Morehead History and Railroad Museum

10/16/2026

Historical Photo Friday! The old City Hall, 1972. The fire station was included in the building. Photo courtesy Morehead News, August 24, 1972.

10/14/2026

Historical Extras! Brookside Mine strike in Harlan County

2026 is the 50th anniversary of Barbara Kopple's Academy Award-winning 1976 documentary, Harlan County, USA, which documents a grueling coal miners’ strike in a small southeast Kentucky town.

Kopple and her crew chronicled the “Brookside Strike” of 1973, in which coal miners and their wives went to battle against the Duke Power Company’s Brookside Mine and Prep Plant in Harlan County.
Kopple captured the miners’ sometimes violent struggles with strikebreakers, local police, and company thugs. The 1976 film is a heartbreaking record of the thirteen-month struggle between a community fighting to survive and a corporation dedicated to the bottom line.

In June of 1973, workers at the Brookside coal mine in Harlan County, Kentucky voted 113-55 to replace their membership in the Southern Labor Union (SLU) and join the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) union. The SLU was largely seen as serving the interests of the mine owners rather than the workers.

The owners of the mine, Eastover Coal Company, a subsidiary of Duke Power Company, refused to sign the new contracts, which would have established a UMWA local in Brookside.

After a month of negotiations with no success, the 180 miners walked off the job and began what would be a 13-month-long strike on 26 July 1973.

The main goal of the strike was the right of the workers to form a union as part of the UMWA. In doing so, they would also ensure two secondary objectives: establishing a worker's Safety Committee and increased hospital and medical benefits. The workers' salaries were comparable with other miners throughout the country, so the issue of salary was not addressed. Along with opposing the UMWA union, Eastover management also wanted a 'no-strike' clause to be included in any final contract.

Eastover and Duke brought in replacement workers at the beginning of the strike. The replacement workers often drove through the picket lines, injuring the striking workers. Eastover also hired prisoners to 'provide security' in and around the mine. Some of these prisoners had been convicted of serious crimes including manslaughter and homicide.

Throughout the strike, the campaigners set up picket lines to try to prevent replacement workers from working at the coal mine. This was partially successful until County Judge F. Byrd Hogg, a mine owner himself, issued an injunction against the miners allowing only 3 people to picket at each of the two entrances to the mine. Several men were arrested for violating the injunction and were sentenced to three months in prison.

Women of the community responded to Judge Bogg's injunction. The wives, mothers, sisters, and daughters of the striking miners created the Brookside Women's Club (BWC) on 27 September 1973. Rather than see 'their men' imprisoned, they volunteered to staff the picket lines. They believed that the strikebreakers would be more hesitant to use violence against women.

The BWC had nearly 100 members. They maintained the picket lines, stopped traffic by moving their cars into the road or laying down in the road, heckled scabs, and at times were arrested for their actions.

The women were repeatedly assaulted and shot at. Although largely nonviolent, the BWC made no commitment to nonviolent discipline. Several members stabbed a local sheriff when he dragged a woman violently off the road on 28 February 1974.

The strikers made bumper stickers supporting their cause and drove around the community in a truck with loudspeakers to explain their grievances and hopefully gain support. UMWA itself assisted in larger actions. The union organized a divestment campaign, "Dump Duke," in which people were encouraged to sell any stock in Duke Power Company in May of 1974. The UMWA also organized a march outside of Duke headquarters in
North Carolina.

Throughout the campaign, strikers and supporters sang songs such as "Which Side Are You On?" written by Florence Reece in 1931 during strikes that earned the community the name 'Bloody Harlan.'

Violence continued against the workers and community. The strikers reported attempted bribery to denounce the union, being shot at numerous times, having dynamite thrown at them, shots fired into their homes, and constant verbal threats. The 'security guards' and local police often physically removed people from the picket line in order to let cars pass.

By the end of the campaign the miners had been subjected to over 90 arrests and 40 acts of violence.

The strikers were not themselves entirely nonviolent. Those on the picket line shouted insults at the replacement workers and some even carried weapons. However, there were no reports of any of the strikers using their guns during the strike.

Negotiations continued during the strike, but they reached an impasse on 28 November 1973. Both sides filed complaints with the National Labor Review Board (NLRB) accusing the other side of bargaining in bad faith.
On 30 April 1974, the NLRB sided with the workers but no specific action was taken. The NLRB Administrative Law Judge, Manrice Bush, concluded, "From the record as a whole, I find and conclude that Eastover deliberately insisted on the non acceptable no strike clause for the purpose of avoiding coming to terms with the Respondent union on any kind of collective bargaining agreement."

