Postcards from the past: Adair Courthouse at its finest on ColumbiaMagazine.com

2008-01-15 - Downtown Columbia, KY - Photo By Betty Sue Jasper; photo from postcard collection.

The ADAIR COUNTY COURTHOUSE
Shown above in its red brick era in on this old postcard photographed by Betty Sue Jasper is a favorite memory of many older Adair Countians. The photo is from a collection of postcards she owns. She says she doesn't know the age of it.The view is from what is now the fountain area.

Notice that this was before the additions ("excretions," the late Adair County author Janice Holt Giles called them) were added to the Burkesville ST and Campbellsville ST sides of the courthouse.

Many in Columbia, including Second District Magistrate Wid Harris, that today's courthouse can be restored one day to this look after the new Adair Justice Center is open, and after new offices are built for the Adair County Attorney and Adair County Sheriff's offices. And maybe, after operation of the building is arranged with a third party. Attendees at the State of the County, State of the City addresses at Lindsey today at noon will be listening closely for hints of the building's future.

Other features

On the right is a glimpse of the side of Russell Building's on Jamestown ST side. The awning which can be seen is over a section of the Russell Building which housed many notable Adair County businesses.

Some can remember Willis Dry Cleaners, operated by Ralph and Ruth & daughter Hilda Joyce Willis. Ralph Willis was Columbia's Mayor when the the natural gas system, the most profitable element of the Columbia Utilities Commission today, was established. Ruth Willis was a great Adair County teacher, and a pillar of the Columbia United Methodist Church with a radiant personality. Hilda Willis was a popular Columbia High School cheerleader who now lives at Bristow in Warren County, Kentucky.

The little corner was also the home of Hudson Willis' radio and Tv store. It may be the birthplace of City Tv, the local cable company which Willis founded and which has evolved and changed ownership to become today's Duo-County Columbia cable system. Hudson Willis was a beloved WAIN Radio performer and later wrote a biography, "The Best and the Worst of Beanpole."

As well, it was at one time the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce.

On the left can be seen a tiny bit of the Collins Building: at the corner of Campbellsville Street and the Square. It now houses "The Flower Garden," but through the years was mostly "Corner Drugs," or "Collins' Corner Drugs." It is famous in history a a place where many Columbians believe Theodore O'Hara penned part of "Bivouac of the Dead," but that has never been confirmed. It is confirmed that it is where Thomas Bramlett, later Governor of Kentucky, stayed with his dying daughter and risked arrest by the Confederates, rather than fleeing when he got word of the Confederates intent.

Clicking Read More accesses the "Today, Tues. Jan. 15, 2008" feature.