Alice Peil Donates Steep Access to Ashland Plaza

For pedestrians walking along historic Granite Street in Ashland, the Alice Peil walkway offers quick access down steep stairs to the plaza below. The walkway was named for Alice Applegate Peil, the granddaughter of trailblazer Lindsey Applegate. Alice and her husband, Emil, moved into their new home in 1910, adjacent to the walkway at 52 Granite Street. Emil had a farm implement store at the corner of the plaza, and Alice was a teacher and principal in Klamath Falls. She became Ashland’s first female principal, and founded the Ashland Study Club, which worked to develop the library and laid the groundwork for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She also trained teachers at Southern Oregon Normal School, the predecessor of today’s Southern Oregon University. When her husband’s store began to carry automobiles in 1916, Alice bought one and became one of Ashland’s first drivers. Alice and Emil built a set of metal steps from their yard down to the family business in the Plaza. Neighbors soon found the path useful as well. Alice outlived her husband by 30 years and eventually donated the walkway to the city for public use. Sources: “Emil and Alice Applegate Peil House.” National Register of Historic Places.  Accessed 6/13/13; Miller, Bill. “’Tombstone Tales’ Revives the Past.” Mail Tribune, Medford, Ore. June 26, 2011; Stillwell, Craig. “Ashland’s Peil Corner.” As It Was episode. Aug.10, 2006.