Why We Call It Poage

Ashland's recorded history begins with the migration of the Scotch-Irish Poage family from the Shenandoah Valley via the famed Cumberland Gap in 1786. The family settled upon a homestead along the Ohio River by the name of Poage's Settlement (Poage's Landing). The Poage settlement remained an extended-family community until the mid-1800s.^[1]

In 1854, Levi Hampton, one of the founders of the Kentucky Iron, Coal and Manufacturing Company, suggested that Poage Settlement be renamed to "Ashland".^[2] A name change was inevitable, as the city was becoming an industrialized region, not a mere 'settlement.' Hampton, who was an admirer of Henry Clay of Lexington and his estate, Ashland, requested the renaming to "Ashland" in respect of the farmer. It was accepted unanimously.

Ironically enough, the first child born in the new town of Ashland was named Ashland Poage, a mixture of the old and new names.^[2]

The first post office was at Pollards Mill that opened in 1847.^[3] Seven years later, it was renamed Ashland after the incorporation of the town.

Information From Wikipedia
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