Crayne, Kentucky . . My Hometown

Crayne Knobs Rest In Peace

2012-01-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

These two photos were made on Friday, Jan. 6th, 2012. The final days before the blasting begins on Wed. Jan. 11th.

Some are just taking the destruction as a new form of entertainment while the folks that love them are greatly saddened to this happening.

The landscape for miles around will never be the same after this Wednesday. Viewing them today from the Fredonia Valley was a sight that will not be seen again. The story is that there is no money for the actual paving of the roadway as of now and it will only be a muddy torn up passageway for years to come.

Following the Destruction of the Knobs

2012-01-01T15:45:00.000-08:00

This picture was made the week of Dec. 19, 2011. The destruction continues.

Knobs being destroyed

2011-12-21T06:45:00.000-08:00

Another historic event for the old residents of the Crayne community is the centuries old local landmark of the entire area is being destroyed in the name of progress. It may be progress to some, to others it is not, it's just the destruction of something that should be left alone.

Monday of this week, Dec. 19, 2011 the new US 641 corridor in Crittenden County between Marion and Fredonia was started. Above is a picture that was made that same day. The road is to go between the historic twin knobs, taking much of the rocks and boulders with it. You can see the heavy machinery in the lower part of the picture as it clears away the trees for the other equipment to come through.

Historical Change - United Presbyterian Church

2011-12-20T05:55:00.000-08:00

When the Crayne United Presbyterian Church was organized in 1892 it was a Cumberland Presbyterian Church, started from members of the Piney Fork CP Church. These people lived in the Crayneville area and found it difficult to travel the distance to Piney Fork to attend services.

In 1907 the church denomination changed and became a United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. congregation. In 1983 the United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. and the Presbyterian Church in the United States reunited to form the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. The church remained a United Presbyterian Church for 104 years.

This past fall history has once again changed the future of the church. Article written Nov. 17, 2011 by pastor, Tommy Hodge. It reads: Crayne Church Changes Name. Crayne Presbyterian Church USA, a longtime member of the Western Kentucky Presbytery and the National Presbyterian Church, has severed ties to the national church and changed its name. The church will further be known as Crayne Community Church. The change stems from a controversial change in policy by the parent organization.

Earlier this year, the nation Presbyterian Church USA voted into effect potential practices that completely contradict the teaching of the Bible, which the Crayne Church holds as their standard of living. The Presbyterian national assembly last year endorsed removing a rule that banned openly gay men and lesbians to serve as pastors in the church.

The Crayne Church felt led by God to take a stand against this moral decline and didn't want to be associated with the national assembly that approved this decision.

The church hasn't changed and worshiping the Lord will continue as it has in the years past. The only change will be the changing of the name, which is now the Crayne Community Church.

Crayne Community Church located on the Crayne Cemetery Road.

Dorroh Home Sold

2011-10-16T12:18:00.000-07:00

Saturday, October 15, 2011, was an end to an era in our community of Crayne. The James Robert Dorroh home sold at auction.

The house, I think ,is the oldest home in the community of Crayne, except for the Cruce house on top of Crayne Hill.

James Robert, in some of his history articles about his beloved community of Crayne, told that the house was over a hundred years old in the year 2000.

The old house was heavily damaged in the tornado that hit Crayne on Jan. 3, 2000, but he saw to it the damage was repaired and it was fixed to its original beauty. As shown in the picture above.

I hope the new owners will care and respect the old home as James Robert did.

Crayne Moms

2011-05-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

This wonderful old picture of these wonderful Crayne Moms was made about June 1940.
I wish I knew what they had been doing on this day to all be together.
Pictured sitting down on left is my Mom, Evah Lee Brantley Travis, with my brother Billie Ewell on her lap, he looks to be about 3 months old; next is Thelma Brown Cruce and second son, Donald "Donnie", next is Mildred Highfil, we think she may be holding Doris Binkley;
Standing up in back left is Juanita Brown Cruce with Richard Cruce (who is Thelma's 1st son) and on the right is Velda Ordway with Barbara Cruce, who is Juanita's daughter.

February Snow 2011

2011-02-14T12:43:00.000-08:00

To document this wintry February 2011, this is a picture of my home in Crayne, made on Feb. 9, 2011 by an old friend, Gwen, as she was driving through Crayne on her way to Marion.

Old memories of years gone by, as we spent many an hour playing in the snow, prompted her to make this snowy picture.

Children's Day - 1895

2010-08-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Crayneville Sunday school met in Ordway Grove Sunday, June 23, and carried out the following programme:
(I wonder where Ordway Grove was located)

Words of Welcome - B. F. Jacobs.
Introductory Scripture Lesson - Rev.James F. Price
Recitation - Lucy Ordway
Recitation - Florence Tabor
Music, by Rays of Light.
Recitation by Myrtle Jacobs.
Recitation by Maudie Davis
Recitations and Music by primary Class with Rays of Light singing an echo. Talk by Amanda Jacobs.
Recitation by Lee McCaslin.
A greeting from our general Supt. of Sunday School work, - H. P. Jacobs.
Intermission of about two hours which was highly enjoyed by all as they gathered around the bountiful supply of food spread before them.
After recess the importance of Sunday School work was discussed by J. M. McCaslin, B. F. Jacobs and others.
Children's Day, its object and aim by J. P. Jacobs, James F. Price , B. F. McMican, J. R. Cole.
Importance of primary teaching, P. H. Woods and others.

Crayne Cemetery Fish Fry June 4th 2010

2010-06-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

The Crayne Annual Fish Fry was held June 4th, 2010. We had a very successful afternoon and appreciate everyone that came and supported this annual event. The proceeds all go towards the upkeep of our Crayne Cemetery. It's always a pleasure to see old familiar Crayne citizens at this event. Although many have passed away since the Fish Fry first started in June of 1999.

Some of the familiar faces to this years fish fry, and who do not live here now, but still call Crayne home are: Helen Cruce and sister Mary Jean Cruce Fear, daughters of George and Christine Cruce.

The gentleman on the left is Bob Fear, Mary Jean's husband, and Mary Jean is the one on the far right.
Helen is sitting at the end of the table. I'm not sure who the young lady is beside Mary Jean.

Familiar local and old friends in this picture are:
Left: Harold Cannon and wife Carolyn Gilland Cannon and Carloyn's sister, Elaine Gilland Shinall.

Harold and Carolyn are childhood friends for the old Crayne days. They are always ready with a big smile for everyone.

Some of the volunteer workers, that if not for them, we couldn't have the fish fry. Here are some of the as they are getting the food prepared.

From left: Jim Estes, Emmett and Bernice (Sutton) Jennings and Bonnie Gass.

Emmett, Bernice and helper Bonnie Gass, are preparing their delicious hush puppies. Emmett and Bernice have been regulars at this event since it first started.

This is new board member, Billy Joe Rushing, and the regular fish fryer of the event.

Everyone says it's the best fish ever and there is always plenty to eat.

We hope to continue the annual event in 2011 and hope to see everyone there.

