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)

Beer Sold In Marion Restrauants 1933-1936

March 1933 the sale of beer was legal in Kentucky.  Marion had a few restaurants that sold beer

Marion City Council didn't intend for the beverage to be very cheap to sell, as they placed retail license at $20.00; Wholesale License at $30.00.  

The council also ordained that the wholesale tax for the city should be $30.00 and that any retailer or wholesaler that should distribute beer without obtaining a license should be fined $15.00

Orme Drug Company was the first business to request a license in April of 1933.  

In July 1936 the prohibition forces of the county had been busy circulating a petition for the purpose of calling an election to decide whether intoxicating liquors would legally be sold within its boundary.

The petition, containing the names and post office addresses of 1,967 legal voters of Crittenden County was on file at the County Judge's office.

September 1936.  Crittenden county voted for local option Saturday by a vote of 1,705 as compared to 398 in favor of wines, liquor and beer.  The totals surprised the most ardent drys as several leaders had previously expressed themselves as confident of victory, but not to the extent to which the final returns showed. 

Marion's New Buthcer Shop, June 2018

Meat Markets

What is so interesting about this new business is that Marion hasn't had a butcher shop or meat market since 1926, a store that just sold fresh meat.

Here is a little history of early meat markets in Marion.

1881 -   T. C. Williams was the town Butcher 

 

1900  -Two butchers listed as having a store in Marion were J. W. Givens and Thomas White

1924 –  J. R. Sowders had a meat market on Carlisle St. (on the corner next to the alley)

1926 Meat Markets –  A. W. Jones, at his location on Carlisle Street is conducting an up-to-date meat market. Mr. Jones only recently came to Marion from Eddyville, where he was editor of the Lyon County Herald. One section of his place of business is occupied with a lunch stand, specializing in lunches for school children. 

Morris & Son Grocery on Main St. (where City Drug Store was) had a meat market in their grocery store.