Staff and Misc.
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Early history of the town of St.
Helens / Shively
One of the first settlers in the area was Christian William Shively. Shively had settled a 1,000 acre tract in 1810 and he and his three brothers built a mill in the area. The creek on which the mill was built was called Mill Creek and is called that today.
The first stagecoach began serving the area in 1831.
German immigrants, mostly Catholic Bavarian farmers, began moving to the area around the 1850s. In 1897 property was purchased from Shively's descendants, J.P. and Emma Shively, for a new Catholic Church to be named after St. Helen, the mother of the emperor Constantine the Great. A German immigrant, Rev. John Baptist Peifer, was appointed the first pastor.
The community around the church was given the name St. Helens. It was known by all as St. Helens and received its first post office in 1902. A streetcar line was extended to the area in 1904.
Later it was discovered that there was a small unincorporated community in Lee County southeast of Lexington that was also known as St. Helens and it had a post office. This preempted the naming of the community as Saint Helens so it adopted the name Shively after an early settler, Christian Shively. St. Helens Ky.
I wonder if the parish would have been allowed to retain the name, St. Helens, if that was also the name of the city.
The photo is of Christian Shively and his family.
One of the first settlers in the area was Christian William Shively. Shively had settled a 1,000 acre tract in 1810 and he and his three brothers built a mill in the area. The creek on which the mill was built was called Mill Creek and is called that today.
The first stagecoach began serving the area in 1831.
German immigrants, mostly Catholic Bavarian farmers, began moving to the area around the 1850s. In 1897 property was purchased from Shively's descendants, J.P. and Emma Shively, for a new Catholic Church to be named after St. Helen, the mother of the emperor Constantine the Great. A German immigrant, Rev. John Baptist Peifer, was appointed the first pastor.
The community around the church was given the name St. Helens. It was known by all as St. Helens and received its first post office in 1902. A streetcar line was extended to the area in 1904.
Later it was discovered that there was a small unincorporated community in Lee County southeast of Lexington that was also known as St. Helens and it had a post office. This preempted the naming of the community as Saint Helens so it adopted the name Shively after an early settler, Christian Shively. St. Helens Ky.
I wonder if the parish would have been allowed to retain the name, St. Helens, if that was also the name of the city.
The photo is of Christian Shively and his family.
Shively
Archives: The History of Shively Businesses
From the Southwestern Weekly, September 24, 1970.
The following is a list of former Shively businesses and places of interest dating from the late 1970’s. Names of businesses listed are based on the recollections of the compiler and there may be omissions. Readers are invited to provide additional names. Also, this article will serve as a request to contribute to the City of Shively photographs and other printed matter relating to Shively businesses or other places of interest. Contributions should be sent to the City of Shively, c/o Mrs. Mitzi Kasitz, City Clerk, 3920 Dixie Hwy, Shively, KY 40216, telephone 502-449-5000, www.shivelyky.org and will be retained in the city archives.
Driving south on 18th St from Millers Ln, the west side of the street was primarily residential. On Dubourg Ave, Mr. Robbins operated an auto body shop in the garage at his residence. On the east side of 18th St was the Ranch House which opened in the mid-50’s and was a favorite drive-in for teenagers along with the A&W Root Beer stand further south. The Ranch House provided one of the basic food staples for teenagers; “Ranchburgers.”
Duffy’s Tavern on the east side of 18th St, was in business for many years. Further south at 2917 Dixie Hwy, was Merrick Lumber Co., now occupied by Antique Car Co.
On the west side of 18th St at Ralph Ave, was the Shady Lawn Tavern owned and operated by Mr. Burger. Behind the tavern to the west where an apartment complex now stands was Butch Wurtele’s truck garden. Butch was locally famous for his highly regarded homemade horseradish sauce.
Further west on Ralph Ave, was the Texas Gas Transmission Office, Modern Concrete, and the Stitzel Weller Distillery which distilled and bottled Old Fitzgerald, W.L. Weller, Rebel Yell and Cabin Still bourbons. On the south side of Ralph Ave where it makes a 90-degree turn was the Hepp farm. At the west end of Ralph Ave at Cane Run Rd was B&B Tavern, owned and operated by Bob Brumleve who, prior to being in business there, was a bartender for years at the aforesaid Shady Lawn Tavern.
