Dr. Louise Southgate: Boone County’s Pioneer in Women’s Health
MARCH 27, 2026
We couldn’t let National Physicians Day pass without recognizing the incredible Louise Southgate.
Born on February 20, 1857, in Walton, Southgate was educated at Western College in Oxford, Ohio, and later earned her medical degree from Laura Memorial College in Cincinnati. As one of the first women physicians in the area, she established a medical practice in Covington, Kentucky, where she dedicated more than 35 years to caring for women and children.
Southgate was also an early proponent for birth control and women’s reproductive health. Beyond her private practice, she taught medicine, provided free examinations for underprivileged children, and led organizations such as the Emergency Association of Covington. Her work contributed to broader reforms in women’s health and juvenile justice.
In addition to her medical career, Southgate was deeply involved in the American women’s suffrage movement, working through local clubs and the Kentucky Equal Rights Association to advance voting rights for women.
Her legacy reflects a lifetime of service, advocacy, and leadership in Boone County and beyond.
MORE POSTS:
Caroline Williams: the Woman Who Drew Local History
MARCH 6, 2026
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting Caroline Williams, a woman who loved Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky so much that she spent nearly 50 years sketching their most beautiful buildings.
Born in Covington in 1908, Williams studied at the University of Cincinnati, the Art Academy of Cincinnati, and the Art Students League of New York. In 1932, she joined The Enquirer as a staff artist, following in the footsteps of her father, Carll B. Williams, who served as director of the paper’s art department. That same year, her first sketch debuted, launching a weekly series that would continue for 47 years.
Although her “Spot” sketches, accompanied by historic facts she researched herself, featured Cincinnati landmarks, her work also highlighted sites across Kentucky, including several in Boone County.
In 1945, Williams moved to Burlington, where she lived in a century-old log cabin. She even converted a former chicken house into a print shop to publish her own books. As The Enquirer’s Carole Valentine wrote in 1968, “In her own way, this talented person can be credited with preserving landmarks, many of which are fated to the bulldozer and wrecker in the name of progress.”
Williams passed away in 1988 at the age of 79, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of art and preservation.
Learn More About the Caroline Williams murals found at BCPL :
Step Back in Time with Walton’s Old Fashion Day!
FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Every generation eventually asks, “Remember when?” National Retro Day is a chance to celebrate our love of the good ol’ days while still enjoying the present. From fashion and cars to music and technology, retro style continues to inspire decades later.
Boone County has its own way of celebrating all things retro, classic and historic through Walton’s Old Fashion Day. The event began in 1973 as part of Boone County’s 175th anniversary celebration. It was created to honor local heritage with a parade, food, craft, and entertainment. Walton residents joined in the spirit by decorating storefront windows with vintage photos and family heirlooms, and even dressing in period costumes.
In honor of National Retro Day, we’re sharing images from the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. Pulled from our yearbooks, these photos capture memorable trends in fashion and technology you may remember (or maybe prefer to forget!). Tell us your favorite trends from back in the day. Be sure to explore our virtual exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of Walton’s Old Fashion Day.
Clinton Gibbs and His Influence on Cincinnati’s Music Community
FEBRUARY 20, 2026
In honor of Black History Month, we bring you a story about Clinton Gibbs – teacher, music director and lifelong musician. Gibbs made his career in musical instruction and performance in Cincinnati. He was born in Petersburg, KY, on August 7, 1892 to James and Frances Gibbs. By 1900, the family had moved to a Walnut Hills neighborhood in Cincinnati. Gibbs studied piano at Holderoach College, and studied organ under Prower Symon.
In 1926, Gibbs became the organist for the African American First Baptist Church in Walnut Hills. He also served as organist choirmaster at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Cincinnati and director of the Queen City Glee Club. He directed the Cincinnati Masonic Chorus at the 100th Annual Communication of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio. He taught in several music schools including the Lilian Aldrich Settlement School of Music and gave private piano lessons out of his home. Gibbs became the vice president of the Cincinnati branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians.
In addition, Gibbs prepared and directed the chorus each year for the June Festival for Negro Music. The event was an outdoor choral festival that was held in Cincinnati for almost two decades, starting in 1938. He died in 1970.