Memorial Day

2010-05-30T18:32:00.000-07:00

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Resting in the Crayne Cemetery are the remains of Ellis B. Ordway, World War I Veteran, and the first Crittenden County young man to give the ultimate sacrifice for our country. He was a Crayne citizen and the son of William and Julia Ordway.

He was in Co. A 16th Infantry. His comrades spoke of him as a brave soldier. He was sent to the front to Aragonne Forest, where he was wounded twice by a machine gun in the right let on the 17th day of July 1918 and he died July 26th, 1918 from his wounds. at the young age of 23.

Although he died in 1918, his remains weren't returned home to Crayne until April 1921. His service was conducted in the presence of a large crowd of sympathetic friends at the Crayne Presbyterian Church. The remains were wrapped in the American Flag, for which he fought and died.

He has a family tombstone.

Other veterans that have military markers are: Raymond Fletcher, WWI; Burnie Rogers, WWI; Clarence Holloman, WWI; Roy Boisture, WWI; Denton Crider, WWI; Norvel Tabor, WWI; Jonas Rushing,WWI; Sgt. Frank Evans, Spanish American War, Phillipines, and WWI.

Henry Ewell Baird, WWII; Harlan Rushing, WWII; James Moss;, WWII; George Hubert Deboe, WWII, Edward Benedict, WWII.

James Woodall Homeplace

2010-05-23T19:22:00.000-07:00

Although not right in the heart of Crayne, James and Melva Woodall and son Tracy were always a part of the Crayne Community, as were the other families that lived on the Crayne Cemetery Road .

The children of the families that lived on the Crayne Cemetery road always attend the Crayne School, and some attended the Crayne Churches. Their lives were always a part of the community and in the years past most everyone was kin to each other one way or the other. So we were all like family.

The picture above is of James and Melba first home. They lived here all the years that I was growing up. The home always a familiar sight as you drove by. The house has sat empty now for several years. James and Melba are both deceased and buried in the Crayne Cemetery. Son Tracy has sold the home place and farm, and today as I drove by on my way the the cemetery, I saw that the old home has been taken down. It's just a bare spot were the house used to sit. Things change, time goes on, but it's rather lonely now without the familiar old house on the hill.

(Picture made in May of 2009)

Myers Grocery

2010-05-02T18:03:00.000-07:00

One of the grocery stores that Crayne used to have was the Myers Grocery. It was owned and operated by Allie and Mary Emma (Dorroh) Myers. The block building was built in 1960, on the location of the former Dorroh's Store. The inventory consisted of groceries and some hardware.

This is a picture of the store in 1961. In the picture are left to right: Henry Ordway, Allie Kirk and Mr. Allie Myers, owner of the store.

Later they sold the inventory to a Mr. and Mrs. Locket Nunn of Sturgis. in 1964 Mr. and Mrs. Nunn moved the store inventory to old Kuttawa.

At right is a 1961 ad for their store from the Crittenden Press. Look at those prices.

The building was later used as an antique store for several different people. It was opened as the Crayne Grocery some years back, but it didn't last long and now is empty again except for storage by the owners. The people that owned the building and tried to run a grocery store said the food trucks said they didn't buy enough to pay them to stop, so they had to close.

Seth and Velma Ferguson Home

2010-04-25T18:26:00.000-07:00

Known for many, many years as the Ferguson house, home of Seth, Velma, Sandra and Sheryl. The home was sold in 2008 and now belongs to another family.

It sits across from the Crayne Presbyterian Church on Crayne Cemetery Road. For the most part it looks as it did all my life. The carport was added on in later years, but the front of the home looks the same. The swing-frame that is on the left of the picture has been there for over 60 years. I'm sure the swing is a different one, but Sheryl and I have sit many a times in that swing that was there previously.

I don't know what happened to it, or when it was removed, but in the 1950's and 60's ,and probably many years before, there was a real windmill that sit in the area behind the swing. I've often wondered what happened to that windmill and what was the history behind it.

The steps of the front porch are large sandstone rocks, and I've been told that they were stones from the old sandstone quarry that was located several miles down the road, that I told about in a previous posting. Also the foundation for the basement was built with these stones.

Lots of childhood memories are connected to this house and my friends the Ferguson's that lived there.

Homes of Crayne Citizens III

2010-03-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some more familiar homes you can see as you drive through Crayne.

Not too way from the Allie and Vera Kirk home was the home of Allie's brother, Vernon "Bud" and Irene Kirk.

I believe this home must have been built around the same time as Allie's home, for Bud and Irene lived in Detroit, Michigan for a while. Their children Kenneth and Linda were born in Michigan. By 1942 they had moved back to Crayne, and their third child, Jim was born.

After Bud died in 1989, Irene moved to Marion, and the house and farm were sold soon after. This is the way the house looks today. I don't know who owns it or lives there now.

Right in the heart of Crayne is my home. My dad started building this home about 1947. It was going to be for my grandmother, Ethel Brantley, Mom's mother. She lived right next door and her home was the larger house, plenty big for our family of four. When this house was started it had only 3 rooms, only the necessary rooms, kitchen, bedroom and a living room.

Somehow along the way, the plans were changed and Mom and Dad decided to keep the new house and over the years Daddy kept adding on the it, with large bathroom, family room, utility room, until in finally ended up with nine rooms. It was a wonderful home to grow up in, as there was always room for our friends to visit. This picture was made in 2004, and it looks the same all but the ice storm damaged the sugar maples in the yard and now they are only tree trunks with some stubby limbs. It's still my home.

Friend share memories

2010-03-02T05:56:00.000-08:00

My childhood friend, Nancy Ellen Sutton Lynch, is a follower of my Crayne Blog. She grew up on the Lilly Dale School Road. She has a memory that is unbelievable about the people, places and things that took place while she was a child. She shared some of these memories after she read the last two postings about the old homes.

From Nancy:

"When I saw Mr. Allie and Mrs. Vera's house, I could hear her voice in the choir at church. She sure was a singer and enjoyed it so much. I think that she played the piano, too. Mrs. Wilma Keeling was the regular one, but I'm sure Mrs. Vera was the back up player.

Miss Ida Ordway's home didn't look much different in the picture and when she lived in it. One Halloween, some of the boys thought how funny it would be to scare Miss Ida. Well, they were the ones that got the surprise. She fired a rifle right over their heads. When they took off running, they ended up running into a barbed wire fence. So I'd say that Miss Ida got the last laugh."

Homes of Crayne Citizens

2010-02-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

This old empty house was once the home of William "Bill" and Julia (Long) Ordway. The house is located just a mile or more south of Crayne, almost directly across the road from the Allie and Vera Kirk home that is listed in the last article.

The history of when the house was built is not known for sure, but it is probably at least a hundred years old. Bill and Julia Ordway lived here until they died and then their daughter Ida Ordway lived here until she died Jan. 22, 1967. The house has sat empty every since. It has withstood wind, rain, snow, sleet, hail and still stands today . This picture was made in the summer of 2008.

William Ordway was born Nov. 15, 1855 and died April 10, 1925. His wife Julia was born July 8, 1859 and died Dec. 23, 1935. They are all buried at the Crayne Cemetery.