Another factor in the strike was the presence of Barbara Kopple, a journalist who made a documentary Harlan County, USA about the struggle. Her presence, and the presence of her video camera, is believed to be a factor in decreasing the violence used against the strikers.

In March of 1974, the UMWA invited an independent group to investigate the strike. The Citizens Public Inquiry into the Brookside Strike, funded not by UMWA but by the Marshall Field Foundation, was composed of 11 prominent people, including Willard Wirtz, Secretary of Labor under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, Fred Harris, a former US Senator, and members of academic, religious, and community groups. The group met with approximately 50 members of the community and toured the area. They had invited executives from Duke Power and Eastover Mining to meet with them, but they refused.

On 24 August 1974 a mine supervisor named Billy C. Bruner shot and killed a 23-year-old striker, Lawrence D. Jones. The death shocked the community and received widespread attention throughout the nation.

The killing was a turning point. Shortly after Jones' death, 29 August 1974, the Eastover Mining Company offered a contract to the striking workers.

Shortly after the end of the strike, the UMW faced another national obstacle when their contracts across the country expired. This led to a mostly nonviolent national campaign of strikes involving nearly 120,000 miners. Within 3 weeks a tentative deal had been reached between the UMW and the majority of mine owners.

https://nvdatabase.swarthmore.edu/content/harlan-county-ky-coal-miners-win-affiliation-umwa-union-united-states-1973-1974

Kentucky Historical Society page

Goals The right to form a local of the United Mine Workers (UMW) union. Time period 26 July, 1973 to 29 August, 1974 Country United States Location City/State/Province Brookside, Harlan County, Kentucky PCS Tags An Example of Paradox of Repression Jump to case narrative Methods Methods in 1st segmen...

10/09/2026

Historical Photo Friday! The Kentucky Restaurant was in the shorter building that was torn down in the late 80's-early 90's. The second picture has the restaurant sign on it. The middle building was razed before 2010 after a fire. For more information, please see Preserving Your Heritage page from Wednesday. Photos courtesy Juanita Blair and Jack Ellis Collections. See less

10/07/2026

Historical Extras! Old Morehead Restaurants! The Kentucky Restaurant!

Alonza Elam and George Caskey opened the Kentucky Restaurant in October 1945. The Licking Valley Courier ran this advertisement on October18, 1945:

“Alonzo Elam and George Caskey have opened a new and modern restaurant in Morehead. The new restaurant and is located in the Caudill Building near the Post Office. They have modern equipment and are specializing in dinners, short orders and sandwiches”.

In December 1945, Clifford Blevins of West Liberty, purchased the half interest of Mr. and Mrs. George Caskey. Blevins assumed charge, with the other partner Lonzo Elam, also of West Liberty.
Caskey leased Floyd Arnett’s new concrete block business on the corner of Main and Court Streets to establish a new restaurant in 1947, and in July 1950, he announced the opening of a new restaurant on West Main Street adjacent to the Shade Rest Tourist Home. The new restaurant would be next to the Mayflower Tourist Home.

In 1948, Alonzo and Elizabeth Elam moved to West Liberty and took over the Long Restaurant on Main Street. They remodeled, redecorated and made it a modern restaurant.

In 1948, Blevins decided to sell the Kentucky Restaurant and his home.

“One of Eastern Kentucky’s Most Thriving Restaurants offered for Immediate Sale

The Kentucky Restaurant, now doing a thriving business, located in the main business section of Morehead, is being offered for sale because the owner has other interests. This restaurant has the most modern equipment, both in the dining room and the kitchen. It is seldom that an opportunity to purchase a profitable business like this presents itself. This restaurant will be sold with immediate possession. All merchandise and supplies will be included. Buy one day and you’re a thriving business the next.

The owners had already received several offers for this business, but has decided to advertise it so that anyone may be given a chance to purchase. Prospective purchasers may see this business anytime, and the owner will go over the volume now being done.”
“Owner will also sell with immediate possession his Modern Residence. Mr. Clifford Blevins, owner of the Kentucky Restaurant, will give the purchaser an option also on his new, modern five-room house located on Second Street. All of the furniture and furnishings go with the home. This is an opportunity to buy a going business and a nice home and move in immediately.

