Author: thekaintuckeean

This Just Happened, a weekly roundup (Happy Mother’s Day Edition)

My Mom walking the ‘Lil Kaintuckeean down
a Lexington sidewalk a couple years ago

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Kentucky moms and grandmoms out there!

To celebrate, the Louisville Slugger is going pink! [Courier-Journal]

It apepars that a superb series of television programs on Kentucky’s rich history will air on KET in the coming weeks. [KYForward]

In the words of Yoda, revisiting its alcohol-free campus policy UK may be. [LEX18]

Kentucky’s first trail town is Dawson Springs in western Ky. Can’t wait to visit [14News]

Plans for recovery for tornado-ravaged West Liberty [Herald-Leader/Tom Eblen]

A Franklin County farmhouse built around the original log-cabin saddlebag is undergoing the NRHP application process [LEX18]

… And From Elsewhere …

Abandoned Chicago landmarks Cook County Hospital and Brach’s Candy Factory face an uncertain future [WGN]

Philadelphia’s Woodlands is the scene for a new movie directed as a thesis project by a Temple U student [Bricks+Mortar]

An Update from the Garden

How does your garden grow?

The last time I wrote of my garden I was scouring through seed packets deciding and deciding on plantings. Now the raised beds are constructed after a long winter of caring for seedlings under indoor grow lights.
Through the use of the po’ man’s greenhouse (PVC piping and plastic sheeting), I was able to get a head start on lettuces, radishes, beets, collards, and carrots – some of which is ready for the tasting this Mother’s Day weekend.

Indoor Grow Light Setup at the Beginning

The seedlings under grow lights in the basement are ready to come forth, though a light frost anticipated for early next week may keep them nestled away a few more days.

This weekend should (fingers crossed) allow time for some final planting. So far, I’ve got plants in four of the five raised beds and many more of the outdoor seeds should be sewn over the weekend.
Hopefully, I won’t be so derelict in future garden updates. But more importantly, I shan’t ignore the garden. The sugar snap pea trellis was not in place until this morning – climb, oh sweet pea! Climb! 
Until next time.

Celebrate National Bike Month and Cycle to Work

The following column of mine appeared in the Jessamine Journal on May 8, 2013:

May is National Bike Month. Sponsored by the League of American Cyclists, National Bike Month celebrates “the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.” The idea is to encourage cycling for commuting to work or to school. Doing so can save money and is healthy for both your body and for the environment. Plus, it is a great way to explore the community that you might miss from the inside of a car. 

Next week, May 13-17, is Bike to Work Week during which those with bicycles are encouraged to bike to work. You don’t have to ride every day, and even cycling to work one day will have a positive impact. If you can only ride one day, May 17 is designated as Bike to Work Day. (But try to ride any day it works into your schedule). 

For me, I’ll trek the estimated 20 miles from my house to my office in downtown Lexington as many days as possible. I can comfortably ride the distance in just under 90 minutes accounting for traffic along the way. 

Without a doubt, US 68 – with the paved mixed-use path parallel to the highway — is by far the easiest and best route to take. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and all involved in planning that mixed-use route deserve accolades and should attempt to create similar conditions as other road projects are planned. 

But your route is likely different than mine. 

The rest of my column can be found at the Jessamine Journal’s website. Click here.

In Kentucky, Four Additions to the National Register and Two Newly Designated National Historic Landmarks

Each week, the National Park Service transmits a list of properties added to the the National Register of Historic Places. Depending on applications pending, there are weeks where no Kentucky properties are listed for inclusion. Some emails are full of Kentucky’s rich history. Such was a recent e-mail.

As I alluded to in one of my weekly roundup’s last month, two Kentucky properties were designated as National Historic Landmarks. This designation is the highest designation that can be afforded a property in terms of historic significance. With the inclusion of the George T. Stagg Distillery in Franklin County and the Camp Nelson Historic and Archeological District in Jessamine County, the number of Kentucky properties designated as National Historic Landmarks rests at thirty-two.