Homes of Crayne citizens

2010-02-25T16:46:00.000-08:00

Allie and Vera Kirk Home. Located about a mile south of Crayne on Hwy. 641. Their son, Maurie Huston Kirk, told me this house was built in 1941. The basement was built with a team of mules and a scraper. They mixed the concrete there at the house site and poured it.

Vera died in 1995 and Allie continued to live in their family home until he passed away in 2001 at the age of 99.

The house sat empty until the summer of 2009 when Houston and Virginia's grandson, Matthew Systo moved into the house. The home once again has family members occupying it's once empty rooms. It's always good to see family members taking care of their old homeplace.

Our beloved Crayne Knobs

2010-02-15T09:09:00.000-08:00

Crayne is nestled at the foot of the Crayne Knobs. They have also been called the Twin Knobs, as they were so close together and as you can see from the picture, almost the same size and shape. The shape has become somewhat distorted in the past years and they have been logged for timber and then the 2009 ice storm left the remaining timber in a sad shape.

These friendly knobs were wonderful to all the kids growing up in Crayne. Several generations of families have had children that love to "go to the knobs" for a day of fun and adventure. I've spend hours and hours here playing on the rocks, climbing looking for new hideouts, finding all kinds of wild ferns growing on the moss covered rocks, and standing on the top thinking we had conquered the world. All seasons had fun times on the knobs or at the foot of them, for there were small ponds in the fields, and creeks that ran through the woods. When it would snow, me and brother Billie, would head for the knobs for tracking of animals. What fun it was just to follow the rabbit tracks that were everywhere and around the streams would be other kinds of tracks that just ran on endlessly.

Childhood friends that I grew up with and played on the knobs with were Sheryl and Sandra Ferguson, Clinton Bigham, and Harold Cannon. My faithful wonderful little dog, Bullet, always went with me too. He and I made many trips just by ourselves, visiting this favorite childhood place to play and dream.

It has been a few years since I've made that long remembered walk to the Knobs. They called for me to come for a visit on a sunny Saturday afternoon in March of 1996. I climbed to the top and looked out over my home of Crayne and it was as it always had been. Below you could see the little village with the Crayne USA Presbyterian church in the center and the homes nestled all around. A wonderful peaceful site, and I must make that trip again - come springtime.

Crayne Cemetery

2010-01-28T11:06:00.000-08:00

The Crayne Cemetery sits a top a gradual slopping hill. You don't realize that you are this high up until you reach the cemetery and stand and look around at the country side. It's a beautiful view from the top, no matter what season it is.

No document has been found that actually tells when the Crayne Cemetery was started or who gave the land for this purpose. It has been said that the Spurlin Woodall family gave the land, but there is no deed at the Court House to document the fact. It must have been done by the year 1900, for the first burial that is noted is Dec. 7, 1900 for Leona Tabor, an infant belonging to G. J. and Elressie Jennings Tabor. Soon after this date, other burials started being here.

These are the steps leading up to the cemetery from the front entrance. Several years ago the bank was lined with beautiful old Cedar Trees. I hated to see them go since they had always been a part of the cemetery. But it seems they had become rather tattered from the weather over the years and some thought they needed to cut down as limbs were always breaking off of them. But the cemetery has never looked the same since they were cut down.

The cemetery holds many of the loved one from the Crayne community and surrounding area. Many of the old family names, that were so familiar years ago to the Crayne community, are all gone now. The original family members all passed away and their children moved away to different places.

The cemetery is home to Civil War Vet, David Brookshire, also the 1st Crittenden County young man to be killed in action in World War I, Ellis B. Ordway, son of William and Julia Long Ordway. Killed July 26, 1918 in France. There are other Veterans buried here also, put mostly just ordinary working folks who loved Crayne and never wanted to leave and if they did have to leave, wanted to come back for their last resting place in their hometown cemetery.

The Crayne Cemetery is lucky to have a local Cemetery Board who oversees the maintenance and care. of it. On the 1st Saturday in June, for the past several years, they have a fish fry to raise funds to go into the account to help keep the Cemetery maintained.

Remembering James Robert Dorroh

2010-01-15T18:36:00.000-08:00

James Robert Dorroh passed away today, Jan. 15th. He will be missed by all his friends and loved ones. His presence will be missed in many areas of the community. His spot in the Crayne Presbyterian Church will be empty and cannot be filled. His shy smile and dry sense of humor will be missed by all that knew him.

James Robert loved his hometown of Crayne, and thanks to him there is a lot of history recorded about the early days of this little community. He knew so much history about the people and the stores that used to be in the community. We are lucky that he wrote several articles about his memories, we are fortunate to have these.

He would have been 84 on Feb. 11th of 2010. The picture at the right is at the Crayne School Reunion this past August 2009. He was sharing some of his school memories with the people that were there. His memory was very sharp and clear.

All summer long I had meant to stop and visit with him, as I had some questions I wanted to talk to him about. As happens so many times, I waited too long and now it's too late. He is gone and the questions will remain unanswered. I'll miss you James Robert and the community of Crayne will sadly miss you. You were the heart behind Crayne Day.

Jan. 3rd, 2000 Tornado Anniversary

2010-01-03T17:36:00.000-08:00

Ten years ago today January 3th, 2000, at about 3:08 P.M. the tornado struck our little community and almost wiped it off the map. Thankfully no one was seriously hurt, but mentally it was devastating.

The day had been unusually warm and humid for the winter month of January. I was at work at the Board of Education Office. Dr. Lacy, our Superintendent, had been watching the skies and weather forecast . As the skies darkened and turned a greenish color he told all the employees to get in the hallway of the office. The buses had already started out on their afternoon routes to deliver the students home. The short wave radio's were going full blast as everyone was trying to report their status. The buses on Highway 641 and all routes leading into Crayne were halted. No one could get into the town. All ways of entry were cut off by fallen trees. This was every way, North, South, East and West, all roads were impassable.

I still didn't know for sure what had happened. I called my Mom, Evah Lee Travis, and thankfully the phones were still working. She was in tears and scared to death, she told me "we've had a tornado." She was unharmed, just scared and frightened. I tried to get into the town through the Chapel Hill Road, but it was blocked by large fallen trees, I got close enough to where I could walk in, or I ran in , as I was really frightened by now, for I was unprepared for what I was going to see. Never had I seen such destruction to our little town. I came in on the North side, close to James Robert Dorroh's house, it had been badly damaged by the roof being partially blowed off and his large trees uprooted and on the house.

(This is a picture of his house after a few days later. The tree had been cut and you can see the base of it on the bottom left.)

As I went on through the center of town, there was parts of buildings, trailers, blown everywhere, insulation from the trailers had put a pink stuffing on everything. Electricity was out, wires were down everywhere,you had to watch where you walked as not to step or trip on them. Fallen trees and limbs lined the highway.

I finally got to our house. Thankfully my Mom and our home were alright. There were some roofing shingles blown off, the air conditioner unit had been moved off it's base, and some damage to the vinyl siding. But no windows were broken out and the roof was all intack. We were very fortunate, alot more so that other folks.

The residents of Crayne were out and going around trying to check on their neighbors and friends, everyone was worried about everyone, the yards were full of standing water and debris caused by the storm.

