March 12, 2025
Adolph Rupp, 1966
University of Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp reacted to a to a play during the Cats’ 85-75 win over Florida on Feb. 7, 1966, in Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky would finish the season 27-2, losing in the NCAA title game to Texas Western. Sept. 2, 2015, would have been the legendary coach’s 114th birthday. Herald-Leader Staff Photo
Lexington’s first canine unit, 1962
The Lexington Police Department’s first canine unit, November 1962. Patrolman Robert Waggoner, left, with Buddy, and Patrolman Eugene Bowling with MacDuff. Published in the Lexington Herald on Nov. 4, 1962. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
War Chest fund drive, 1944
Members of Boy Scout Troop 21 counted posters advertising a War Chest Drive during World War II on Oct. 9, 1944. The posters were delivered to downtown businesses. From left, Fant Martin, Marion Tabb, Billy Hinkle and George Bolner. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Dog show winner, 1946
Boogie Woogie, a toy English terrier owned by Elmer Oliver, won first prize in the trick dog class in the Lexington playground pet show in July 1946. Published in the Lexington Herald-Leader on July 14, 1946. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Ringing Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus, 1950
Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus arrived in Lexington in July 1950. The elephants were unloaded from their train cars beneath the Jefferson Street viaduct. Published in the Lexington Leader on July 27, 1950. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
UK’s Lou Tsioropoulos, 1953
University of Kentucky’s Lou Tsioropoulos (16) grabbed a rebound against Duke in the Kentucky Invitational Tournament on Dec. 21, 1953, at Memorial Coliseum. Kentucky won, 85-69. UK went undefeated that season but declined an NCAA bid. Tsioropoulos died Saturday in Louisville. He would have been 85 on Monday. Unpublished photo. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
John Henry comes home for retirement, 1985
Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins gave John Henry a rub on the nose on Aug. 26, 1985, after the famous Thoroughbred arrived at Lexington’s Blue Grass Field, now called Blue Grass Airport. The two-time Eclipse Horse of the Year was coming home to Lexington for his retirement at the Kentucky Horse Park. John Henry, a 10-year-old gelding at the time of his retirement, was taken to the Horse Park, where waiting there was a shiny new stall made of oak and brass in a barn named “The Hall of Champions.” John Henry, the oldest horse to win a Grade 1 race — at age 9 — lived at the Horse Park for 22 years. He died in October 2007 and was buried near the Hall of Champions at a spot in front of his paddock. Read the story from our archives on when the legendary horse came home. Photo by Frank Anderson | Staff
Ringo’s Mill covered bridge, 1981
Ky. 158 runs beside Ringo’s Mill covered bridge in Fleming County, south of Hillsboro. The 90-foot-long single-span Burr truss bridge was built in 1867 and was a link to Ringo’s Mill, a grist mill operated during the 1800s. The 148-year-old bridge has its own Facebook page. Photographed June 30, 1981. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff
Temporary housing for UK freshmen, 1946
The University of Kentucky gymnasium was converted into temporary sleeping barracks in September 1946 to accommodate 400 of the 2,500 students arriving for the start of Freshman Week.
Lexington police officer Roy Mardis, 1985
Lexington police officer Roy Mardis with his police dog, Amanda, during a photo shoot in February 1985, soon after he was named Lexington police officer of the year. In 13 years of service, he received 61 commendations. Mardis was accidentally shot and killed by a state trooper during a manhunt for a murder suspect in a Mercer County cornfield on Aug. 23, 1985. He was 35. Since 1994, the road leading to the police department’s canine unit training center has been named Roy Mardis Drive. On Sunday, the 30th anniversary of his death, the police department is hosting a ceremony at the training center honoring Mardis’ memory. Photo by Charles Bertram | Staff
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