North elevation of the Liggett and Meyers Harping
Tobacco Storage Warehouse, Source: NRHP App./KHC

From Lexington, the Liggett and Meyers Harpring Tobacco Storage Warehouse (1211 Manchester Street) was added to the Register. Constructed in 1930, the warehouse sits on a six acre tract and was well-situated to tobacco storage. A rail spur from the L&N railroad ran to the property and, as preferred shipping methods changed, proximity to New Circle Road kept the Liggett and Meyers building relevant. The building itself is constructed in six segments with each segment containing 20,000 square feet. This immense structure was important to an industry vital to central Kentucky. Today, the building is part of the city’s growing Distillery District.

Ludlow Theatre, ca. 1975
Source: NRHP Application / KHC

The Ludlow Theatre, 322-326 Elm Street, is in the community of Ludlow in Kenton County. The Ludlow Historic District, added to the National Register in 1984, already includes the ca. 1946 theater, but the Ludlow Theatre is now individually listed. Of course, in 1984 the Ludlow Theatre (then less than 50 years of age) was deemed a non-contributing structure, yet the passage of thirty years has changed perspective. Consistent with much of the architecture built in the mid-twentieth century, the Ludlow Theatre is “largely a modest modern building
with little to characterize it within a specific style.” Architectural interest is found in the façade, however, as every sixth of the variegated brick projects slightly from the façade. The most significant change to the building’s exterior since 1946 is the removal of the marquee. This occurred around the time of the historic district’s inclusion on the Register, but can be more readily attributed to the theatre’s closure in 1983.

Hindman Historic District
Source: NRHP Application/ KHC

As Nate wrote, “There is no legitimate reason why anyone would ever stumble upon Hindman.” Though, remarkably, the National Register application remarks that “few Kentucky counties can match the education, literary, cultural, and political heritage found in and near Hindman.” With credits like that, one can imagine the variety of architectural styles found in the district. Much can be credited with three of the earliest Appalachian Settlement Schools being established in Knott County. So if one were to stumble into Knott County’s seat, they would find the sixty-one buildings in the Hindman Historic District, of which 40 are deemed to be contributing. They consist of religious, governmental, residential, commercial, educational, and health care purposed structures, though the majority are two-story residences and commercial structures built between 1903 and 1960. After this period, however, many older structures have been significantly altered or demolished and this has diminished the historic character of the community.


Buck Creek Rosenwald School
Source: Kentucky Heritage Council

Finally, the Buck Creek Rosenwald School in Finchville was constructed ca. 1920 as a one-room school house and was adapted into a residence in 1959 (the school had closed in 1957). One story with hipped roof, this simple structure was a Rosenwald school for African American children during the years of segregation. It was one of only two Rosenwald schools in Shelby County. Two contributing buildings – an outhouse for either sex – are also mentioned in the National Register application. The application also contains accounts of the school day from former students – a fascinating read! More fascinating is that the application was the project of Girl Scout Julia Bache in pursuit of her Girl Scout Gold Award. Well done, Julia!

A Slideshow from the Great Allegheny Passage

Me riding the GAP Trail between Ohiopyle and Connellsville, Pa. 

Last weekend, my brother and I rode our bikes on the Great Allegheny Passage – a rail-trail from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Cumberland, Md. Our ride covered 133 miles from Ohiopyle, Pa. to Cumberland, Md. and back.

It was an incredible journey full of history and natural beauty. I’ll post more on this trip later, but wanted to go ahead and share with you the photos.

If you don’t want to look at the pictures through the slideshow, you can view the flickr set here.

A Map Received with Gratitude: 1873 Colton Map is Unique

Colton’s Map of Kentucky (1873)

At least one colleague and friend discovered my interest in history through last week’s Herald-Leader article by Cheryl Truman. To my luck, the avid baseball fan and history buff had an 1873 map of Kentucky which he has graciously given to me. It originally belonged to his grandparents, and he knew I would appreciate it.