If the purchaser of the restaurant does not want to buy the house, it will be sold separately. Persons interested in both the residence and the restaurant, or interested in them separately should see Mr. Blevins at once. For full information, see, write or call Clifford Blevins, Owner-Manager, Phone 401F1.”

According to the Morehead News of May 22, 1952, the Kentucky Restaurant was back under the ownership of George Caskey.
“An Invitation… from the Kentucky Restaurant invites you to Enjoy Wonderful Food, Properly and Courteously Served.

We are proud to offer you our complete restaurant service…whether it is a full dinner, a tasteful stake or chops, or an afternoon snack. All served in the nice atmosphere of the completely remodeled Kentucky Restaurant, Whether you’re eating out alone, or with the entire family, you will find deliciously prepared food, courteously served at budget prices at the new Kentucky Restaurant.

Private Dining Room – if it’s for a dinner party or a business lunch, our private dining room is available on request.
Completely remodeled – The new Kentucky is completely remodeled. It is a new and delightful place to eat out. George Caskey, Owner-Manager, Main Street, Morehead.”

I cannot find when the restaurant went out of business. It is in the newspapers and a school yearbook in 1962. When it closed it was in the Caudill building, which burned 15-20 years ago and is now a downtown parking lot.

Alonzo “Zeddie” Elam was born in Morgan County on October 12, 1903 to Noel Taylor Elam and Lizzie Ann Sargent. He married Elizabeth Florence Bellamy Elam (1908-1996) and had three children, Taylor McCoy, Garry Lee, and Brenda Gail Elam. He died in Lexington, KY on April 3, 1966

George E. Caskey was born in Morgan on November 14, 1904 to John William and Catherine Swimm Caskey. He worked for the National Cash Register Company in Dayton, OH for 10 years. He married Dorothy Bellamy (1915-1993) and had one daughter Alma Catherine Caskey. He owned and operated the Kentucky Restaurant for 12 years. Caskey died July 31, 1985 in Rowan County.
Clifford Cecil Blevins was born on July 8, 1913 in West Liberty, KY, the son of Andrew Franklin “Andy” and Sarah Jane Williams. He married Margaret Naomi Nickell (1913-1938) in 1932 and had three children -Larry Scott, Joe Franklin and Mary Katherine Blevins. He later married Edith Carol Blanton (1917-1997). Before his death, Blevins served as an engineer for the State Highway Department and resided in Lexington. He died on December 9, 1956 in Louisville, KY.

Side note – George Caskey and Alonzo Elam married sisters – Elizabeth and Dorothy. Alonzo’s son Garry married Clifford Blevins daughter Mary.

Photo will be on the library page on Friday for Historical Photo Friday!

Findagrave.com, Ancestry.com, Licking Valley Courier October 18, 1945, January 3, 1946, June 26, 1947, August 29, 1957, Morehead News August 2, 1985, August 30, 1985, Rowan County News October 11, 1945, December 27, 1945, July 1, 1948, August 12, 1948, July 13. 1950, May 22, 1952, December 25, 1952, December 13, 1956

10/02/2026

Historical Photo Friday! Lee Clay plant in Clearfield, KY June 1955. Photo courtesy Art Stewart Collection.

09/28/2026

This Thursday October 1, 2026

09/26/2026

Historical Photo Friday! Welcome Inn. For more information about the restaurant, see Historical Extras on the RCPL page! Photo courtesy Rowan County Historical Society Pictorial History Book

09/23/2026

Historical Extras! Old Restaurants in Morehead!

There were several little café/ restaurants in Morehead in the 1930’s-40’s. Information is scarce on many of them so much of the information comes straight from the Rowan County News and many are just advertisements.

Please post any information you have on any of my posts.

Welcome Inn/ Wel-Cum-Inn 1940s

The Welcome Inn was located in the current location of Holbook Drug circa 1940. Employee’s included Nancy Caudill, Adeline Moore, Nan LeMaster, and Clo Calvert. This could also be the location of Calvert Drug Store. They were in business from 1938-1941, according to newspaper ads.

In business 1938-1941 (or longer just what I’ve found in newspapers)

January 23, 1941 Morehead Independent
Rowan County Historical Society Pictorial History

The White Tavern
“Watch for opening of Moreheads Finest Hamburger and Hot Dog Restaurants.

