Crittenden County Treasure Trails - 1951

Some interesting facts published about our Crittenden County in 1951, taken from "Kentucky Treasure Trails."  Although some facts have changed, it's still interesting to read the way we were in 1951.

In the early 1840's Marion was a booming town with a strong economy based on the largest metallurgical fluorspar mine and plant in the United States.   

The community of Ford's Ferry is across the Ohio River from the well-known robber's den, "Cave-In-Rock," on the Illinois shore.  In the early nineteenth century this cave was the headquarters of a vicious band of river pirates who terrorized flatboat travelers as they passed this great bend in the river.

Today, (1951), two important factors contribute to the success of Crittenden County:  first, the millions of tons of high grade sandstone and limestone in the area, and secondly, the Ohio, Cumberland, and Tradewater Rivers on the county's boundaries.

Old Buildings:

• The Cruce Home - Marion, Princeton Rd. US-641 S.  Built in the early 1800's, by Presley Cruce.  The 3 front rooms are of logs.   (Still standing today, a family residence.)
  
• The Dean Home - Old Ford's Ferry Rd.  Constructed in 1826 by Alexander Dean.  (This old 2-story home burnt in 1981)
•  Shewmaker Home, Old Ford's Ferry Rd.  Constructed in 1888 by Peter Shewmaker.  (Still standing and owned by Shewmaker descendants today.)
• The Flanary Home - 317 W. Bellville St.  Constructed in 1877 by John W. Blue, Sr.  A fine example of Victorian architecture featuring lavish gingerbread trim and a steamboat Gothic front porch.  (This beautiful home has since been torn down and a new modern home built in it's place by Virgil and Linda Cook.)
• Kykendall Home, 217 W. Bellville St. Constructed in 1868.  (Still standing today.)
• Tucker Homer, 117 W. Bellville St.  Constructed in 1879 by Judge Thomas J. Nunn. ( Still a beautiful home today, owned and lived in by Tommy and Mary Tabor.)
• Senator Ollie M. James House, 204 E. Depot St.  Constructed in early 1800.  Was the home of the former U. S. Kentucky Senator Ollie M. James.  (Still standing in good condition thanks to it's present owner, Robert Marshall Jenkins.)
• Dycus Home, Dycusburg, overlooking the Cumberland River.  Constructed in 1857 by Thephis Cooksey.  (Still standing today, a beautiful old home)