Continuing south on 18th St, on the east side was Charlie McClellan’s Wrecker Service and the Manning Funeral Home. Immediately south of the railroad tracks, also on the east side of the street, was the truck garden of Arthur and Jack Luken. They sold their excellent seasonal vegetables to retail dealers at the Haymarket in downtown Louisville.
South of the Luken property and on the east side of 18th St was Moody’s DX Service Station.
Continuing south on 18th St and approaching the intersection with Dixie Hwy, Crums Ln and 7th St, the original location of the Shively Library was in a residence on the east side of 18th St. Further south was Buddy’s Bakery and then one came to a prominent business, Wessel’s Hardware, owned and operated by Mr. Roy Wessel. In the days before big box stores, Mr. Wessel’s hardware store was a wonderful repository of not only hardware but also appliances, high quality tools, sporting goods, guns, fishing tackle, Christmas trees during the holidays, lawn mowers and a repair service. Adjacent to Wessel’s at the apex of the triangle made by the confluence of 7th St, 18th St and Dixie Hwy was the red brick building, which was the original location of the Bank of St. Helens.
Across from Wessel’s on the west side of 18th St, was a brick building which contained several tenants including the highly regarded Leonhardt’s Restaurant, famous for its fried chicken and homemade pies. South of the restaurant was the site of the Shively Fire Station (which moved to Park Rd in the 50’s). Other historical tenants at this site were Reiger Pharmacy and, later, the original location of George’s Gun Shop. At the corner of 18th St and Crums Ln set Dave Huber’s Standard Oil Station.
On the south side of Crums Ln and the west side of Dixie Hwy was a Kroger Store, Hanger’s Pharmacy, (later Irvin Kupper’s Shively Drugs), Arno 5 and 10, the White Top Restaurant, Muenninghoff ’s Tavern, O’Neill’s Trailer Sales, Dr. M.D. _________ dental office, the Schreck Complex which included Speedy Schreck’s Liquor Store, Schreck Tavern & Barbeque (which had one of the first tv sets in Shively), Schreck Auto Sales, and Bob Schreck’s State Farm Insurance office. Then came the site of Millcreek School (by the late 40’s having moved to the east side of the highway north of and adjacent to the later built Watterson Expressway). Behind the school and slightly south was an ancient, unoccupied brick church building. The Bank of St. Helens was south of the Millcreek School, separated from it by a furniture store and barber shop (Grimmeisen’s ?) in conjunction to the south of the bank property was the A&P Food Store. Continuing south on the west side was the Picadilly Inn Tavern located approximately on the south end of the Holiday Inn parking lot. The Picadilly Inn not only sold beer, but also had hand dipped Sealtest ice cream.
Continuing south on Dixie Hwy, was Korfhage Nursery and the Kool Kamp tourist cabins. The tourist cabins property later became a part of the Bacon’s Shopping Center.
Returning to the east side of Dixie Hwy at its intersection with 7th St and 18th St was St. Helens Church and School, south of which was Hartlage Dry Goods, Joe Lynch’s Feed Store and Chamberlain’s Shell Station. Approximately on the site of the service station in the 40’s was Catterson Buick Sales. There is a legend that in the 40’s, periodic impromptu on footraces occurred on Dixie Hwy from Schreck’s Barbeque, to the Garrs Lane intersection. Participants in the race were Dick Schreck, Frankie Schmitt, Tom Catterson and George Hardy and others whose names are lost in the sands of time, though old timers may remember.
Continuing south was Byerly Ford, Hardy Funeral Home, the Shively cemetery, Dr. Siebel’s dental office, Dr. Schacklette’s medical office, Fihe-Kupper Drugs, Sears & Roebuck and Millcreek School.
South of what is now the expressway was a frozen food locker and Ernstberger’s Tavern. Further south on the east side at San Jose Ave, was the Toadstool Inn (famous for it’s fried chicken and home fried potatoes). The compiler has a hazy recollection that somewhere in that neighborhood was Learning Nursery. Also in this area were Brown’s Photography Studio and the Sangalli Mushroom facility.
Near the southern boundary of Shively on the east side of Dixie Hwy was Rohleder’s Hardware.
Beginning at the intersection of 7th St with Berry Blvd and proceeding south on the west side is Home Supply, the long-standing business opened by Al Schneider. Continuing south at Leroy Ave in the 40’s was Eicher Nursery. Sometime in the mid-50’s, Krispy Kreme came to occupy this site and continues to the present to turn out delectable donuts.
