Ashland, Ore. — On Friday, NBC5 News aired the final story in a special five-part series highlighting structures in the Rogue Valley that many people might not know about.
NBC5 News went to Ashland where people have wondered about a little key shop near the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
A mysterious building located at 166 Hargadine Street near a residential area in the heart of Downtown Ashland has overgrown shrubs around it, dusty windows and peeling paint.
The old, empty shop has grabbed the attention of people walking by.
“It’s unusual in a town like Ashland which economically has been pretty successful for a long time, to have a building that sits vacant like this,” said local historian George Kramer.
The shop has been vacant for years.
“I can’t remember it ever being open for business and I’ve lived in the Valley for over 30 years,” said Kramer.
However, peek in the windows and you’ll see old rusted keys, remnants of the past.
“The key shop was the Edwards Key Shop built by a man named Oren Edwards,” began Kramer.
“He operated a key shop and bicycle repair store there from at least 1948,” he continued.
According to a write-up in the National Register of Historic Places, Edwards also specialized in lawnmower repair and locksmith work. His son then operated the business until 1982 when it closed.
Kramer said in small rural towns, when a shop closes, the owner locks the door and walks away and often the it leaves the store to become time pieces.
The labor rates are still posted on the back wall and shows a complete overhaul for a two or three speed bike costing seven dollars.
“To have that in Ashland, within walking distance of the Shakespeare Festival in downtown is really unusual and that’s why there’s a lot of affection for it, even though it’s just an empty building,” said Kramer.
It’s a building that remains under lock and key with a future that’s still somewhat of a mystery.
The key shop was built so long ago that zoning laws weren’t even established yet in Ashland.
As it stands now, the key shop does not have an active business license. It’s not built to the required setback rules and it’s not a residence.
Amy Gunter with the City of Ashland said until a change in use is proposed the building will likely stay the way it is.
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