There are people working to preserve history

Continuing with the historical theme from Trevor’s column, Monday I met with Diane Mitchell, her brother Rob Miller and Paul Jones at the Corbin Public Library.

Don Estep is publisher of the News Journal.

Diane set up the meeting in order to get information Paul and I could recall about Corbin’s history. I’ll admit that I did more listening than talking because Paul, Diane and Rob are a treasure chest of knowledge about the town.

Diane and Rob amazed me with the information they had already collected. The purpose of this collection is for a history room that is being developed at the library about Corbin’s past.

Then of course Paul Jones, at 100 years of age, amazed us with his vivid memory of the past. It was interesting and exciting to hear him recall the names of people and buildings that existed many years ago.

Diane is heading up a group of people who are working on this project. Already much digital work has been accomplished and more will be added. It is pleasing to know that the history of Corbin will be available to all because of their work.

I learned so much at the meeting. I wish I could share it with everybody, but that is being worked on by Diane. Sometime in the future she is working to organize a session for several people, plus stream the event so people everywhere can witness it. We will let you know when this will take place.

Some of what I learned was that the Hall-Watson building, the big building on the east side of the underpass, was built in 1913. It may be the oldest building in town. If you have better information about an older building, let me know.

I shared a little information. The building where I am writing this column is the location of the News Journal in Corbin and it was the location of the first movie theater in Corbin. It was called the Kentucky Theater.

A side note to this was told to me by my late friend Baker Reasor. He said when he was a kid he was paid to shoot his cap gun when the silent westerns were playing. He would stand behind the screen and when they started shooting he provided sound.

Please continue to be aware of this project and contribute if you have information.

• A sad ending to this column. Two of my friends passed away. Paul Estes, whom I worked with as a Trustee of the University of the Cumberlands for many years, and Ken Harp, whom I worked with in the television booth for 30 years at Central Baptist Church and delivered the News Journal for us at one time. May they rest in peace!