Honoring James Rile on National Violin Day
DECEMBER 12, 2025
National Violin Day makes a perfect time to celebrate the small, but versatile instrument capable of expressing joy, sorrow, and everything in between. For James Rile, though not a master musician, the violin was one of his most treasured possessions. In a life marked by hardship, it offered moments of peace and dignity. Born into slavery in Boone County in 1828, Rile escaped the Marshall farm at the age of 17. Pennsylvania records show he enlisted in the Union Army in 1863, serving more than three years in Company 1, 45th Infantry. After the war, he returned to Boone County, only to find his family had moved to Oxford, Ohio. Rile joined them there, married Emmaline Ore, and together they raised 12 children. Many remember him for his fiddle playing, and he took pride in owning a violin that was over 150 years old.
A Boone County Tradition: Burlington Elementary’s Parade of Characters
OCTOBER 17, 2025
Since the 1930s, students at Burlington Elementary have celebrated Halloween with their Fall Parade of Characters. Maybe you—or even your children—took part in it not too long ago.
Back in the 1930s and early 1940s, Halloween was a stressful time. Kids were urged to avoid “Cabbage Night” mischief like soaping windows or vandalism. They were instructed to have fun but not be destructive. In response, local schools and organizations began hosting Halloween parties instead. In 1937, the Boone County Recorder reported on a very successful Halloween celebration at Burlington School, noting that “the parade in costume was the colorful event which all were glad to see and take part in.”
For more than 80 years, Burlington Elementary has kept that tradition alive with its annual Fall Parade of Characters. This year, the parade will be held on Halloween, Oct. 31, at 1:30 p.m. While no candy will be handed out, the public is invited to cheer on the students as they parade through Burlington Square and perform their much-anticipated annual “Thriller” dance.
Did you ever march in the Parade of Characters? Read more about the history of the parade in the NKY Tribune.
The Haunting of Renaker House
OCTOBER 9, 2025
Boone County doesn’t fall short when it comes to ghost stories – from the House of Death in Petersburg to the lingering spirits at Big Bone Lick State Park.
One such site is the Renaker House in Burlington, where paranormal activity has long been reported: unexplained odors, mysterious sounds and even spectral figures.
Built in 1830 by Benjamin Piatt Fowler, the home first operated as a hotel, the Boone House, for four decades. In 1870, Fountain Riddell purchased the property, which later passed to his daughter Henrietta and her husband, A.B. Renaker. Visitors have described the smell of cigar smoke and the scent of flowers. Renaker was known to enjoy a good cigar. And the scent of flowers, perhaps tied to Riddell’s funeral once held in the front parlor. Clock chimes and the voice of a woman have also been heard, accompanied by cold drafts and an unmistakable feeling of unease. Most chilling of all, the apparition of a woman dressed in 1940s clothing has been seen walking through the front hall and out the door.
Have you ever encountered something unexplained, or maybe even paranormal, at a site in Boone County?
From Boone County to Canada: One Family’s Escape to Freedom
SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
International Underground Railroad Month is a time to honor the bravery and determination of those who risked everything in the pursuit of freedom. Boone County holds many powerful stories from this history, including the remarkable journey of Joseph Terrill.
In an interview for a Syracuse newspaper at the age of 105, Terrill recounted his life’s story of enslavement and his daring escape to Canada.
Born in 1804 on Judge Terrill’s plantation in Boone County, Joseph was considered trustworthy and often managed responsibilities on the estate. After the judge’s death, Joseph was even sent across the Ohio River on errands for the widow. But when Joseph learned he was to be sold, he planned his escape.
On a Saturday night in 1837, Joseph and his five sisters made their escape. With the help of abolitionists, they crossed the Ohio River into freedom. In Circleville, Ohio, a miller smuggled them aboard his boat headed for Cleveland. From there, they boarded a steamboat to Detroit and straight to the Canadian border.
Joseph later settled in Syracuse, New York, where he raised his family and lived well past 100 years old, claiming to have reached the age of 118. His story stands as a testament to courage, resilience and the unshakable hope for freedom.
The Constance School PTA’s Lasting Legacy
AUGUST 22, 2025
The Constance School, once located in the northern Boone County riverfront community of Constance, Kentucky, served generations of students. Its story wouldn’t be complete without the Constance PTA.
Formed in the mid-1920s, the PTA initially focused on managing the school’s lunchroom. But its role quickly expanded, becoming a driving force behind a whole host of improvements to the school. PTA meeting records show discussions around health, water quality, and the push to modernize with indoor plumbing.
