May 2, 2024
Clerks waiting to sell driver licenses, 1959
In July 1959 clerks at the Fayette County courthouse waited to sell driver licenses for person whose last names started with letter L through Z. The clerks were, seated from left, Barbara Smith, Margaret Marquis and Doris Lindsey. Standing were Gladys V. Bryant and Bill Marquis. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Darnall General Hospital, 1944
Patients, attendants and nurses took part in an informal jam session in July 1944 at the Darnall General Hospital near Danville, Ky. At the time the photo was taken the hospital was operated by the United States Army as a psychiatric hospital. After the war the facility was sold to the state and became a State Mental Hospital. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Jug band at Churchill Downs, 1949
With today’s running of the 144th Kentucky Derby a few hours away, we take a look back to a scene at Churchill Downs before the 75th run for the roses, May 7, 1949. A jug band of entertained race patrons outside the entrance to the track. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Whitney Derby Eve party, 1984
For many years there were two popular Kentucky Derby Eve parties in Lexington, one thrown by Anita Madden at Hamburg Place and this one, by C.V. and Marylou Whitney at their farm on Bryan Station Road. May 4, 1984 found , from left, Arlene Francis, Hope Lange, Marylou Whitney and C.V. Whitney, greeting guests. Photo by David Perry | Staff
Boy Scout Expo, 1980
Jimmy Mitchell, 12, Troop 127 in Mercer County crossed a rope bridge during the Bluegrass Area Council’s annual display of outdoor crafts and scouting activities in early May 1980. Over 25,000 tickets were sold to the event, called Expo 80, which was held in Rupp Arena. Thousands of Boy Scouts from the council’s 50 Eastern and Central Kentucky counties swarmed through the maze of demonstration booths featuring everything from first aid, knot tying and campsite cooking to turtle racing, compass reading and astronomy. The Boy Scouts of America announced yesterday that they are dropping “Boy” from the organization’s name. Photo by John C. Wyatt | Staff
Carousel set-up at traveling carnival, 1949
Carnival workers set up the carousel for the Thompson Joyland Amusement Company traveling show, which opened a 10-day engagement April 1, 1949 on the Gentry stockyards property at West High Street and Angliana Avenue. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Knox pumper for sale, 1949
In August 1949 the city of Lexington put this Knox pumper up for sale. It was the second piece of motorized equipment the city bought and the oldest existing piece left from the switch-over days. City Manager J. Pelham Johnson was wanting to sell it but many Lexingtonians urged him to donate it to a museum. It was being stored at Fire House 5, Maxwell and Woodland Avenues, where this photo was taken with Arthur Nichols, left and Tommy Ross, sitting on the old rig. Herald-Leader Archive Photo
Gibson Bay Golf Course opening, 1993
The view from the 10th tee box at Gibson Bay Golf Course when it opened, April 29, 1993. Located in Richmond’s 450 acre Lake Reba recreational complex, the 18-hole course was recognized as an honorable mention by Golf Digest for best new public golf course in the United States. When it opened, Green fees were $10 on the weekdays and $14 on the weekends. Today they are $16 and $26. Photo by Time Sharp | staff
David O’Connor and Border Raider on cross-country course, 1988
Border Raider, with David O’Connor up, cleared the broken bridge jump April 30, 1988 during the Kentucky International Three-Day Event at the Kentucky Horse Park. The cross-country portion of the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event will be held today at the Horse Park. Photo by Ron Garrison | Staff
C.J. Meyer, 17-year-old apprentice jockey, 1948
Apprentice jockey C. J. Meyer, 17, right, weighed in at Keeneland in April 1948, as his father, former jockey, C. J. Meyer, Sr., watched. The younger Meyer was tied for top riding honors with Steve Brooks at the track’s Spring meet, bringing home seven winners. Today is the last day of the Spring meet with the first post at 1:05pm. Photo by John C. Wyatt | Staff
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