In Ashton, you can plan your trip around three different themes: local history, recreation in the parks, and events. The DeBoer Grocery Museum preserves equipment and memorabilia from the early 20th century. Part of the old train station also remains. In addition, there are various park amenities and the Ashton Town & Country Days, held every August.
Local History at the Museum and Around Town
The DeBoer Grocery Museum houses artifacts from DeBoer's Grocery Store, Knutsen's Clothing Store, Hoffman's Shoe Repair, and St. Joseph's Grade School and High School. The collection therefore includes items from a grocery store, a clothing store, a shoe repair shop, and a school. This gives you a concrete way to explore different aspects of local history as you plan your trip, rather than narrowing the past to a single business or institution.
The museum is also connected to a three-room house. Dating to 1882, it is furnished entirely in period style. Together with the artifacts from the businesses and schools mentioned above, the house offers a distinct historical perspective: the focus here is on the furnishings of a home, while the museum pieces come from a range of institutions. The partially preserved old train station is another historical point of interest in Ashton.
The Osceola County Freedom Rock is located in Wayside Park on the east side of Ashton. The Osceola County Freedom Rock project was created to honor and thank veterans. This gives you two distinct themes to consider when planning your visit: the museum and house focus on everyday life and local history, while the Freedom Rock is dedicated to commemorating veterans.
Parks: Fishing, Swimming and Sports
Ashton Wayside Park has a fishing pond and a fishing pier. Wayside Park also provides access to a gravel pit lake for swimming. If you’re planning time outdoors, fishing and swimming are two specific options at this park. The Osceola County Freedom Rock is also located in Wayside Park, making it a site of historical commemoration as well.
Ashton City Park, on the west side of town, offers a basketball court, a baseball field, play equipment, and public restrooms. Roadside Park, meanwhile, offers direct access to fishing areas and the dam. These amenities have different focuses: City Park centers on sports facilities and play equipment, while Wayside Park and Roadside Park are each explicitly associated with water, fishing, or the dam. You can choose based on which of these activities matters for your trip.
Events and Trip Planning
The Ashton Town & Country Days take place every August. If you’d like to plan your trip around this event, check the exact dates before making arrangements; the month alone does not determine when it takes place. Ashton T&C also plans activities for children throughout the year, including Halloween, Christmas, and Easter celebrations. These activities are another reason to pay attention to the relevant dates when planning your trip.
Ashton is between Sibley and Sheldon, just off Highway 60. This location helps you get your bearings without specifying a particular driving time or route. If you’re looking for a hotel in Ashton, you can first decide what brings you to the area: the museum collection and local history, park amenities, or an event date. If your schedule is flexible, you can weigh the historical sites against the different park activities; if you’re traveling for the Town & Country Days, check the event dates first.
Discover more nearby destinations: Sibley.
Return to the broader travel overview: Osceola County.
