Piney Fork Celebrates 200 Years

Piney Fork church will celebrate 200 years of being a Cumberland Presbyterian Church on Saturday, April 28, 2012.  It's the oldest church in Crittenden County and the first Cumberland Presbyterian church organized in the state of Kentucky.

The church is in the Piney Fork community, six miles east of Marion on S.R. 506.  Piney Fork was a community established in the late 1700's.

Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church's history begins in May of 1810, when John Travis and several other people from the vicinity of Piney Fork decided to organize a church connected with the new Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. 

The church was best known for its annual camp meetings which began in 1812 and continued until 1955.  The old shed that was built to hold 1,000 people was torn down in 1970, due to severe damage done to the roof after a heavy winter snow.  

The church in the picture at the top, was the 3rd church, built in 1867 from brick made on the grounds.  The first two structures were built of logs, and both were destroyed by fires. 

The picture at the right is the 4th and present church building built in 1957.

Happy 200th Anniversary to the Historic Piney Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Resolutions of Respect For Robert L. Flanary

From the Crittenden Record Press, March 3, 1910.
Whereas, death has invaded our ranks and taken from us our brother, our worthy and faithful Vice Chancellor, Robert L. Flanary, who departed this life on the 24th day of February 1910, therefore be it, RESOLVED,

First - That in the death of Brother Flanary this lodge has lost a noble and valiant Knight, a faithful, loving and efficient officer.

Second - That his wife has lost a true and devoted husband, and his child a kind, indulgent and affectionate father.

Third - That the Vice chancelor's station be draped for a period of thirty days as a mark of respect for the departed Knight.

Fourth - That the citizens of Crittenden County have lost a capable and painstaking officer and public servant.

Robert Lee Flanary and his wife, Miles Nunn Flanary are buried in the Mapleview Cemetery.  His stone doesn't have a birth date listed, but he was born in May 1866, the son of John Alton Flanary and Isabelle Cook Flanary.

Frances Elementary School Building

Today the old Frances Elementary School in the village of Frances, Ky., sits vacant and neglected. Once a proud new building, a valuable asset to the children, family and community, everyone source of pride for their community.

This cream colored brick school was built in 1961, replacing an old wooden structure.  It held grades 1-8 for the first years.  Later the 6-8 would be transferred to the new Middle School at Marion.

In Jan. 1961, Superintendent of Crittenden County Schools, Louis Litchfield told of the news of the plans for the new school building.  The new building would consist of eight classrooms, a library, cafeteria, kitchen, offices and storage.  The building would handle approximately 250 students from the southern end of the county.

The school continued to be a vital part of the community until April 1997.  I think we all knew it was coming, for it has been predicted from many years before, that at a later time, all the county schools would be consolidated into one school with the central location at Marion.  I had heard this prediction as early a date as in the 1970's, but still one is never ready for such a drastic change to take place.

Frances and Tolu, the last remaining county schools, were voted by the board to be closed in 1997.  The year 1998 would be the last school year for the Frances Elementary School.  A sad day for the community.

After the school was closed, there were high hopes of the building still being available to the community, several ideas were talked about how it could be used.  It was even purchased by a local man from the community.  Nothing ever materialized for the school, as it sits today, a tattered shell of it's former days.  Windows broken and boarded up, weeds and grass taken over the lawn. 

But good memories remain for the students that attended here and families that were apart of the school and the activities that made the school the center of the community and everyone was it's family.

School Souvenirs from Teachers

Many years ago some teachers would give their students a little booklet known as a "Souvenir."  Sometimes it would have the picture of the teacher, a list of students, and some poems that would pertain to school days and memories of the time and hopes for the future.

This colorful and wonderful booklet was given to her students at Piney Fork School by Mrs. Dorothy Booker, March 30, 1951.

Easter Cards From Yesteryear

A couple of vintage Easter Post Cards.

Post Marked in the mid 1920's.   

Hope you enjoy the colorful cards from yesteryear.

Historical Museum Opening

Our Crittenden County Historical Museum will be opening for the season tomorrow, Wednesday, April 4th. Time: 10:00 -3:00, Wed.-Sat.  Free Admission.

The Museum is a wonderful place to visit and take a walk back in time to many periods of our past history.  Things you may have forgotten about but will bring back memories of yesteryear when you see the items on display. 

 The building in its self is a piece of our local history, for it is the oldest church building in the county, being constructed in 1881.  The beautiful stained-glass windows are original to the building.

One of the simple items that brings back memories of a different time are the colorful hand-held fans that were a must have for churches and funeral homes. 

 Pictured at the right are a few of these old fans on display to see at the Museum.  Years ago they were used as as advertisement for many businesses located  in Marion. The name of the business, address and phone number would be on the back of the fan.  The fans were placed on the pews easily accessible for people to use.

The Museum has been fortunate that some of these fans were saved and preserved and are now available for people to see.