Columns

History is ever unfolding.  
Driving east on U.S. Route 140 toward Bluff City this past Wednesday, I was surprised and thrilled to see logs piled up near the bridge construction site along that road.
The squared logs were reminiscent of the hewn logs that had formed the plank road across what was known as the Okaw Bottoms more than 150 years ago. The logs, harvested from the virgin forest and squared with a woodcutter’s ax, were laid crosswise over the road with planks over the top to fit the wagon wheels.

Last week’s column centered on the mural in the Vandalia Post Office painted by artist Aaron Bohrod under the Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.).
This government program was created on May 6, 1935, to help provide economic relief to the citizens of the United States who were suffering through the Great Depression.
On Aug. 27, 1934, Postmaster George L. Hausmann was notified that out of the 25 sites offered for construction of the new federal building, the corner location of the Schulte home at Fourth and Johnson streets was chosen.  

15 Years Ago

1995 – Brent Ellis, 31, joined the Vandalia Police Department as a patrolman, filling the vacancy created by the resignation of “Sonny” Banal.
Bill Donaldson was the keynote speaker for a Veterans Day program at Crawford-Hale American Legion Post 95.
John Burnam was re-elected president of the Vandalia Board of Education. John Gehrke took a seat on the board, succeeding Calvin Scott.
Fayette County began a search for a new animal control warden following the resignation of Max Pummill.

This week’s Mystery Banks Photo: These young women were pictured during a physical education class at Brownstown High School more than 60 years ago. Two now live in Vandalia, one in Beecher City and one in Freeport.
Do you know them? If so, call The Leader-Union, 283-3374.
In last week’s Mystery Banks Photo was: Gary Stine.
Identifying her was: Charlotte Bone.
This week’s Scrambler:  cussesc lysluau mosec ot sehot ohw rea oto sybu ot eb glinkoo rof ti.