April 19, 2025
New Circle Road and Winchester Road, 1951
Aerial view of construction of the intersection of New Circle Road and Winchester Road, January 1951. The intersection was a cloverleaf design until June 2000, when it was changed into the “urban diamond” interchange that it is today. It was the first urban diamond in Lexington and one of a handful in the state. Urban diamonds are often used in tight situations, where there’s little space to expand the interchanges.
Transylvania College orientation, 1954
Incoming Transylvania College students attended orientation week in September 1954. From left: Charles E. Lewis, Carolyn Reynolds, Bob Wright, Nancy Jones, Delma Sue Brinegar and Roland Russell. Published in the Lexington Leader Sept. 23, 1954.
Cincinnati Reds exhibition game at UK, 1946
The University of Kentucky’s Stoll Field hosted a Major League Baseball exhibition game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Boston Red Sox on April 9, 1946. It was first the major league game ever played there. Cincinnati won, 4-2. The crowd was estimated at 7,000 to 8,000.
Heather Renee French, Miss America 1999
One month after being crowned Miss America, Maysville native Heather Renee French was paraded through downtown Lexington on Oct. 15, 1999. A year later, she married Lt. Gov. Steve Henry in Louisville. The 2014 Miss Kentucky will be crowned Saturday. Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu | Herald-Leader staff
Rick Pitino’s first Kentucky game, 1989
Rick Pitino coached his first game at Kentucky on Nov. 28, 1989 against Ohio. Behind Pitino is Richie Farmer. The Wildcats won, 76-73, and finished the season 14-14, 10-8 in the SEC. Photo by Charles Bertram | staff
University of Kentucky, 1945
An aerial shot of the University of Kentucky campus, 1945. Running from left to right across the picture is South Limestone. Memorial Hall is at right, about halfway up, and Stoll Field is just to the left of center. Click on the image for a closer look.
Versailles castle destroyed by fire, 2004
The landmark castle on Versailles Road in Woodford County was destroyed by fire May 10, 2004. Deceased Lexington contractor Rex Martin Sr. started building the castle in 1969. But it was never finished and sat empty for more than 30 years. Martin died in August 2003, and Tom Post bought it the following November. After the fire, Post spent millions of dollars and several years rebuilding the landmark into a luxury inn. That project was nearly complete when the fire destroyed the building. The state fire marshal’s office concluded that there was “a high probability” that an arsonist set the fire, but nobody was ever charged. Now the castle is called CastlePost and features 10 luxury rooms and suites and is popular for wedding receptions and charitable events. Photo by David Perry | Herald-Leader staff
Fire department’s new equipment, 1950
Lexington Fire Department personnel inspected new equipment on Dec. 12, 1950. From left, W. T. Kerns, E. F. Petit, Jimmy Smith and Fire Chief Earl McDaniel.
Alice Cooper performs at Rupp Arena, 1978
Rock musician Alice Cooper during his “School’s Out for Summer ’78” concert tour at Rupp Arena on June 25, 1978. The group AC/DC opened for Cooper. Photo by Ron Garrison | Herald-Leader staff
Shelter for hitchhiking servicemen, 1944
A shelter, one of five placed on main highways out of Lexington, erected by the Man o’ War post of the American Legion, for the convenience of servicemen hitchhiking. November 1944
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