Thanks to their efforts, the PTA helped provide everything from books and playground equipment to a piano, window screens, a screen door, and essential classroom supplies like a medicine cabinet, pencil sharpeners, and paper goods.
Familiar names like Mr. and Mrs. Ralph V. Lents, both teachers at Constance School, were regular participants in PTA meetings. (Years later, the Lents family would donate land to help build the county’s first library in Hebron.)
Check out the blog to learn how the Constance PTA helped the school navigate the Great Depression and continued to adapt to the changing needs of students and staff.
Moon Day Memories: Boone County’s Link to Apollo 11
JULY 18, 2025
Fifty-six years ago, the United States took a “giant leap” into the future when three American astronauts landed on the moon.
Launching on July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 reached the moon’s surface 4 days later. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin spent 2.5 hours outside the spacecraft, collecting 47.5 pounds of lunar rock which was brought back to Earth to be studied.
Each year on July 20, which falls on a Sunday this year, we commemorate that major achievement and look ahead to future missions in space exploration.
While Neil Armstrong was from Ohio, Boone County has its own connection to this milestone in history. James M. Huey, Jr., a native of Walton and graduate of Simon Kenton High School, was just 24 years old at the time. After earning his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Kentucky and a master’s from Carnegie Tech, Huey pursued a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry at Carnegie Mellon. During that time, he was selected as a NASA fellow and joined a team of chemists tasked with analyzing the moon rocks brought back by Apollo 11. Huey developed a method for determining lead and thallium content in lunar material. He later returned to UK to earn a medical degree.
The photo featured today shows a letter dated July 21, 1969, discovered in one of our local collections. Written the day after the moon landing, the author apologizes for her delayed reply blaming it on being distracted by the big event. As she put it: “Moon Day – wasn’t it marvelous!”
Frontier Worlds: The Amusement Park That Never Was
JULY 11, 2025
Boone County would be home to a large amusement park according to an announcement made in 1968. The concept for Frontier Worlds, as the park was to be called, was conceived by Fess Parker, the actor best known for portraying Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Parker purchased 76 acres, and secured an option on an additional 1,500 acres in the Walton area. The project was a journey through the frontiers of American history. Attractions would begin with the landing of the Mayflower and end in a futuristic, space-themed section.
Sadly, the publicity Parker generated backfired. The Wachs family, owners of Cincinnati’s Coney Island, had been considering a move due to flooding and limited parking. The 1968 announcement of the Frontier Worlds project prompted the family to act quickly. Later that year, Taft Broadcasting purchased Coney Island and began developing Kings Island in nearby Warren County. Frontier Worlds was a dream that never came to life.
Celebrating African American Music Month
JUNE 27, 2025
June is African American Music Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of African American musicians, composers, singers and songwriters across the United States. Let’s recognize the impact of Black music in a variety of genres such as rap, jazz, soul, funk, hip hop, rock, and more.
One notable example from Boone County’s own musical history is the Zeller Brothers Band. Originally known as the Zeller String Band, the group was comprised of male members of the Zeller family, and the occasional friend or two. While Boone County was largely segregated, the Zellers were in high demand for social gatherings in all corners of the county.
Unlike many musicians hired simply as background performers, The Zeller Brothers’ musical mastery was the main attraction. The newspaper often carried advertisements disguised as neighborhood news promoting regular events featuring the popular group. They were the go-to dance band! One 1912 article in the Boone County Recorder described “flying feet keeping time to sweet music” performed by the talented Zeller brothers. The earliest mention of the group was found in the late 1890s, but their performances were ongoing in Boone County into the late 1940s.
As radio became affordable for the masses, it gave widespread exposure to entertainers far and wide. The Zeller Brothers were called upon to give live performances in the studio at WCKY several times over the years.
The Brave Legacy of Chief Byron Kinman
MAY 16, 2025
As we observe National Police Week, we want to highlight the heroic actions of former airport police chief Byron Kinman – a man who put his life on the line to protect others.
In 1969, a 14-year-old attempted to hijack a Delta DC-9 jet, holding a young woman hostage with a butcher knife. Despite the risk to his own safety, Kinman boarded the plane, knowing there was no turning back. He approached the boy, seized the knife, and apprehended the hijacker.
For his bravery, Delta Airlines awarded him $20 and let him keep the knife as a souvenir. His heroic actions made headlines across the country—even as far as Arizona!
