Christian County

In the years since Christian County was founded more than 210 years ago, the rural area--including many small communities and the county seat of Hopkinsville--has become a historic treasure of various architectural styles. Water-powered mills are representative of the first local industry. Blacksmith shops, followed by several small craft shops, preceded the largest 19th-century industry: the manufacturing of Mogul brand farm wagons. A plow factory and a butter manufacturing facility were also two of several short-lived industrial attempts to make a great financial success. Throughout the 20th century, changing social and economic growth brought the demolition of many priceless architectural examples. This title presents a close observation of many of these vanished landmarks, with old churches, public buildings, country stores, schools, and road toll gates providing a glimpse into the county's past.

Coauthors and historians Chris Gilkey and William T. Turner are lifelong educators in the local public schools and at the collegiate level. In addition to their previous Arcadia titles, the authors are active in community restoration projects and the Pennyroyal Area Museum, the Woody Winfree Fire Transportation Museum, and the Christian County Historical Society. The images used in this publication are from the half-century effort of official local historian and coauthor William T. Turner.