The beginning of the exciting history of Ashland was rooted in the development of farms and mills to utilize the waters of the Sudbury River. Ashland's fortunes grew as industries changed from small gristmill and sawmill operations to paper and cotton mills, boot and shoe factories. Because of Boston's thirst for drinking water, Ashland soon lost its rights to the Sudbury river. This put the town in decline until small industrial plants came in and...