Jackson Purchase Historical Society

Pictured are past presidents of the JPHS at the 50th Anniversary Meeting.  Seated, left to right: Melissa Earnest, Harvey Elder, Corinne Whitehead; Standing, left to right: Bill Wells, Sarah Strange (current President), Charles Blair, Greg Miller, Walter Haden, John Robertson, Lonnie Maness

Held at Kenlake State Resort Park in Aurora, Kentucky – The 50th Anniversary of the Jackson Purchase Historical Society was celebrated with several past presidents of the Society in attendance. Dr. Harvey Elder, president from 1968-1969, spoke about wonderful memories of the early formative years of the Society. Several other long-time members recalled special events and people throughout the 50-year history of JPHS. All those attending received a special commemorative program, a notepad with the JPHS 50th Anniversary logo imprinted on it in gold, a gold pencil with “JPHS 50th Anniversary!” on it, and two specially marked 50th Anniversary Hershey’s ™ almond kisses wrapped in gold foil. Each past president in attendance received lovely engraved paperweights marking the year(s) of their service to the Society. Past issues of the JPHS Journal were also available for guests to take to distribute or keep as desired. A vote to begin the incorporation process was passed and wishes were expressed for the future of the Society with hopes that the next 50 years will be as successful as the past 50!

Held at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Gilbertsville, Kentucky – Lanette Thurman introduced the program on Luther Draffen, presented by JPHS member Bobbie Foust, a long time journalist in the Jackson Purchase area. Luther Draffen was a visionary who worked tirelessly to locate Kentucky Dam where he thought it would benefit the most people, business and industry. Mrs. Foust talked about the early years of Luther Draffen’s life which formed his character that later served him well as he shared his vision with others. After the disastrous 1937 flood, Mr. Draffen was finally able to see the Kentucky Dam project begin in 1938. On October 10, 1945, President Harry S. Truman addressed a crowd of people gathered below the dam on the Tennessee River dedicating Kentucky Dam. Other dignitaries on the platform included Senator Alben Barkley of Kentucky (who later became Vice President Alben Barkley) and Luther Draffen, President of the Lower Tennessee Valley Authority. JPHS was pleased to have as guests members of Luther Draffen’s family in attendance at this meeting.

Held at Whaler’s Catch in Paducah, Kentucky – Betty Dobson, brought Maggie Steed to life as she talked about the experiences of coming to Paducah from Tennessee and opening the Hotel Metropolitan. Maggie, a woman of “color”, was far ahead of her time, becoming a successful business woman. Maggie’s father was a slave and when President Lincoln offered slaves a chance to fight in the Civil War effort, he promised them and their families freedom after the war. Many colored regiments were continued after the war and Maggie arrived in Paducah in 1898 mainly due to the colored regiment that was located there and for the opportunities for young colored women in the area. For $2 a day, guests could stay at her hotel and be treated to biscuits and coffee in the mornings at 6 a.m. Famous guests who stayed there through the hotel’s operation were Louie Armstrong, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, B. B. King, Ike and Tina Turner, Marcus Haines, Jessie Owens, and the Harlem Globetrotters. Many famous African-Americans traveled the Chitlin Circuit which was the name of the route of hotels that accepted African-Americans as guests. Langford Hughes and the Negro Baseball League were just some of the guests along the Chitlin Circuit. The Hotel Metropolitan, named by Maggie to give it a high-class sound, was very forward-thinking because it had lights and running water. After Maggie’s death on May 29, 1925, her son ran the hotel for two to three years, then sold it to Mamie Burbridge. After her death, Lester and Olivia Gaines owned it and their son, Clarence “Big House” Gaines became the 3rd winningest coach in the United States at one point. The Hotel Metropolitan was located in Upper Town and it is due to Ms. Dobson’s efforts and the Upper Town Heritage Foundation’s support that it is now a museum. After the meeting concluded, guests toured the Hotel Metropolitan, guided by Ms. Dobson.

Held at Lacey’s Restaurant in Benton, Kentucky – Michael Freeland, author of Blood River to Berlin, spoke on his time overseas during World War II as a medic.  He noted that these were difficult stories to hear, but that they needed to be told.  Freeland joined the military and turned 20 years of age on the ship as he was sent overseas.  He kept a journal of his experiences which later helped him pen his book.  Freeland joined the 82nd Airborne in France and traveled the first time by airplane to London, England to attend jump school.  There he saw devastation – cold, smokey, bombed places and people standing in long lines just for a chance to buy anything that might be available. In early May of 1945, traveling by jeep toward Cologne, France and Berlin, Germany, Freeland and others in the 82nd Airborne found an SS concentration camp in France.  He said one could smell the stench from a half-mile away and the question was always how could something like this happen in a civilized country with culture, literature, and music?  Freeland was invited to return to Europe in 2005 as a guest of the Greatest Generation Foundation.  Even though he hesitated to make such a trip, he was glad that he did because it did bring him some closure.  However, Freeland noted that some images would be forever etched into his mind.