The clean-up went on for weeks and months and all through the year, and into the next year and beyond. Most all the ancient sugar maple trees that had so beautifully lined the highway of Crayne were gone. The storm had damaged the old Crayne school house and the little block school room and they had to taken down. The Crayne US Presbyterian Church was damaged and was said to be unsafe to use. Many tears and much heartache was caused by this. Finally it was torn down and a new one built in it's place.

The tree root in the picture at the right was in front of Pam and Roger Tinsley house across from the Crayne Post Office.

Things in Crayne were never the same after that Jan. 3rd, 2000. Although the people and friends all worked and got things cleaned up, it was just such an emotional trial for everyone. My Mom never fully recovered from the emotional effect it had on her, and probably others had been effected the same. That June there was no annual Crayne Day, something else that was hurting to the community. Although there have been other Crayne Day's since then, the heart of the community has never been into it like it was before the storm.

Many of the old time residents are gone today and a few new families have moved in. But we still have our familiar Crayne Presbyterian Church and our same post office and our friendly postmistress. So that it good.

Winter Snows

2009-12-17T16:10:00.000-08:00

As a child growing up in Crayne, me and my friends always wished and prayed for a big snow during the wintertime. When you are kid snow is wonderful, it's just something new and wonderful to play in. I know now what a hardship it was for our parents.

The picture at the right is the winter of 1958. I have written in my picture album, "The Biggest Snow is Seven Years." I was thrilled. So was our best friend and dog, "Bullet." He loved the snow as much as us kids did. He would run through it throwing it up in the air and catching it in his mouth.

You can see the old Crayne school house in the back ground. We were still going to school there when this picture was made.

This picture was made in the winter of 1959-60. That is my Dad, Billie M. Travis, standing on the porch of our home at Crayne. Two big snows this close together was really something.

This was a big wet snow. It had to be rather bad to travel on because it kept my Dad from going to work at Mexico. I hardly ever remember him not being able to get to work.

These are wonderful memories for me, playing in the snow, making snow angels, snow forts, snow men, tracking wild animals in the fields, and mom's wonderful snow cream she always made for us. What a way to end a glorious day playing in the snow.

W. R. and Minnie Cruce's Homeplace

2009-12-12T08:26:00.000-08:00

The home place of William Richard "Uncle Dick" and "Aunt Minnie" Cruce. The beautiful old two-story home has been a landmark for many years. It sits at the top of what we always called Crayne Hill.

Uncle Dick and Aunt Minnie always kept their Civil War era home is top repair, and it was a show place of the area.

The picture at the right is the way the home used to look in the 1920's and up until the past 10 years or so. Today the porches are still there but the screened in section has been removed and the second story balcony and railing have been removed. It's hard to tell that it is this same home in the picture.

Today, Edna Nell Cruce Dunagan, the fifth generation of Cruces' lives in the house. There is some new work going on at the place with bricks being layed on the porch floors and bottom of the columns.

Aunt Minnie Cruce was known for her love of flowers and her beautiful flower gardens. They were a showcase of color in the summer. One I remember so well was her pink and white Peonies. She was known as having a 'green thumb' in that all she planted grew to be large and beautiful. The story was told that when she died July 30, 1965, that she had made arrangements that her garden hoe was to buried with her. The local undertaken told me some years later that this was true, that she did have her hoe place in the casket with her. I'd say there are some beautiful flowers in Heaven today.

Cortis Hill Farm

2009-12-03T14:05:00.001-08:00

In 1958 The Crittenden Press ran a series of pictures of local farms. The readers were suppose to see if they could identify the farms. This picture appeared in August 1958.

Mystery Farm 14 was identified as the Mrs. Eugene Dorroh and Mr. and Mrs. Cortis Hill farm, which is operated by the Hill's. It was located on the Crayne View Road several miles from Crayne.

The history of the farms was Mr. Dorroh purchased the farm from Mr. Jeff I. Clement in 1947 and began to use soil conservation practices on t he farm. There was 840 acres in the farm as Mr. Dorroh had two farms which joined the Clement farm.

Cortis said that he began farming with Mr. Dorroh, his father-in-law in 1951 and continued to operate the farm. Corn, wheat, barley and soy beans were the main crops. Livestock consisted of beef cattle, mostly Angus and hogs.

Cortis married his wife, Dorothy Dorroh, in 1946. They had two children, at the time, Gary, 10 and Richard 5. The family belongs to Crayne Cumberland Presbyterian Church and are active in its affairs.

This history was from the 1958 Press article. The farm now is owned by Bonnie Turner and farmed by Van Hunt. I don't believe the nice home is still there today.

Church Steeple

2009-11-30T03:38:00.001-08:00

The Crayne Presbyterian Church Steeple was placed in memory of Jackie Dorroh. On Wednesday August 31, 1994, a steeple was erected on top of the church. The steeple was placed there in memory of Jackie Elizabeth Dorroh, who died in an automobile accident June 16, 1993. Her husband James Robert Dorroh and family undertook the project.

James Robert said his family was given permission to place the steeple on the church because his wife had said before her death that she would like to see a steeple on the building.

This picture was made last week, Tuesday, Nov. 24th, 2009. The hale storm we had in August had badly dented the steeple. It had to be taken down and repaired at the place where it was purchased. So Tuesday it was put back in it's place of honor on the church.

Crayne Items, Dec. 7, 1951

2009-11-24T16:33:00.000-08:00

Crayne was busy little community in the 1950's. During Thanksgiving time there was a lot of visiting of family and friends. Here are some Crayne items from November 1951.

Mr. Jerry Brown, of Detroit, spent the Thanksgiving holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown.
Miss Margaret Howard was the week end guest of Mr. and Mrs. Werdie Woodward and family.
Mr. Bud Davenport, of Gary, Ind., has been visiting his mother, Mrs. Alma Davenport and Mrs. Clarence Agee.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Alexander and Diana, Mrs. Lola Alexander, Misses Lois and Louise Woodall and Miss Margaret Howard were the Sunday visitors of Mr. and Mrs. Lessly Woodall.
Mrs. Leffell Boswell and Mrs. Seth Ferguson were in Paducah, shopping Monday.
Miss Sue Keeling spent Saturday night with Miss Bernice Sutton.
Mr. and Mrs. Herb Cruce, Mrs. Claude Cruce and family visited Mr. and Mrs. Don Grandstaff and son Sunday.

Carlton Grocery Store

2009-11-20T17:06:00.000-08:00

For those of that grew up in Crayne, this store was a familiar sight. Mr. J. C. Carlton built this store in 1932.

In 1935 Mr. and Mrs. George Long purchased the store building, the residence, and the inventory from Mr. Carlton. There was also a cream station located in the store run by Mrs. Long.

Through the years this building was a grocery store, a restaurant, run by Mr. and Mrs. Orlin Binkley. This was in the 1950's. I remember the booths in the restaurant and the old jute box they had. I was only a little girl then, but it was fun to go the restaurant and watch the older girls and boys dance to the jute box music.

