Place Information
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Ashland is a town located just north of Richmond in Hanover County, Virginia., United States. The population was 6,619 at the 2000 census. Ashland is home to Randolph-Macon College (1830). "The Center of the Universe" is a popular thematic phrase displayed on signs in the town. History
Originally known as Slash Cottage, Ashland is located on the Old Washington Highway (a stage route between Richmond and Washington, DC) and the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, a busy north-south route now owned by CSX Transportation. The tracks run through the center of town, and the area near the Ashland train station is a popular train-watching site for railfans. Many citizens of Ashland unsuccessfully fought off a bid to build a Wal-Mart just outside of town (using pink lawn flamingos as an anti-walmart symbol), and they were featured in the 2001 PBS special Store Wars - When Wal-Mart Comes to Town. In October 2002, Ashland made national news as the site of one of the Beltway sniper attacks. 37-year-old Jeffrey Hopper was shot on October 19 at 8:00 pm in the parking lot of a Ponderosa steakhouse as he was leaving the restaurant with his wife. Research Tips
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