Does natural mineral water cure rheumatism? Early southern Oregonians believed it did. At one point, the Ashland area had five spring-water spas, one of them on Ashland pioneer Abel Helman’s property near today’s Lithia Park.

As It Was: Abel Helman’s Pasture Becomes Ashland Spa

Colorful vignettes dedicated to the regional history of Southern Oregon and Northern California. As It Was is an all volunteer effort -- produced by Raymond Scully and narrated by Shirley Patton in partnership with writers from the Southern Oregon Historical Society.If you have a writing background and would like to submit an As It Was essay for consideration, email your written piece to mrkrt@ashlandhome.net.A collection of As It Was essays is available in a high-quality paperback book at the JPR Online Store. Each episode is also available below.

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As It Was: Abel Helman’s Pasture Becomes Ashland Spa

As It Was: Abel Helman’s Pasture Becomes Ashland Spa