Later the store was a lamp store run by Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ordway, then back to a grocery store run by James Robert and Jackie Dorroh, and the last business located there was a craft store run by Mr. Rubin Height. He made and sold wood crafts there. I still have a Christmas reindeer that he made. This was in the late 1980's.

It seems all good things have to go, and so did the little building with all its history and memories. It was torn down in 1988.

Crayne Presbyterian Church Corner Stone

2009-11-15T05:20:00.000-08:00

From The Crittenden Press, April 6, 1893.

The Corner Stone. Imposing ceremonies mark the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

On March 26, 1893, at 4 o'clock a large congregation from different parts of the county were gathered together at Crayneville, Ky to see Rev. B. T. Watson, your pastor, lay the corner stone of the new Presbyterian Church here.

All present joined in singing the grand old hymn, "How Firm a Foundation." Twelve elders were chosen from the following churches: Marion, Sugar Grove, Piney Fork and Crayneville. Each Elder took their stand at twelve stones of the foundation and remained there during the service.

The following records were deposited in the stone.

Holy Bible
Roll of Membership
One copy of Confession of Faith
One copy of C. P. Paper
One copy of Missionary Record
One copy of S. S. Comments
One copy of Rays of Life
One copy of Our Lambs
One copy of Crittenden Press
One copy of Marion Monitor
Roll of membership of the Christian Workers Society
Roll of membership of S.S.
A memento, a lock of hair of Mr. D. W. Deboe, and a silver dime giving the date when he was elected elder in the C. P. Church

These were placed in a small box and then placed in the box which was cut in the stone and the stone was laid in its place to stand as a monument that the people of this generation love and serve the Great Father of the Universe, who's Son is our "Chief Corner Stone."

This historic corner stone is resting today at the entrance of the new Presbyterian Church that was built after this old church was torn down in 2001, due to the tornado damage of Jan. 3, 2000.

From our home in Crayne there was just a field between our house and this church. As children we roamed and played around this whole area and around the church grounds. I would have been around 9 and my brother Billie about 12 years old. Billie was at the church during this time when some men were doing some work on the church's foundation. When they removed the stone from it's place it was found that the metal box had all rusted and it was just bits of metal. Most of the paper items had all rotted away. You could see bits of Bible pages and a few scraps of paper with writing. The piece of braided hair was still there and the silver dime. Those two things was all that survived the water that had collected in the rock over the years.

Railroad Crossing Trestle

2009-11-11T08:01:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of the railroad crossing that used to be located on the A. H. Clement Road. The large sandstone rocks, taken from the rock quarry in the article below, were used to help build up the banks to hold the track.

The crossing was taken out in 1999-2000 right after the rail road tracks were taken up in 1999.

Crittenden County has one rail road trestle left, it is located at what we called Winlow Park on Hwy. 60 East about 5 miles from Marion. I wonder if the people that owned the land didn't want it taken down and that it why is was saved from destruction.

Crayne's Rock Quarry

2009-11-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Illinois Central Railroad Rock Quarry

The information for this history was shared with me by Greg Stallion. His family used to live on Loyd Road just South of Crayne.

Located on approximately 160-180 acres of woodland 1.5 miles East of Crayne midway between the Crayne Cemetery Road and Loyd Road. The current property owner is former Crayne resident Marcus Norman of Evansville, Indiana.

This quarry is believed to have been first established in Crayneville by the Illinois Central Railroad Company in order to supply stone needed to construct the railways being built through Crittenden County during the late 1870's. Large deposits of sandstone were extracted from this site and also used to build chimneys, stepping stones and foundations of various community homes. (There was a couple of these large stones that were at my Grandmother's home, Ethel Brantley's, at her home on the corner of Crayne Cemetery Road and Hwy. 641) and they were used as a walking bridge over the large ditch to walk from her yard to the highway.) I've also been told that some of these stones were also used in the community of Fredonia, Ky as stepping stones for sidewalks and patio's.

The site of which the rock quarry once stood is only visible by those who knew where it once was. Although heavy wooded growth now dominates the old working area, large cut rocks of various sizes are still present in the old quarry.

It appeared to be that the workers of the Illinois Central Railroad Rock Quarry first began cutting their stones out of the nearby bluff itself, starting approximately 35 feet in height and working down.

The quarry was only active for a period of a few short years (1-2), closing shortly after the full construction of the railway.

In the picture above made by Greg Stallion about 5 years ago, the stones were nicely stacked. I've been told just last year, that many of the large cut stones have been taken and not many are left now and the place is a mess.

Crayne School Reunion August 22, 2009

2009-11-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

Crayne School Reunion

The Crayne School Reunion was held August 22, 2009. Although not as many attended this year as in 2006, the afternoon was sure enjoyed by those that came.

The oldest student there was Houston Kirk, he is 86 years old. The next oldest was James Robert Dorroh at 83 years old. Both are in good health and attend church and activities regularly.

Edwin White of Kingsport, TN, drove the farthest at 350 miles.

John Walker, who I hadn't seen for over 40 years, drove from St. Louis for the day.

The picture at the right, are three old friends, who attended school all 12 grades together. Grade school at Crayne and High School at Crittenden County High School. Left to Right. Harold Cannon, Clinton Bigham and Me. Thanks for the memories.

Hail Storm of August 11, 2009

2009-11-05T17:13:00.000-08:00

Catching up on the Happenings in My Home Town.

Crayne was once again hit with a storm on August 11, 2009. This time it was a terrible wind and hail store. Many homes were damaged as much or more than by the January 3, 2000 tornado that devastated our little community.

The picture at the right is what was left of one of the windows in my family home. This is a storm window and the inside window, both busted by the large golf size pieces of hail. The shutters were also busted out, shown on the right of the window. The pieces that you see plastered on the upper part of the picture are leaves that was shred from the trees. Siding had holes in it the size of baseballs.

The last of the damaged homes are being repaired this month. New roofs and siding are being completed and people are about back to normal.

The Crayne knobs, which are usually a colorful site in the fall, were so damaged by the wind and hail that they have looked brown and shredded for the rest of the summer. There wasn't one colorful tree to be seen on them this fall.

2009-07-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Making of Future History

The Crayne School Reunion Committee met last night and formed the plans for the 2nd Crayne School Reunion. The first-ever Crayne School Reunion was held on Sept. 9, 2006 and was a big success. Several generations of Crayne school students met at the Crayne Presbyterian Church and exchanged memories, stories, laughter, hugs and friendship.We hope this one will bring back even more of the Crayne students and another enjoyable, memorable day.

Here is the information.
Crayne Reunion Scheduled for August 22, Crayne School reunion will be held August 22, at the Crayne Presbyterian Church fellowship hall, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Anyone who attended school or taught at Crayne and their spouse or guest are invited to attend. Finger foods, desserts and drinks will be served.
Old school pictures and other memorabilia are welcome for display. Dig through those old pictures and share them with old friends.
Reservations may be made by mailing a check for $7 single, or $14 couple as soon as possible to Betty Hodges, 4770 US Hwy 641, Marion, KY 42064,
or Linda Tabor, 5229 US Hwy 641, Marion, KY 42064.

