Browse Articles (486 total)
Indians in Kentucky Weren't Residents
Over the years people have asked about the Indian tribes in Kentucky. In general I have said that there were no permanent tribes, but that the Shawnees came down from Ohio and the Cherokee up from North Carolina to hunt. Recently, in an article about Poosey Ridge, I did mention the Poos Indians from that area.
However, in an old book by Willard Rouse Jillson on Frankfort and Franklin County, I find a more complete story. According to…
However, in an old book by Willard Rouse Jillson on Frankfort and Franklin County, I find a more complete story. According to…
Christmas at the Turn of This Century
The practice of having a community Christmas tree in Richmond started in 1915. The Richmond Woman's Club recommended that a large, electrically lighted Christmas tree be erected in front of the courthouse. A committee of 70 citizens was organized, headed by Robert R. Burnam. The Elks Club donated the tree, and Kentucky Utilities furnished the colored lights.
At 10:30 on Christmas morning 1915, several choirs of the Richmond churches left their…
At 10:30 on Christmas morning 1915, several choirs of the Richmond churches left their…
Old Log Homes Still Stand on Red House
A drive down the Red House Road to Boonesborough will take you by a couple of very old interesting Madison County houses. They are the Hart house and the Lisle house.
The Hart house is thought to be the oldest remaining log house built in Madison County. It was built about a mile south of the fort, near the site of Nathaniel Hart's White Oak Springs pioneer station. In 1795 John Holley bought the place, but it was repossessed by the…
The Hart house is thought to be the oldest remaining log house built in Madison County. It was built about a mile south of the fort, near the site of Nathaniel Hart's White Oak Springs pioneer station. In 1795 John Holley bought the place, but it was repossessed by the…
Steep Grades Helped Cause End of Railroad
The last two Saturday Madison's Heritage columns dealt with the L&N's abandonment in 1932 of the old RNIB Railroad line which ran through Madison County. Reasons given were that the timber in Estill County and the coal around Beattyville were largely depleted, and that the distillery at Cliffside near Frankfort was closed.
However, in 1916, seven years after it bought the line, the L&N had built a much more level grade railroad line between…
However, in 1916, seven years after it bought the line, the L&N had built a much more level grade railroad line between…
Rail Line Closed by L&N in 1932
In 1932, at the request of the owner, the L&N Railroad, the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington examined the conditions of the 77-mile rail line that ran through Madison County via Valley View, Richmond and Brassfleld, and allowed it to be abandoned. Known as "the old Riny-B," it was originally the Richmond, Nicholasville, Irvine and Beattyville Railroad.
The original company had trouble from its start in the late 1880s, not meeting…
The original company had trouble from its start in the late 1880s, not meeting…
77-Mile Railway Once Served Madison
A headline in the October 3, 1992 issue of the Richmond Daily Register announced "Railway Line is Abandoned," something the people of Madison County already knew. The 77-mile railroad that started at Cliffside in Franklin County and ran through Valley View and Richmond on its way to Irvine and Beattyville was permanently out of existence.
The Interstate Commerce Commission had given permission some months earlier, and L&N officially abandoned…
The Interstate Commerce Commission had given permission some months earlier, and L&N officially abandoned…
1939 Reflected in the Paper
Here are three interesting news stories from May of 1939 as reported in the Richmond Daily Register.
On Monday, May 8, 1939, Richmond attorney C.C. Wallace, spoke to the Richmond Exchange Club at their weekly meeting at the Colyer's Tea Room on Second Street, about the growth of Richmond since he arrived here on May 8, 1882. Back in 1882 the population was 3000 and there were 10 voting precincts, one in the city, nine in the county. The second…
On Monday, May 8, 1939, Richmond attorney C.C. Wallace, spoke to the Richmond Exchange Club at their weekly meeting at the Colyer's Tea Room on Second Street, about the growth of Richmond since he arrived here on May 8, 1882. Back in 1882 the population was 3000 and there were 10 voting precincts, one in the city, nine in the county. The second…
Remembering My Father's Friends
The recent death of Mrs. Ed Wayman brought back a lot of memories of people of Richmond in the 1930s and 1940's. People who were mainly my Father's friends, but who also became mine.
