LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. —
To the editor:
I read in the Sentinel that the local “powers that be” have decided to tear down what is probably the oldest and most historic house still standing in London.
The house at the corner of Second and Broad streets (now housing Tom Weatherly’s law office) is more than 100 years old and was built by Bettie Baugh Faris who, along with her husband, John ran one of London’s first and foremost mercantile establishments as far back as the 1870s or before. John Faris died from typhoid in 1884, but his wife continued the business for many years.
I’m not sure when, after John’s death, the house was built but I know it was well before the turn of the 20th century. Mrs. Faris herself died in 1905. She had no children of her own, but raised four nieces, one of whom (Sallie Baugh who married H. V. Pennington) came to own the property at some point. This house is still in use, not an eyesore, not falling down in disrepair, but it is to be torn down and replaced with a parking lot. Once again the lack of concern for historic preservation is evident among London’s leaders.
There is a long history to this house that cannot be gone into in this small space but it can be researched and documented from public records, I’m sure. I wish it were in my power to save this house, but it is not. I can only speak out against its destruction. I hope others will join me.
Jan Sparkman
Fort Myers, Fla.
Letters to the Editor
Speaking out against historic house destruction
- Letters to the Editor
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- Pros and Cons of Expanded Alcohol Sales
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Looking for a miracle on Broad Street
A reader sends out a plea to help save the Pennington House.
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Dogs could hurt children in subdivision
(Recently) my cat died at the animal hospital, because dogs are able to run loose in the area — three dogs, two of them without a dog tag one. The other has a tag which was stolen from around my dog’s neck and placed on the third. I called the dog pound, when I learned there is no dog tag required in Laurel County. If so, why did I have to pay for one on my dog? They said they couldn’t do anything unless I was able to catch the dogs, and then call the animal warden to come get them. I called Noah Baker, the magistrate for my area, and never received an encouraging word.
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Thank you to participants in first 5K for Justice
We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the first annual 5K Race for Justice on Oct. 9. We at the London Department of Public Advocacy and the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office are truly appreciative of all of the runners who came out, and would like to particularly honor the American veterans who ran with us that morning, showing their support for London’s Welcome Home to Vietnam Veterans. We are honored to have had the opportunity to host our race in support of that event.
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Pennington House could be a bed and breakfast
I know we are going to save the Pennington House. That’s a no-brainer!
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Churches challenged to give $100 per month to shelter
My name is Brother Johnny Jervis. I have pastured in and around Laurel County for many years. I am a former board member of the Christian Shelter for the Homeless Inc. in London, and I continue to support that ministry.
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Former resident proud of his hometown
My wife and I visited friends and relatives in your area for 10 days in early October, as we have done many times over the years. I grew up in Laurel County but left at age 18 and never lived here since. That is not necessarily by my choosing, but career choices lead me to other places. However, Laurel County has always been “home” to me.
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Trying to enforce ‘good prevails’ lessons of life
We have been living in the London area for the last three years. We noticed early on there is a problem with some in the community not following parking laws in the handicap and fire lanes.
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Vietnam memorial helped honor sacrifices made
I am writing to thank Buddy Butler and the others involved for organizing the memorial activities for our Vietnam veterans.
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Girl Scouts enjoy ‘the Hannah experience’ too
I wanted to express my delight at Tara Kaprowy’s “As bright as the sun” article in Friday’s Sentinel.
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