_

Vernon and Wilma Sutton Home

2009-07-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

One of the old homes in Crayne was torn down recently. The home of Vernon, Wilma and Bernice Sutton. It was located just below the home of James Robert Dorroh. The railroad track used to be just to the right of the home on the hill. Bernice grew up with the sounds of the old locomotives going past each day.

Bernice told me that her mom and dad bought the house about 1941 and it was only a two room little house. Through the years, her dad built several more rooms and a bathroom to it and made it the house you see in the picture.

It had a little stream running beneath the trees and Uncle Vernon had built a small concrete bridge over it. I remember when me and Mom visited them when I was little, how I love going back and forth across that little bridge over the stream. Probably hoping I would fall in it.

Bernice had kept the home for many years after her parents passed away, but decided it was time to let go and so she sold it to some folks in Fredonia. They tore the house and out buildings down in May of 2009 and have now moved in a double wide mobile home in the lot.

Bernice and I are first cousins, our Mom's were half-sisters.

Crayne Day History con't.

2009-06-16T18:23:00.001-07:00

Crayne Day 25th Anniversary, June 6th, 2009.

James Robert Dorroh and Houston Kirk, enjoy the morning sitting under the shade of the Maple tree. Both Crayne people from way back. Both are in their 80's. Both fine gentlemen.

Crayne Day was only a shadow of it's former days, with only a few yards sales sit up and that was all. James Robert had some entertainment of music and Rodney Paris was there with his wooden puppet Finis, who danced on a wooden board. Both were really good entertainment.

So many of the former residents that helped with that first Crayne Day so many years ago, have passed away. It's sad to see the little community without it former citizens. People who loved the community and made it a wonderful place to live. But thanks to James Robert for trying to keep the tradition of Crayne Day alive.

Crayne Day History

2009-06-05T05:55:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, June 6th, 2009, will be the 25th anniversary of the start of Crayne Day. It is only a shadow of the original Crayne Days that were held until the year 2000. After the tornado that hit Crayne on January 3rd, nothing was ever the same. It destroyed much of the community and also damaged people's homes, spirits and lives. Not they didn't whole heartily try to come back, rebuild and repair they homes and lives, it was just a hard time.

Now in 2009, James Robert Dorroh, one of the few original remaining Crayne citizens, tries to keep Crayne Day going, it is a hard task. Most all of the first families that helped those first few years are gone. The older residents passed away, and even one of the original creators, Peggy Malcom, has passed away. The homes that held these Crayne families may be empty or have new families in them, that really don't care about the neighborhood like those in the past.

In the first years of Crayne Day, it was just the most wonderful times, the yard sales and vendors would begin as you started down Crayne hill and continue all through the community until you left the other side of Crayne. Old Crayne residents would even plan their trips around this time so they could attend this event. Vendors from surrounding states had heard of the crowds and wanted to come and be a part of the day. Ruby Poindexter Franz became a special attraction each year with her home made fried apple pies. Everything imaginable was avaliable on Crayne Day.

In May of 2007, the Press ran an interview articles with Roseann Bebout, one of the original creators. It tells the history of Crayne Day.

Starting out as a small idea in 1984, it soon ballooned into something more that seemed to bring the life back into a once dying community.

Roseann Bebout, the postmaster at Crayne Post Office, was the one who formulated the plan and mentioned it to a good friend and neighbor of hers, Peggy Malcom. "I had heard James Robert Dorroh mention that Crayne was a dying community, and I wanted to fix it." Bebout said. "So I cam up with an idea that would bring all the neighbors together and just put life back into our community. Of course, when I mentioned the idea to Peggy Malcom, my good friend and neighbor, it was a hit and we started to work on it."

The plan was to just have a neighbor day with yard sales and cooking so life could be restored to the little town. With the plan in their heads, Malcom and Bebout went to setting it in motion. Malcom started moving the idea to other residents of Crayne by word of mouth and Bebout put a poster up at the post office.

It wasn't long before they began to get volunteers and neighbors who were offering their yards so that booths could be set up. Dorroh was one of the neighbors who volunteered to help.

What started out as just an idea for a day for neighbors to get together and have fun, soon grew into a large event and became a yearly celebration for Crayne, which was quickly dubbed Crayne Day.

With visitors coming to Crayne Day, local bands, volunteering to sing and more neighbors participating, Crayne Day had become a huge success.

Now these past times are just a wonderful memory that some of us that participated in the first Crayne Days are lucky to have.

Crayne News August 1949

2009-05-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Can't beat these old Crayne news items to bring back memories of how Crayne used to be, and all the families that lived there. These once familiar names are about all gone in the village of Crayne now. Many of the old home places have been torn down too.

August 19, 1949. Crayne Items submitted by Margaret Howard and Wilma Fletcher.

Mr. and Mrs. D. L. Marvel of Princeton spent the day with Mr. and Mrs. Herb Cruce and Betty Sue Sunday.
Miss Bernice Sutton spent Saturday night with Miss Dorothy Ann Agee.
Mr. and Mrs. Maurie Houston Kirk of Evansville, Ind., spent the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Allie Kirk.
Miss Mary Jean and Helen Cruce, Miss Doris June and Carol Ruth Perryman visited Miss Betty Sue Boyd Sunday afternoon.
Miss Wilma J. Fletcher visited Mr. and Mrs. Willie Fletcher Friday afternoon.
Mrs. E. R. Brown of Princeton, Eddie, Carl, and Helen Brown visited Mr. and Mrs. Pete Binkley and children.
Mrs. Orgie Stevens is very ill and is now in Marion Hospital.
Mr. and Mrs. Preston Perryman and Billy Joe visited Mr.and Mrs. Thomas Perryman and family on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Thompson and son of Frankfort, Ky. spent the week end with Mr. and Mrs. Preston Perryman and Joe of Crayne.
Mr. Marcus Norman is home from college.
Miss Wilma Fletcher and Miss Margaret Howard spent Friday night and Saturday with Mr. Emmett Fletcher and children of Fredonia.
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Woodall, Lois, Louise and Bernice Sutton went to Kuttawa Sunday afternoon.
Miss Louise Bigham, Mr. and Mrs. Houston Bigham and boys, Jimmy and Clinton, visited Mrs. Georgia Howard Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. Ethel Brantley visited Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Sutton Sunday afternoon.
Several from Crayne attended the Box Supper at Mexico School Friday.

Crayne's World War I Hero

2009-05-24T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ellis B Ordway, First Crittenden Countian Killed in WW I

Ellis B Ordway was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Ordway, of Crayne. He was a member of the Crayne Cumberland Presbyterian Church, as were his parents.

Although he died on June 28, 1917, his body wasn't able to be sent home until April 1921. The Crittenden Press headlines read, Remains of Overseas Hero Brought Home.

Ellis Ordway was a volunteer in the World War, Having enlisted in June 1917 and was sent to Columbus, Ohio where he was kept in training for only a short time, going over seas in the last of June. He was in Co. A. 16th Infantry.

His comrades speak of him as a brave soldier. He was sent to the front to Argonne Forest, where he was wounded twice by a machine gun in the right leg on the 17th day of July and died the 28th from his wounds.