The White Taven, Main Street
Good Food…Services…Cleanliness is our Motto”
Rowan County News April 2, 1936

Hutchs’ Place
“Visit Our New Place, Just Opened for Business
A Good Place to Eat and Drink

Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Egg Sandwiches – 5 cents
A Good Plate Lunch Served with Hot Biscuits or Real Cornbread -20 cents

Dora Hutchinson, Mgr. Opposite C&O Depot, Morehead, KY”
Rowan County News May 7, 1935

Mary-Grace Tea Shoppe
“Two local young ladies opened the Mary-Grace Tea Shoppe in the Hurt Studio* building on Tuesday of this week and are already doing a thriving business. Mrs. Mary Hogge Wilson and Miss Grace Cassity are the proprietors of the new tea shoppe and both are well known and popular here. They plan on serving lunches and breakfasts. They are also prepared to take care of short orders.
A feature of the service they will offer is the serving on banquets and bridge suppers in the large banquet room upstairs. Both Mrs. Wilson and Miss Cassity have experience in their work.”

*The Hurt Studio was where the Dixie Grill was later located.
Rowan County News September 22, 1932

Be sure to check out Historical Photo Friday for a picture of one of these cafes!

09/16/2026

Historical Extras! Old Restaurants in Morehead Old Time Restaurants!

The Green Lantern Inn, 364 Main Street (Eagle Chevrolet car lot area)

Disclaimer – all the information I have is from newspapers so the dates and locations may not be totally correct. Women were know by their husband’s name, which makes finding information more difficult, and especially when the husband went by initials!

The Green Lantern Inn went through a few owners over the years.
Mrs. Dee Simms (Amanda Dee Clarke) (1873-1951). She was married in 1888 to Alexander Simms (1866-1924) who was a Superintendent on the Morehead North Fork Railroad.

Dee was a very active woman in the community –she helped found the First Church of God, was a charter member of the Morehead Woman’s Club and the Thursday Afternoon Club. She also helped establish the Model Laundry with JB Calvert and John Crosley,
In 1930, she sold the Inn to Mrs. F.D. Richardson (Catherine Bolling Richardson) of Mt. Sterling, who moved to Morehead with the purchase. In 1931, she sold her interest in the Green Lantern to her daughter, Mrs. Claude (Ruth) Carter of Frankfort, KY. She also moved to Morehead to take care of the business. The Inn was managed by Mrs. Clara Robinson.

It became the Green Cove Inn on July 26, 1931.
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Located in the center of Morehead on the first floor of the Masonic building was “The Keystone Café, formerly known was the Canary Garden Café, which opened Sunday has startled Morehead with the wonderful meals serves at remarkable prices.

In line with the trend of prices in every field, we are offering the public the best meals to be found in town at the very lowest prices. Get a copy of our menu. You’ll be surprised!!

We need your patronage to maintain these prices. The KEYSTONE CAFÉ is managed for your convenience and service. Experienced girls will extend real courtesy to tend the home atmosphere you desire.

The KEYSTONE is a “Home Restaurant” maintained by Home folks FOR Home Folks.

We cater to all classes of trade.

All we ask is that you give us a trial. Mrs. Clara Robinson, Mgr”
The Keystone was still in business in 1933 when there was a fire upstairs in the Masonic part of the building. The restaurant only suffered minor damage. The Masonic building was either at the corner of Main Street and Carey Avenue or Main and South Wilson.

Clara Belle Dillon was born November 18, 1891 in Rowan County to Dawson and Betty Dillon. She married William W. Robinson (1885-1915) in 1908. They had three children: Willa Mae Atchinson and sons Oval L. and Alden D Robinson. She was a member of the Rowan County Women’s Club, Christian Women’s Fellowship, Night Homemakers and The Sewing Bee.William was a lumber grader at a sawmill in Farmers.

While Clara was an employee of the Eagles Nest Restaurant, she made it into Ripley’s Believe It Or Not for baking over 50,000 pies while employed there.

Clara died March 31, 1969 of heart issues.

Sources
Morehead News April 30, 1931, May 7, 1931, August 2, 1933, August 24, 1939, May 7, 1942, September 7, 1944, May 14, 1959, April 3, 1969
Mt. Sterling Advocate September 23, 1930, January 13, 1931
Findagrave.com, Ancestry.com

09/11/2026

Historical Photo Friday! Amos 'n' Andy Restaurant in downtown Morehead. The location is possibly down the street from the old Dixie Grill. For more information about the restaurant, see Historical Extras on the RCPL page! Photo courtesy Juanita Blair collection