The 1873 map was published by G.W. and C.B. Colton & Co. of No. 172 William St., New York. I’ve reached out to noted New York bloggers and amateur historians, The Bowery Boys, to see what they knew about the cartographers or their locale in the early 1870s? So far, I got nothing. But a study of their website does reveal a picture from 1859 of William Street, which today runs from the foot of Brooklyn Bridge near Pace University downtown to Broad Street. 172 William, near the intersection with Beeker, is now predominated by Downtown Hospital. Here’s what it looked like a few years before the Coltons published by map from two blocks uptown:

NYC: William Street from Frankfort (via Bowery Boys)

I learned that J.H. Colton was an internationally recognized cartographer from 1831 to 1890. His two sons were brought into the fold in the early 1850s: George Woolworth Colton and Charles B. Colton.

G.W. and C.B. It looks like the two sons published the map which is seemingly unique. There are many Colton maps spanning multiple decades which combine Kentucky and Tennessee, but I’m not finding one of just Kentucky. Truly unique, at least per the University of Alabama’s historic map collection.

Do you have any information about this map?

This Just Happened, a weekly round up (Kentucky Derby 139 edition)

Yesterday in Louisville, Kentucky’s signature event – the fastest two minutes in sport – cofavorite Orb brought home the roses on a sloppy track [ESPN]

The Helix opens tomorrow in Lexington. No, it’s not a cool bar; it’s the parking garage next to the police department which has been undergoing costly but necessary repairs for months. [BizLex]

Evidence of cannibalism among America’s earliest settlers reports Smithsonian [TPM]

The sun shines bright on Lexington food trucks as steps are being taken to expand their footprint [Herald Leader]

A great photologue of Covington’s “front, back and side doors” with an eye toward improving entry to this northern Kentucky city [RiverCityNews]

Lexington’s Town Branch Commons had a huge public presentation last midweek. I missed it, but ProgressLex didn’t. Check out the video of the half-hour presentation! [ProgressLex]

Another thing I missed was the tour of the historic East End in Lexington – a hotbed of African-American history. Another tour is slated for June [Merlene Davis / H-L]

Art Abounds at Central Christian Church

This is part 2 in a two part series on Central Christian Church. The first installment discussed the building and the church itself with some interesting tidbits. An earlier post on this site commented on the prayer garden at the church.

“The Good Shepherd” Stained Glass Window – Central Christian Church – Lexington, Ky.

No longer visible from the sanctuary after a post-fire remodeling of the historic sanctuary of Central Christian Church in downtown Lexington, “The Good Shepherd” stained glass window is alit and visible in the evenings on Martin Luther King Blvd. and from a mechanical room on the church’s interior.

A platform in the mechanical room brings you nearly to the face of Jesus, carrying the lost sheep to safety. The powerful art and imagery at Central Christian Church are reminders of their faith, designed to deepen spiritual understanding. A publication, Symbols in Our Journey of Faith, examines the art in this impressive church, as well as its meaning.

Doorways depicting Moses and David

After ascending the stairs along Short Street, one encounters the hand carved doors made of American Red Oak. Installed in the spring of 1980, each of the six doors depict a different figure in the Christian (Disciples of Christ) faith: Moses, David, the prophet Micah, Jesus of Nazareth, St. Paul the Apostle, and Barton Stone. Each pair of the highly symbolic doors close beneath a tympanum complete with more Judeo-Christian symbology.

Another entry to the church is through the prayer garden – a common feature found in churches as reminders of the first garden – “Eden, when God and humankind lived together in a relationship of absolute trust and obedience.” The prayer garden was added during renovations to the church in the 1950s.

Upon entering the sanctuary at Central Christian Church, one is immediately taken by the most impressive collection of stained glass windows. Each is described in Symbols, but I will highlight a few. In the rear of the church balcony is the Empty Tomb depicting the Easter scene of the angel in white advising Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome of Christ having been raised while the three wooden crosses of Golgotha are depicted in the window’s upper left.