Before his career in law enforcement, Kinman was a farmer. In 1954, he was persuaded to run for Boone County sheriff and won the election. After serving one term, he chose not to run again. That same year in 1958, he was appointed chief of airport security, a role he held until his retirement in 1976.
Kinman was married twice. With his first wife, Agnes Afterkirk, he had four children. After Agnes passed away from cancer, he married Glenrose Williams, who made history as Boone County’s first female sheriff. Together, they had three children.
This National Police Week, we honor Byron Kinman and all officers who dedicate their lives to keeping us safe.
Unlocking Ancestry, One Gene at a Time
APRIL 25, 2025
What better way to celebrate National DNA Day than to point out its use within genealogy research. On this day in 1953, James Watson and Francis Crick formally announced their discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Fast forward to 1990, when scientists from around the world came together to begin mapping the human genome in what was known as the Human Genome Project. They had fully mapped the human genome by March 21, 2022.
DNA testing has become a popular way to learn about a person’s family history and relationships by analyzing their genetics. DNA and genetic testing help genealogists determine biological relationships as well as their ancestral and ethnic background.
The Boone County Archive and History Center is familiar with the clues and discoveries that DNA testing can bring to the table. Back in 2016, Robert Oppenheimer was looking for his biological mother. His twin brother and he were born in Germany and given up for adoption. Through extensive genealogical research and DNA matches, Robert was able to find new family members and learn more about his mother and her side of his family tree.
Dr. Martin A. Yelton, Boone County’s Beloved Doctor
MARCH 28, 2025
This week, in honor of National Physician’s Week, we’re featuring Dr. Martin A. Yelton, a dedicated Boone County doctor who served the community for over 50 years.
In 1912, Dr. Yelton moved to downtown Burlington, making his home and office in the house located next door to the current Washington Square restaurant where he tended patients from all over the county. Built in 1884, the house was named for a number of previous owners. You may recognize it as the Stephens-Yelton House or the Stephens-Gaines House.
In Dr. Yelton’s early years, he traveled by horse and buggy to make his rounds. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, he assisted in the births of more than 2,000 babies – from Big Bone to Rabbit Hash, Burlington to Constance. One of those babies weighed in at 16 pounds!
His legacy as a devoted doctor lives on.
A Slice of History: Boone County’s Pie Connection to Pi Day!
MARCH 14, 2025
Happy Pi Day! Today’s date – 3.14 – matches the first three digits of π, the mathematical ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. Appropriately, it also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday!
To celebrate, we dug into Boone County’s history and found plenty of pies. We know, not the same kind of Pi. Just humor us!
Competition is fierce in the pie category at the Boone County Fair, where bakers face off each year. In 2006, the Walton-Verona FFA Chapter at Walton-Verona High School put a fun twist on the theme with a “Pie a Teacher” contest.
Burlington was once home to the Chicken Pot Pie Company, a facility that produced frozen chicken, beef, and fruit pies; they were so efficient that they turned out 50,000 pies in a single 8-hour shift!
In the 1950 census, we found Elmer Pitts listed as a salesman for the Wholesale Pie Company, proving that pie has long been a part of our local history.
How are you celebrating Pi Day? With a little math or a slice of something sweet? 🥧😊
Honoring Clinton Gibbs: A Lifelong Legacy of Music and Leadership in Cincinnati
FEBRUARY 21, 2025
In celebration of Black History Month, we honor the story of Clinton Gibbs, a teacher, music director, and lifelong musician who grew his career in musical instruction and performance in Cincinnati. Born in Petersburg, KY on August 7, 1892 to James and Frances Gibbs, he moved with his family to the Walnut Hills neighborhood in Cincinnati by 1900. Gibbs studied piano at Holderoach College and organ under Prower Symon.
In 1926, Gibbs became the organist for the African American First Baptist Church in Walnut Hills. He also served as organist choirmaster at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Cincinnati and as director of the Queen City Glee Club. He directed the Cincinnati Masonic Chorus at the 100th Annual Communication of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Ohio. In addition to teaching at several music schools, including the Lilian Aldrich Settlement School of Music, Gibbs offered private piano lessons from his home. He also served as vice president of the Cincinnati branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians. Gibbs contributed to the June Festival for Negro Music, an outdoor choral festival that was held annually in Cincinnati for almost two decades starting in 1938, where he prepared and directed the chorus each year.
