"The Art of Historic Preservation"

9th Annual Preservation Week 2007 Photo-Essay Competition

Second Place: Allie Evans, 3rd Grade, Calvary Elementary School, Lebanon

Title:  Bradfordsville School

In the mid 1930’s the United States was in an economic depression.  Many people were without jobs.  A government program called the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was established to give unemployed people work.  One of the WPA projects was building a school in Bradfordsville,  KY.  The school was built of stone veneer with sand stone that was quarried near Bradfordsville.  The school was built at the cost of $70,000
It was designed by Louisville architect Thomas J. Nolan.  It was formally dedicated on Friday, December 11, 1936.  The photos below looks at the artistic stone carvings put in the stone veneer by the WPA stone masons.

Bradfordsville area WPA workers were Joe Sherman, Ervin Courtwright, Ben Brown, Dan Smothers, Buford Bradshaw, Walter Pendygraft, Homer Rakes, along with many others.  These men took great pride in building a school that was sound as well as architecturally appealing.  The students enjoyed coming to the new school.  I know this because my grandparents Ed and Clarice Edwards Hogan, and Howard Evans attended the new school.  My grandfather Howard Evans served as class president in 1939.  Not only did area students enjoy attending the new school, but the school also served as a refugee shelter for Louisville residents who were affected by the 1937 flood.

Sadly, the high school closed in 1954.  Due to lack of industry and population growth, the elementary closed in the 1980’s.  As I am told, by my Mother who attended Bradfordsville School this was a very hard time for the community.  The school was a gathering place for residents who supported the students at PTA meetings, ball games, fall festivals and sock hops.

When the bells rang for the very last time, the school started in a state of physical decline.  The school was sold by the Marion Co. Board of education by sealed bid in 1988 to a private citizen.  Through the years the roof became leaky and the interior continued to deteriorate.

The city of Bradfordsville acquired the school property in 2004.  It hopes to once again make the school a place where the community can gather for good times.  The original architect firm of Nolan and Nolan which designed the building in the 1930’s is directing the renovation process at this time.

The citizens of Bradfordsville very much want their school renovated.  This is a building the community has come to love because of the rich memories of times past and the promise of good times to come.  Therefore, the mayor has worked very hard to secure money through grants and fund raisers to help make this dream of renovating Bradfordsville School a reality.

This essay and photograph(s) are the property of Preservation Kentucky, Inc. and Kentucky Heritage Council and that any use of the photo or essay must be approved by PK and KHC.