I grew up in Hopkinsville, and have come back over the years to help care for my parents, tend their graves, and visit friends. The city is part of who I am. Even though I’ve practiced law in Louisville for 48 years, I still in many ways think of myself as a citizen of Hopkinsville/Christian County.
I watched the decline of Hopkinsville’s downtown with the rise of big box shopping centers on the outskirts and on-line shopping. This decline was not atypical; it was reflected in county seats across the Commonwealth. In recent years, however, I’ve seen Hopkinsville’s downtown become steadily more vibrant and visually interesting. It is again becoming a place where folks want to go. So many of you have poured energy and treasure into this revival. Thank you.
Long ago I had an afternoon New Era paper route that took me up and down South Main Street. I have memories of passing the Webber Building when I’d ride my bike downtown on Saturday mornings to turn my newspaper collection fees into the old New Era office. Those were the days when a group of us could ride our bikes to the Alhambra and see a movie. The Webber Building was always nearby — part of the landscape of youth. During my college years, I met in the Webber Building with Paul Turner about the possibility of going to law school. It’s a special place.
Tearing down the Webber Building — our oldest building — would be a terrible mistake. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. It’s part of our fabric. Another parking lot is not needed. I hope that someone or group can give the building a well-deserved new life through rehabilitation tax credits readily available from the Kentucky Heritage Council.
Richard “Dick” Clay,
Louisville