His body arrived in Crayne Tuesday morning from overseas and the funeral was conducted in the presence of a large crowd of sympathetic friends. The body was laid to rest in the Crayne Cemetery.

Crayne Railroad

2009-05-18T06:01:00.000-07:00

Crayne Railroad, remembered by James Robert Dorroh. James Robert is the oldest living resident of Crayne, that has lived here all his life and knows more history of the little community than anyone. Most all the old Crayne families have died out or moved away. There may be some older folks than James Robert, but none that has spent their whole life in the community of Crayne.

The picture of the Rail Road Crossing sign is located at Crayne, behind James Robert's home place. I'm sure he had the railroad leave it when they took out the railroad tracks, for it is the only sign in it's kind left in the county.

In or about 1888 the Ohio Valley Railroad Company built a new railroad through Crittenden County. This road came through Crayneville, Ky., opening up a new way to travel and move products. Crayneville also had a tobacco factory, located on the East side of the railroad, known to us as the freight yard.

There were three passenger trains running north and south a day stopping at Crayneville, plus the freight train schedule. Located here were a passing track and section crew, who worked repairing the tracks. Also a nice depot where many agents worked through the years of the railroad. Remembering three agents, a Mr. Weams Croft, Mr. Alvie Brown and a Mr. Marshall.

In my day the railroad was known as the Illinois Central.

In 1982 the tack closed and sometime later was purchased by Pyro Equipment Company. In 1989 the P. and L. Company of Paducah leased the railroad and rebuilt the track from Princeton to Blackford.

In 1999 the removal of the railway that was established through the heart of Crittenden was started, and then the end of our railroad history was finished. Many people thought this was a foolish thing to do, removing our railroad tracks.

The picture above is a pleasant sight to see, reminding us of the trains than once ran through our community of Crayne.

Crayne Musicians

2009-05-10T18:27:00.001-07:00

Crayne String Band

My article in The Crittenden Press this week will include the picture on the right. It is will be about old time Fiddler's contest and Singing conventions.

This picture is a wonderful old picture of some of Crayne's hometown families.

On the left is Jonas Rushing, with guitar, although he was better remembered for his fiddling talents. He won several fiddling contests around the area.

Next is Elbert Brown with his fiddle. Everyone in the Crayne area new Mr. Brown and his fiddle. He also played at many on the local and school get togethers.

Mr. Hughey McCaslin, played the Base fiddle.

Mr. Nat Sutton, in this picture played the mandoline. He also played the fiddle.

Crayne 4-H Friends

2009-05-06T18:20:00.001-07:00

Crayne 8th grade 4-H's in 1959. The Crayne 4-H Cooking Class had gathered at Merle Cannon's house for a cooking class in February 1959.

Left to right: Peggy Binkley, Sheryl Ferguson, Dottie Parmley, Paulette Rushing holding the flour sifter, Merle Cannon our leader in the background, Nancy Ellen Sutton with the measuring cup, and Linda Jo Baird looking up receipts. I was behind the camera at this meeting.

Crayne School had a very active 4-H Club thanks to our caring teacher, Mrs. Annabelle Alexander. She kept us girls busy with all the projects and activities that went with being 4-H members. She also was active with the boys in our class, teaching them basic of cooking a delicious stew and many other useful things that wasn't taught in the average school day.

Crayne Items - 1950

2009-05-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

Crayne Community Items, Jan. 5, 1950 submitted to the Press by Margaret Howard.

There was a Christmas program at the U.S.A. Presbyterian Church Saturday night nd also one at the C. P. Church Sunday night. There was a nice crowd each one.
Rev. James H. Jones preached at the U.S.A. Presbyterian Church Sunday.
Rev. Eugene Lindsey filled his regular appointment at the C. P. Church.
Rev. Eugene Lindsey, Mr. Wordie Woodard, Marion, Mr. and Mrs. Leffel Boswell, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Brown and Dorothy Nell, Miss Bernice Sutton and Miss Margaret Howard attended a Young Peoples Rally at Madisonville, Sunday.
Mr. Jerry A. Brown spent the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown.
Mrs. Jennie Baird has returned to her home in Crayne after a visit with relatives in Hammond, Ind.
Miss Lois and Louise Woodall, of Evansville spent the week-end with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lessly Woodall.
Mr. and Mrs. Burnie Stone have returned to their home after spending the holidays with Mr. and Mrs. Harold Alexander and Nancy.
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Jones and Tommy returned to their home Friday after spending a few days with their daughter and family in Gary, Ind.
Those on the sick list are: Mrs. Julie Belt and Mr. Tom York.

Crayneville School Closes for Year

2009-04-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

Crayneville School Closes, from The Crittenden Press, March 2, 1905.

The Crayneville School closed Friday afternoon with a very interesting entertainment under the management of the teacher, Miss Rosa Schwab. The program was as follows:

Salute to the Flag - By the School
Recitation, The Rifleman - Carrie Crider
Take Keer of Yerself - Ellis Ordway
Grant and Lee - Dennis Carlton
Recitation, Ain't Goin' to Cry No More - Audie Ordway
Recitation, The Fire Kink - Lucy Bradford
Faith and Work - Ethel McCaslin
School Ma'ams Courtin' - Ida Ordway
The Little Brother - Hester Rushing
The Cheerful Farmer - Claud Tabor
Dialogue, Aunt Pious - Ruby Cook

Early Crayneville

2009-04-21T07:47:00.001-07:00

Crayneville, KY 1891-1892

The ad at the right and the following community items are some of the earliest items I have found on Crayneville. The ad was published in the Sept. 24, 1891 Crittenden Press, and the following community items were May 19, 1892.

Crayneville Community Items.

P.H. Woods and Deboe & Dorroh are our merchants. We have only one church and school house combined.
We have ten dwelling houses, all occupied.
Deboe & Dorroh will pay 11 cents per dozen for eggs this week.
Judge Rushing has departed for parts unknown.
Deboe & Dorroh are selling Fredonia straight grade flour at 65 cents per sack.
Jesse McCaslin had a log rolling Saturday.
Rev. J. F. Price preached to a large crowd here Sunday evening. We have a good Sunday School here; it meets every Sunday at 3 o'clock.
Miss Ada Deboe is visiting Miss Linnie Crayne this week.
Miss Ida Adams gave her friend's a birthday party Saturday night.

Crayne Students 1932-1933

2009-04-17T18:54:00.001-07:00

Crayne Students in 1932-1933.

This photo belonged to my Mom, Evah Lee Brantley Travis.

1st row: Left to Right Bottom step.

Allie Bradford Jr., Wilbur Woodall, Gladys Beard, James Robert Dorroh, Bobby Butler, Ophelia Brown, Louise Jones, Thelma Louise Elkins, Hilda Mae Woodall, Ruby Hunt.

2nd row: Clifton Tabor, Dorothy Glenn Dorroh, Jewell Tabor, Ruth Jane Bigham, Imogene Jones, Ada Nell Bradford, Helen Perryman, Anita Houston, Ronella Stevens, Henry Ewell Baird.

