about 2 years 
later. The people of Ashton endured a series of disasters in the 
ensuing years. There were large fires in 1887, 1890, 1908, and 1910. 
Also, a tornado damaged much of the town in 1897.
  Today, Ashton is still a thriving community. There are many active 
businesses operating in Ashton, such as a seed and spraying store; 
plumbing, heating and sheet metal services; a post office; and 
neighborhood bar.
  The people of Ashton celebrated this momentous occasion on the 
weekend of June 16-18. 125 years after its founding, Ashton remains a 
vital community and a great asset to the wonderful State of South 
Dakota. I am proud to honor Ashton on this historic milestone.

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