Behind the chancel is the most impressive of the windows: God at Work in the World. The upper portion consists of a rose window with a central depiction of the hand of God under a crown with the words from Genesis, “In the beginning, God.” Each petal in the rose window are representative of God’s work in the world. Below the rose window, Christ stands with outstretched hands – “and became flesh.” Several Biblical scenes surround the Christ.

Many other stained glass windows frame the sanctuary: Gospel windows, The Three Graces (faith, hope, charity) window, and several Maltese crosses included.

Centrally located behind the communion table is an ornate Celtic Cross dedicated in 1969. It is a reproduction of the St. John’s Cross at the Iona Abbey in Iona, Scotland. Handcrafted in Scotland, the cross itself weighs nearly 100 pounds. Ancient symbolism are engraved into both sides of the cross, though weight and display options limit viewing to only the one side. The Celtic Cross is typically associated with the Scottish Presbyterian Church, of which many early Disciples of Christ leaders were first associated.

Regardless of your faith preference, one must stand in awe of the beautiful sanctuary and structure of Central Christian Church. Like an onion, each layer of meaning and symbolism can be peeled away to reveal more meaning and symbolism in the church’s journey of faith.

More photographs of Central Christian Church can be found on flickr.

Sources: Central Christian Church (DoC), Symbols in Our Journey of Faith.

This Just Happened, a weekly roundup



‘Battle of the Bumpers’ goes to Transy; they’ve the most support on license plates among the independent colleges in the Commonwealth [Press Release]

The upgrades to the Distillery District in Lexington may run $23 million according to preliminary reports. The proposed District would revitalize a “historic – but long neglected – industrial corridor where there are no sidewalks, curbs, gutters, or streelights.” [Herald-Leader, Bev Fortune]


Another TV show set in Kentucky (1940s/50s era Ashland, themed on the red scare era) has been picked up by AMC. [Copious Notes/HL]

The Richmond Register will be an almost-daily, dropping Monday from its printing schedule [Richmond Register]

Coach ain’t gonna put Richie in; fmr. Ag. Commish Richie Farmer indicted by federal grand jury [Herald-Leader]

The historic Roebling Bridge linking Covington to Cincinnati will be closed for a couple days this week. [RiverCityNews]

I (Peter) been picked up as a columnist for the weekly Jessamine Journal. My first column is an introduction of sorts. [Jessamine Journal]

Lina Tharsing is “Making a New Forest”

Lina Tharsing “Making a New Forest Exhibit” at UK Hospital – Lexington, Ky.

The work of Kentucky artist Lina Tharsing is “driven by a profound sense of curiosity and a fascination with science, technology, and the natural world.” Her recent works, as found in the exhibit at the Chandler Medical Center, contain filmstrip-colored imagery inspired from the archives of New York’s Museum of Natural History.

The museum itself contains an amazing collection of dioramas portraying themselves wildlife in natural habitats. Many of these old dioramas can seem dated to museum-goers today, whose appreciation is for fast action. Though Tharsing does nothing to ‘speed up’ the dioramas, her unique interpretation of their creation itself resonates.

The paintings are described as seeking “a precise moment in both time and space when the lines of fiction and reality intersect.” The fiction is the creation: there is no bison under the dioramist’s arm as he carefully places his herd.

But to those who have constructed a school display or a volcano for a science fair, there is a connection to the real world. And yet, there is a connection to the divine as God found his creation “good” in Genesis. So, too, these dioramists and artists found their creation good. For decades, they have withstood time at the iconic New York institution.

By bridging the gap of reality and fiction, Tharsing is able to succeed where many artists fail. She creates a body of work where the call on the exhibit showcard can be achieved: “to study not the individual painted figures, animals, or props but to look through a window onto other worlds and landscapes, across place and time, and to find their own truths.”

Find your own truth in Tharsing’s “Making a New Forest.” It is presented by UK Arts in Healthcare and the art can be seen in the East Gallery of the UK Albert B. Chandler Medical Center. An opening reception will be held Friday, April 27 from 6-8 p.m. with details being available and reservations made on Facebook.

All of my photos are available on flickr.