History Archives

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.

Ky. soldier’s heroism, and 20-year campaign to recognize it with Medal of Honor, are subjects of documentary to air Memorial Day on KET

by The Rural Blog
May 20, 2020

On Jan. 25, 1945, he volunteered to be a forward observer to stop a German attack but had to call in artillery on his own position, offering his life for his country. He survived in a ditch in a French province and later returned home to a Kentucky farm with no electricity or running water.

WKMS bringing back ‘The Lost Communities of Between the Rivers,’ a documentary about the region before it became LBL

by WKMS
May 20, 2020

The documentary, featuring interviews with 60 former residents of Between the Rivers, will run at noon every Thursday, May 21 through July 2.

Philanthropist John C. Latham’s boyhood home became Virginia Park

by Jennifer P. Brown
May 14, 2020

A gift from Latham to the city upon his death in 1909 also resulted in the creation of Peace Park at the opposite downtown corner from Virginia Park.

Riverside Cemetery headstone reveals an interesting piece of Hopkinsville history

by Jennifer P. Brown
May 7, 2020

A search for M. Ted Jacobs Sr. on a popular cemetery research website provides details of his life here after growing up in New Orleans.