History Archives

Christian County, formed in 1797, was originally part of Logan County

by Jennifer P. Brown
July 30, 2020

When Kentucky was established in 1792, the commonwealth was divided into nine counties. Eight years later, there were 42 counties.

Hopkinsville’s First Street was previously named Last Street

by Jennifer P. Brown
July 23, 2020

Many of Hopkinsville's downtown street names were changed following a vote of the city council around 1886.

Longtime Hopkinsville newspaper editor wrote history of Christian County

by Jennifer P. Brown
July 16, 2020

Charles Meacham, a longtime Hopkinsville journalist and the city’s former mayor, wrote the last comprehensive history of Christian County.

Graves of Cherokee leaders who died on Trail of Tears discovered by Hopkinsville resident in 1954

by Jennifer P. Brown
July 9, 2020

Following their deaths in the winter of 1838-39, the graves of Whitepath and Fly Smith were marked by field stone and eventually became obscured by overgrowth.

Joe Dorris manhole cover pays tribute to ‘privy editor’

by Jennifer P. Brown
July 2, 2020

The manhole cover, which features images of Dorris and two sanitation workers from the early 1900s, can be found at the center of Ninth and Main streets.

Hopkinsville’s iconic clock tower built in 1924 after a fire destroyed the original structure

by Jennifer P. Brown
June 25, 2020

Today the building is the Woody Winfree Fire and Transportation Museum. It is operated by the Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County.

Hopkinsville native John Brim regarded as one of Chicago’s most talented blues musicians

by Jennifer P. Brown
June 18, 2020

Brim said he learned to play guitar while listening to Tampa Red and Big Bill Broonzy records.

Depression era physician built a swimming pool for black residents of Hopkinsville

by Jennifer P. Brown
June 11, 2020

Patterson Tilford Frazer Jr. was born on a tenant farm at Allensville in 1889. He earned his medical degree in Nashville and later practiced medicine in Hopkinsville, where he installed a swimming pool for black residents.

Music icon Little Richard played for Black clubs in Hopkinsville during the 1950s

by Jennifer P. Brown
June 4, 2020

As part of the Chitlin' Circuit, Hopkinsville was host to Little Richard, Ray Charles, Ike and Tina Turner and many other famous Black musicians from the 1930s through the '60s.

Robert Penn Warren’s short story ‘The Circus in the Attic’ has a Hopkinsville connection

by Jennifer P. Brown
May 28, 2020

An account related to Warren about John Wesley Venable Jr., the Hopkinsville man who assembled a model circus in his home, is believed to have inspired the character Bolton Lovehart in the short story.

KET features several programs to commemorate Memorial Day

by Jennifer P. Brown
May 24, 2020

A new film, about a Kentucky war hero and Medal of Honor recipient, is set for 7 p.m. Monday, while several on-demand programs are available on the KET website.

Alhambra Theatre constructed in 1928 as part of a municipal building

by Jennifer P. Brown
May 21, 2020

The theater opened in May 1928 to show silent movies accompanied by musicians in the orchestra pit between the stage and the auditorium. It closed within a year to be updated for sound movies.