3rd row: James Woodall, Doyle Brown, Evah Lee Brantley, Verble Louis Cruce, Mildred Paris (Teacher), Hilda Baird, Lilly Mae Tabor, J. T. Brown, Oliver Hunt.

The second Crayne School

2009-04-17T18:22:00.001-07:00

The second Crayne School building was built in 1925. It was erected on KY Highway 91 next to the present day Unity General Baptist Church.

It was frame and consisted of two rooms, one larger than the other, and they were called the "big" room, for the upper grades, 6th-8th, and the "little" room for the lower grades.

This school became so crowded that a building down the highway owned by James Dorroh was used for a short time. The 6th-8th grades attended there.

A short time later a small concrete block building was built next to the two room school building for these pupils. (This small concrete building was where I went my first three years of school. The rest of my grade school years were spent in the frame building picture above.)

Crayne school was closed in 1960 and pupils were transported to Marion or Frances. Mrs. Annabelle Alexander was the teacher in the upper grades when the school closed.

Both of these school houses are gone now, due to the tornado damage on January 3, 2000.

Crayne Post Office History

2009-04-14T12:06:00.000-07:00

Crayne Post Office

The photo at right is the original Crayne Post Office. It is located today on display at the Crayne post office building.

In 1886 James Lee Cruce became the first postmaster of Crayne. The post office was located at his farm about half a mile south of Crayne. In 1890, Richard Dorroh was named Postmaster, followed by Hugh Glenn in 1900-1902, James F. Canada in 1904, and Newton Bishop in 1907.

James Franklin Dorroh, William Robert Dorroh and Eugene Dorroh each served as Postmaster of Crayne. At the time the Dorroh's served as Postmaster, the office was located in the Hugh Glenn Store. This store later became the Dorroh General Store and the post office remained in this building until 1953.

In 1953, Seth Ferguson became Postmaster. Mr. Ferguson moved the post office to his general store. He retired as Postmaster of Crayne in 1982. Mrs. Velma Ferguson and Mrs. Jackie Dorroh served as Assistant Postmaster during this time.

In 1982, George Tucker of Mayfield became Postmaster in charge until his retirement.

In Feb 1983, Rose Ann Bebout was appointed Postmaster and remains the Crayne Postmaster today. Some of the postmaster relief people under Rose Ann were Wanda Mott, Jackie Dorroh and Linda Highfil Padget. Today Kim Asbridge serves as Postmaster relief under Rose Ann Bebout.

In 1992 the post office was remodeled and a twenty-four hour lobby was post office boxes for rent became available to customers. The original post office window and box service area is now a lobby display for everyone to remember where we came from. The display will remain a part of the Crayne Post Office history.

Hopefully the Crayne Post Office will remain a vital part of the daily life of its community for many years to come. It is all that is left of a once lively and busy community.

Easter at Crayne

2009-04-10T15:01:00.001-07:00

This picture of a group of relatives and friends was made one Easter Sunday at the Crayne Presbyterian Church. It was in the early 1950's, about 1953-54.

Back row left to right: Belle and Leffell Boswell, Velda (Ordway) Johnson, holding her young son, and her husband Doug Johnson, Velma (Ordway) and Seth Ferguson, and Evah Lee Brantley Travis.

Front row: Sheryl and Sandra Ferguson, Brenda Travis, and Gary Hill.

We were dressed in our Easter finery, even to the little hats that we had on, and our Easter baskets.

Some Crayne News Items During this time. Crayne News Reporter - Margaret Howard.

Those on the sick list are: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Holloman, Mrs. Julie Belt, Mrs. Sarah Cruce, Mr. Rob Dorroh.
Miss Bernice Sutton is now employed at the Marion Cafe.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Campbell and Darell, were the Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Clifton Ordway and Ronnie.
Mr. Donald Hodge, of Texas, is visiting Mrs. Sarah Cruce and other relatives in this community.
Mr. Jerry Brown, of Murray State College, spent the week end with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Brown.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Jones were the Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Jones and Tommy.
The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Goldie Rushing, of Detroit, formerly of Crayne, passed away yesterday at Detroit.

Crayneville's First School

2009-04-03T18:12:00.000-07:00

Crayneville's First School. This picture was made in 1915.

The first school was built sometime in the late 1800's and it was located of McCaslin land. That land was across the road from the United Presbyterian Church on Crayne Cemetery Road and the home of the Seth Ferguson's for many years.

Crayne's Early Churches

2009-03-31T06:11:00.001-07:00

Crayne USA Presbyterian Church on the left, and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on the right. These are pictures of the churches in their earlier days. The way they looked when I was growing up in Crayne in the late 1940's and 1950's.

The first Church organized in the Crayneville community was in 1892, as a Cumberland Presbyterian, from the congregation of the Piney Fork Church. Elders were Mr. Jacobs, McCaslin, DeBoe, Ordway and Adams. In 1907 this church became a United Presbyterian Church U.S.A. This division developed over the education of the Clergy and the Revival movement. The dedication ceremonies for this church was held March 26th, 1893.

The church observed it's 100 years celebrate on June 7, 1992. A large crowd attended this service.

This church building, with a few renovations, served the community and its members until January 3rd, 2000, went the a tornado came through Crayne and did extensive damage to homes and families, and also the church. It seems the foundation of this old loved church had been damaged and the insurance company claimed it was unsafe for people to be inside. So the church building was torn down in June 2001 and the ground cleared to built a new building.

This new church building, built by a Crayne native, Harold Cannon and his crew, was finished and the dedication service was held June 22, 2003. This church is active today, with a small dedicated group attending regularly. Some even with family ties to the very first church that was build in 1893.

In 1913 a group of people organized and built a new church building on Highway 91, and it was a Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The beautiful new house of worship was dedicated in July 1913.

This building was destroyed by fire, caused by a lightening strike in a summer storm of July 1943. It would be several years before a new building was built, but the dream came true in 1949. The new Cumberland Presbyterian Church was completed of concrete block construction. The dedication service would be held on February 27, 1949 with Rev. Eugene Lindsey in charge of the services. This is the church which I grew up in, it being located just across the highway from where I was born and raised.

This church would continue to serve the community and its member's until 1975. With a falling membership and some strife among the last members, the church closed. Gone was my church since childhood. The building today has been completed remodeled, with colored brick and it serves as a Baptist Church.

How Crayneville, KY Got Its Name

2009-03-27T06:24:00.000-07:00

Crayne, Kentucky is located five miles south of Marion. In the early days when it was a new community just getting settled, it was named Crayneville.

In 1886 the railroad was making it's way through the county. As it came to this little village, a right-of-way was needed for the crews to lay the track. Mrs. Emma Crayne, who's family lived here and owned the land the railroad needed, gave her consent for the right-or-way, and the village was given the name of Crayneville in her honor. It was pronounced Crayne'e'ville.

In October 1907, the name of the thriving little town of Crayneville, had to be changed. There was another town in Kentucky that was named Caneville. It was also on the Illinois Central railroad route. It seems the names were too similiar in name and spelling and the mail and freight for both towns, would end up in the wrong town. So Crayneville lost the 'ville' and was renamed as Crayne.