Clinton Gibbs died in 1970 after a successful musical career.
Forged in Tradition: Celebrating Farriers, Blacksmiths and Kentucky’s Hoofed Heritage
JANUARY 17, 2025
Every third Thursday in January begins International Hoof Care Week, a time to recognize the important role blacksmiths and farriers play in the health and upkeep of hooved animals such as pigs, goats, deer, sheep and cattle. However, the horse is the most important hooved animal in the state of Kentucky. Horses and horse racing have shaped the state’s culture, with Lexington known as the “Horse Capital of the World”.
Boone County’s history is no exception when it comes to honoring this tradition. Between 1880 and 1940, the Boone County Recorder featured numerous advertisements for horse-shoeing services, showcasing the importance of farriers and blacksmiths in the local community. In 1877, the Recorder highlighted T. M. Rich of Beaver Lick, describing him as a “jovial fellow and a dabster farrier” with a “placid countenance”. By 1893, it was declared that Jeff Clayton had monopolized the horse-shoeing business in Constance. Even decades later, in 1939, local blacksmith Charles S. Birkle carried on the tradition, spending his days shoeing horses on a farm in Middle Creek.
Do you have an ancestor who worked as a farrier or blacksmith? How did you find this out?
Boone County Bingo: A Game That Brought Us Together
DECEMBER 27, 2024
Looking back, Bingo has always been a popular event in Boone County and often used to bring the community together. Both the Boone County Recorder and Walton Advertiser have mentions of Women’s Auxiliary or Volunteer Fire Departments hosting the game to raise money. The Boone County Homemaker’s clubs would bring Bingo to senior centers, as pictured with Alva Delph and Nancy Kahmann.
December is Bingo’s birthday month. The game originated in Italy in 1530. It was first played in the United States in the 1920s where it was introduced in Pittsburgh. It was originally called “Beano” and dried beans were used as the markers. By the 1940s, Bingo games could be found throughout the country.
Petersburg Photographer, Pratt Holloway
OCTOBER 25, 2024
October is Photographer Appreciation Month and historians are grateful to every photographer – amateur or professional – that is out there. Photographers catch the most important moments in our lives on film so we can go back years later and remember what that time felt like. As technology has progressed, just about everyone can be a photog these days with the use of their cell phones. This allows people today to take pictures of not just the major milestones (such as weddings and birthdays) but also to capture everyday life.
Boone County has many people to thank for photographing it’s history. One of them is Pratt Holloway. William Henry Pratt Holloway was born on November 9, 1893. Holloway moved to Petersburg, Kentucky, by 1920. Shortly after, he married Alice C. Carver. Holloway was the epitome of entrepreneurship. He operated a garage, lunch room, carpentry shop, and a grocery store while his hobbies included breeding rabbits and photography. Because of the latter hobby, we have a glimpse into what life was like in Petersburg between 1930 and 1950. Many of the photos from this collection are taken within or around his store. Pratt Holloway passed away on January 12, 1980 in Petersburg. He is buried in the Petersburg Cemetery.
“Cabbage Night”
OCTOBER 18, 2024
There is a Halloween tradition that has happened every year for over 80 years, and it’s not handing out candy. Have you heard of the Burlington Elementary School’s Fall Parade of Characters? Maybe you or your children took part in the parade not too long ago. Did you know the parade has been around since the 1930s?
Have you heard of Cabbage Night, Mischief Night, Goosey Night? Whatever you call it, the night before Halloween, October 30, is almost as exciting as Christmas Eve with all of the anticipation of costumes and candy. This was also a night where store windows would be defaced, jack-o-lanterns smashed, and toilet paper used for decorating.
In the 1930s and early 1940s, Halloween was a stressful time. Kids were urged to not to partake in “Cabbage Night”. They were instructed to have fun but not be destructive. In response, local schools and organizations offered their own Halloween parties as an alternative to a night of trouble-making. In 1937, the Boone County Recorder reported on a very successful Halloween party at the Burlington School and “the parade in costume was the colorful event which all were glad to see and take part in.” The Parade of Characters still goes strong today. The parade usually kicks off with the 5th grade class performing their rendition of Thriller and the public passes out candy along the parade route which will go around the courthouse and back to the school.