Mr. and Mrs. Wayman came to Richmond about the same time as my parents (1928). They came from Cincinnati and Mr. Wayman was the manager of the United Department Store on the southeast corner of Main and Second streets. I remember the steps in the center of the…
Mr. and Mrs. Wayman came to Richmond about the same time as my parents (1928). They came from Cincinnati and Mr. Wayman was the manager of the United Department Store on the southeast corner of Main and Second streets. I remember the steps in the center of the…
Prehistoric Mound-Builders Probably 'Mississippians'
The Mound Builders of Madison County have been written up a number of times in this column. Details have been given about the Bogie mounds, the Moberly mound, and the one at Round Hill. In the foreword to the book, People of the River, by Michael and Kathleen Gear, much is given about the pre-Indian people called the "Mississippians." I believe our mound builders were a branch of this group. The mounds they built were not as large, but were…
Campbellism at Union City
Alexander Campbell was a Scots Presbyterian, who became a Baptist, and then formed his own church, known today as the Disciples of Christ (Christian Church). Some of his followers use the name Church of Christ. Other denominations called them Campbellites.
As we have written in this column, a number of Baptist churches in Madison County were divided over Campbellism. Some of them went over to the new denomination en masse, others lost over 50%…
As we have written in this column, a number of Baptist churches in Madison County were divided over Campbellism. Some of them went over to the new denomination en masse, others lost over 50%…
People Coped Well After '74 Tornado
How did Madison County people cope at the time of the terrible tornado of April 3, 1974?
Actually, there was not much panic, and there were lots of examples of unselfish hard work.
At the Telford Community Center, for example, some 50 volunteers showed up the next day, and they received from the people of Richmond all the food and used clothing that could be handled. Despite all the destruction of houses in the northern part of the country,…
Actually, there was not much panic, and there were lots of examples of unselfish hard work.
At the Telford Community Center, for example, some 50 volunteers showed up the next day, and they received from the people of Richmond all the food and used clothing that could be handled. Despite all the destruction of houses in the northern part of the country,…
Tornado Damaged White Hall Elementary
The tornado that swept across Cottonburg and Tates Creek around 7 p.m. on April 3, 1974, struck next on U.S. 25, just north of the 1-75 exit.
In addition to the Fitzpatrick service station and houses destroyed, it was particularly destructive at White Hall School, where it caused more than $1 million damage.
On the evening of the tornado, there were a dozen boys playing basketball in the gymnasium, as well as several adults who had come to…
In addition to the Fitzpatrick service station and houses destroyed, it was particularly destructive at White Hall School, where it caused more than $1 million damage.
On the evening of the tornado, there were a dozen boys playing basketball in the gymnasium, as well as several adults who had come to…
April 3 Tornado Claimed Many Lives
This unsettled April weather reminds nearly anybody who lived here 20 years ago of the terrible tornado of April, 1974. Seven persons were killed here and millions of dollars of damage was done in Madison County in just a few minutes.
It was during the afternoon of April 3. 1974, that weather reports were heard in Madison County which described several tornadoes moving eastward across Kentucky. Brandenburg, on the Ohio River, was the worst…
It was during the afternoon of April 3. 1974, that weather reports were heard in Madison County which described several tornadoes moving eastward across Kentucky. Brandenburg, on the Ohio River, was the worst…
The Ferry at Poosey Ridge
I knew about a lot of the ferries on the Kentucky River as it circles Madison County, but did not remember there being one at the end of Poosey Ridge. The road dead-ends at the river bank. However, I am now told that there used to be a ferry there.
As a matter of fact there were two — Upper Hunter's ferry at Poosey and Lower Hunter's ferry about a mile downstream. Opened before 1900 and run last by Thomas Warren, the ferry at Poosey closed…
As a matter of fact there were two — Upper Hunter's ferry at Poosey and Lower Hunter's ferry about a mile downstream. Opened before 1900 and run last by Thomas Warren, the ferry at Poosey closed…
What Happened 30 Years Ago?
Back in 1961 the Richmond Daily Register staff was made up of the following: Keen Johnson, president and publisher; T.B. Challinor, vice-president and general manager; Shelton Saufley, secretary-treasurer and editor; Randall Fields, city editor; Harry Johnson, advertising manager; Dudley Hendricks, city circulation manager; Mrs. Ru Bee, country circulation manager; and Mrs. Merle Winburn, society editor. And that was it.
At that time, Chester…
At that time, Chester…
