Betty's to reopen on Thursday, September 3, 2020
2020-08-27 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener
We've just received the good news that Betty's will be opening the restaurant back up Thursday September 3, 2020. Little Bit says, "We look forward to seeing everyone! Come join us!" Comments | Permalink Historians urge City to preserve the chimneys
2020-08-27 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com
Even after the fire at the historic Hurt/Foust home, the story and sentiments remain. While Mike Watson and I were there Tuesday, Joe DeSpain from Greensburg stopped by encouraging the saving of the amazing chimneys. He suggested the City consider studying the Great Blue Heron Railway Park, where outlines of the home exist along with audio history. - LW Comments | Permalink City was saving, not destroying historic home
2020-08-27 - Columbia, KY - Photo by Linda Waggener, ColumbiaMagazine.com
The existing house, built in the early 1850s may have appeared crumbling, but the bones were solid and work was being done to preserve what could be saved of the historic Hurt/Foust home by the City of Columbia. The process to place the house and land on the National Register of Historical Places had already been instituted. We were approached and encouraged to begin this process by someone in the preservation community outside Adair County; one who knew the significance of this site and the need to save what could be saved.
The clearing of the house was underway, with encouragement from the City and with aid from the local library, and history and genealogical groups. A small group of dedicated volunteers began work in early summer. Vandals, vagrants, and 'treasure hunters' had ransacked the house, entering through smashed windows, climbing and crawling, throwing and destroying each and every time. Even since the clean-up began in early June, each time the volunteers came, there was evidence of new invasions. Comments | Permalink Older Photos