The Ghost of Rabbit Hash
SEPTEMBER 27, 2024
There’s a lot of history in the tiny community of Rabbit Hash, from the famous General Store to their dog mayor. However, we want to highlight one of the lesser known sites in town – the Hashienda. Just across the way from the General Store stands a 100+ year old building that has been home to many things over the years including: a general store, a plow factory, a creamery, a Model A Ford dealer, and the Ryle Brothers feed and seed store. It was also used as a pool hall and dance hall, which was closed abruptly during Prohibition. Today one of its uses is a bed and breakfast in the apartment at the far end of the structure.
Since tomorrow, September 28th, is National Ghost Hunting Day, we want to tell you about the paranormal activity that has been reported there. Dogs will go up to the side and scratch at the wall. Inside, EVPs and flashlight responses as well as shadows moving across the bedroom have all been experienced. The name Lucy Stephens was discerned from the recordings and confirmed by a medium. Research has found that a Filmore Ryle once operated a feed store from this very building. He was married to…(drumroll please)…Lucy Stepehens Ryle. Lucy tragically lost a child between 1900 and 1910 and she later died in 1933 of liver cancer. Local lore talks about how a young Ryle girl was tragically found dead, some say murdered, in a nearby creek bed. Neither death record nor obituary have yet to be found to verify the identity of Lucy’s child. Could the soul of Lucy Stephens still be searching and mourning the loss of her child?
Have you ever experienced a ghostly presence while in Rabbit Hash?
Pianists of Boone County
SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
September is National Piano Month which pays tribute to pianists everywhere, piano makers, and those who enjoy piano music. Bartolomeo Cristofori is given credit for inventing the first piano in Padua, Italy, around 1700. While working for Prince Ferdinando de Medici, Cristofori’s interest in stringed instruments led him to the early development of the piano. His early piano designs were a testament to technological innovations in keyboard instruments of the times.
Boone County may not be the music capital of the world, but it did have its fair share of piano enthusiasts. Lewis Loder mentions a blind piano tuner coming to Petersburg. Advertisements for piano lessons or pianos for sale can be found throughout the Boone County Recorder. It seemed a point of pride to highlight the pianist for church and school events. One article in the Walton Advertiser highlighted the musical expertise of Larry Aylor. Aylor, being a talented tenor, was set to perform at the Cincinnati Zoo Opera Pavilion in 1948. The article goes on to mention that in addition to his vocal work, he was “well versed in piano, pipe organ, and Hammond organ.” He taught piano lessons to many young students in and around Florence. He completed a piano course with the Paris Music Studios in Covington. Aylor even studied piano with the Benedictine Nuns for 6 years before serving in WWII.
Pictured is Carole Leming, fifth grade teacher and piano instructor. It was her life’s mission to provide lessons in piano, organ, harp, or voice to anyone who wanted to learn, despite their financial position. Over the years, Leming gave lessons to more than 100 students. Her love of music started when she was just a child when she began using a player piano. Later on, she attended several schools of music and music arranging. She was a school teacher for about 30 years as well as taught music lessons in her home for the same amount of time. Leming passed away in 1991 and was even teaching piano up to 6 months before her death.
In honor of Mother’s Day this Sunday, we are sharing a poem written in 1944 to Ruth Smith, of Walton, KY, by her son, PHM3 Richard E. Smith, who was stationed overseas during WWII:
“I’ve known strange lands, And sailed strange seas, I’ve seen scenes sad and gay, But I’d like to be a boy again, And home on Mother’s Day.”
National Historical Marker Day
APRIL 26, 2024
The last week of April is Preservation Week and as you may know, the Borderlands Archive and History Center is all about preserving anything and everything regarding Boone County history. Part of preservation is marking historical sites and making history easier to access for the public. It just so happens that the last Friday in April is National Historical Marker Day. According to the Historical Marker Database, more than 157,000 historic markers preserve history across the United States, including markers placed at the local, regional, and thematic levels. One of the first markers placed in Boone County was in 1938 acknowledging the history at Big Bone Lick State Park. Since then, Boone County has added over 25 more markers.
The most recent addition will be added later this year. It will be dedicated to Frank S. Milburn and his incredible life as an machinist, inventor, and photographer. Most notably Milburn and his shop secretly made a precision part for the Norden Bombsight. This bombsight was the United States’ second-most closely guarded secret weapon of the war (only the Manhattan Project was more hush-hush).
National Humor Month
APRIL 18, 2024
No joke, April is National Humor month which celebrates the wonderful gift of laughter. Laughter is beneficial to your health. While a good belly laugh stimulates the stomach, it also stimulates the heart and lungs. It increases endorphins and promotes circulation.
We found a great joke in our collection. Coming to you from the Hebron School Commence Memories book, the future smiles side says:
“Its all over the school” “What?” “The roof!”
Fossil Collecting Excursion | 1807
APRIL 12, 2024
Happy National Thomas Jefferson Day! Actually, Thomas Jefferson has a connection to Boone County. Following the great expedition, Clark (of Lewis and Clark) was ordered by President Jefferson to head a fossil collecting excursion at Big Bone Lick, Kentucky where specimens of huge bones were located. Clark was to acquire a specimen, and any duplicates of every representative bone available, so Jefferson could provide collections to scientific institutions here and abroad. In September of 1807, Clark hired ten men to assist in the endeavor and sent three boxes filled with fossils to the President’s house. Not only can you find fossils from Big Bone at Jefferson’s Monticello, there is also a Mastodon femur on display at the Museum of Natural History in Paris, France.
Alien Visitors | 1974
APRIL 5, 2024
According to Star Trek, first contact with extraterrestrial life will occur on April 5th, 2063. Which is why the fifth day in April is dedicated to the moment when an alien species visits Earth and makes contact for the first time.
However, some may argue that contact has already been made. Since 1974, residents surrounding Big Bone Lick State Park have reported seeing inexplicable orbs of erratically moving light above the area. One woman even claims to have witnessed a “mother ship” the size of a football field when she was a teenager. In 2017, that same woman and other corroborating witnesses say they saw strobing red, green and orange lights dancing over the treetops. Shortly after, the woman says she clearly observed a silver flying saucer with three windows. She installed a motion-activated trail cam on her property that captured these black-and-white images of the UFOs.
Dave Roberts & His Beagles | 1958
MARCH 22, 2024
Tomorrow is National Puppy Day! Dogs stand by us during some of the craziest moments, as Enquirer Outdoors Editor Dave Roberts can attest. While in Boone County to buy a pair of beagles, he would never have guessed that the three of them would become witnesses to a police chase! In 1958, the Petersburg Farmers Bank was robbed by four bandits. On his way home with his new sidekicks, Roberts ran into the capture of one of the robbers along KY-18, just west of Hebron. Unphased by the excitement, the beagles caught a couple of rabbits, and the trio went home with their game and a great story.
(“Young Bobby Carver with a Dog” from the Pratt Holloway Collection. Articles from The Cincinnati Enquirer, Cincinnati, Ohio, 14 Nov. 1958.)
Jane Stephens | 1848
MARCH 8, 2024
National Kansas Day celebrates the 34th state which became home to Jane Stephens, former wife of John “Felix” White. White and Stephens were both enslaved African Americans in Boone County, but not on the same farm. In 1848 after escaping to freedom, White recruited Underground Railroad conductor Laura Smith Haviland to help get his wife Jane and their kids to freedom. After several attempts, White and Haviland were forced to give up, and White returned to Canada for his safety. The husband and wife never saw each other again.
In early 1849, Jane Stephens and her children were sold to Webb Ross. Ross would go on to sell the children apart. Jane gained her freedom before May of 1865. She married Dudley Carter and the two settled down in Emporia, Kansas. In the later part of her life, Jane attempted to find her children who had been separated from her. Before her death, Jane was reunited with 3 out of 5 of her children.
Celebrate Women’s History Month with female Sheriff Edith Glenrose Williams. Williams was appointed sheriff in 1944 after the death of her father, Sheriff J.T. Williams, making her the first female sheriff in Boone County, and possibly the first in the state of Kentucky.
During William’s tenure, gambling interests were prevalent in Campbell and Kenton Counties with an attempt to expand to Boone County. A confrontation was set between the female sheriff and a representative of the Chicago mob. The mob expanded gambling to just over the Boone County line on Dixie Highway. Williams and her deputy entered the building finding slot machines and other forms of gambling. She arrested a member of the mob and the mobster warned others to get out. He later told Sheriff Williams she didn’t have the power to arrest him as a female sheriff. The mobster was never seen again in Boone County and gambling stopped at the county border. The confiscated slot machines were destroyed using a sledge hammer with Sherriff Williams striking the first blow.