The east side of 7th St from Berry Blvd/Manslick Rd to Crums Ln was not and is not within the Shively municipal boundary. In the 40’s and 50’s the area now occupied by Southland Terrace Shopping Center was a large undeveloped grassy area continuing on its east boundary adjacent to the IC Railroad a large, four or five story building which was the Jefferson County (or Louisville) Home for the Aged and Infirm. It was commonly known as “The Alms House”. The building was razed in the late 50’s. To its south was a garage which, according to folklore, was the original home of the Shively Fire Department, housing in the early years of the century a fire wagon drawn by a team of horses. This area also was the location of a baseball diamond on which the Shively men’s baseball team competed on Sunday afternoons against other area teams like the firemen and, if memory serves, St. Matthews, among others.
References to the foregoing places are based on the compiler’s memory. It should be emphasized that the specific places of business mentioned operated at various times and not necessarily during the same time period.
On the west side of 18th, north of Shively Park was the Oehrle farm and Bud Oehrle’s Restaurant which was later bought by Thomas “Snake” Hayes and Frankie Schmitt who operated the business as a restaurant and bar. Later, the building housed an oriental restaurant. West of the restaurant property and north of Shively Park was Chet Mather’s truck garden. North and west of this property, prior to being subdivided, the Farnsley family operated a large farm and on Farnsley Rd and Mary Catherine Dr, was the Eisenminger Truck garden.
From the Southwestern Weekly, September 24, 1970.
The following is a list of former Shively businesses and places of interest dating from the late 1970’s. Names of businesses listed are based on the recollections of the compiler and there may be omissions. Readers are invited to provide additional names. Also, this article will serve as a request to contribute to the City of Shively photographs and other printed matter relating to Shively businesses or other places of interest. Contributions should be sent to the City of Shively, c/o Mrs. Mitzi Kasitz, City Clerk, 3920 Dixie Hwy, Shively, KY 40216, telephone 502-449-5000, www.shivelyky.org and will be retained in the city archives.
Driving south on 18th St from Millers Ln, the west side of the street was primarily residential. On Dubourg Ave, Mr. Robbins operated an auto body shop in the garage at his residence. On the east side of 18th St was the Ranch House which opened in the mid-50’s and was a favorite drive-in for teenagers along with the A&W Root Beer stand further south. The Ranch House provided one of the basic food staples for teenagers; “Ranchburgers.”
Duffy’s Tavern on the east side of 18th St, was in business for many years. Further south at 2917 Dixie Hwy, was Merrick Lumber Co., now occupied by Antique Car Co.
On the west side of 18th St at Ralph Ave, was the Shady Lawn Tavern owned and operated by Mr. Burger. Behind the tavern to the west where an apartment complex now stands was Butch Wurtele’s truck garden. Butch was locally famous for his highly regarded homemade horseradish sauce.
Further west on Ralph Ave, was the Texas Gas Transmission Office, Modern Concrete, and the Stitzel Weller Distillery which distilled and bottled Old Fitzgerald, W.L. Weller, Rebel Yell and Cabin Still bourbons. On the south side of Ralph Ave where it makes a 90-degree turn was the Hepp farm. At the west end of Ralph Ave at Cane Run Rd was B&B Tavern, owned and operated by Bob Brumleve who, prior to being in business there, was a bartender for years at the aforesaid Shady Lawn Tavern.
Continuing south on 18th St, on the east side was Charlie McClellan’s Wrecker Service and the Manning Funeral Home. Immediately south of the railroad tracks, also on the east side of the street, was the truck garden of Arthur and Jack Luken. They sold their excellent seasonal vegetables to retail dealers at the Haymarket in downtown Louisville.
South of the Luken property and on the east side of 18th St was Moody’s DX Service Station.
Continuing south on 18th St and approaching the intersection with Dixie Hwy, Crums Ln and 7th St, the original location of the Shively Library was in a residence on the east side of 18th St. Further south was Buddy’s Bakery and then one came to a prominent business, Wessel’s Hardware, owned and operated by Mr. Roy Wessel. In the days before big box stores, Mr. Wessel’s hardware store was a wonderful repository of not only hardware but also appliances, high quality tools, sporting goods, guns, fishing tackle, Christmas trees during the holidays, lawn mowers and a repair service. Adjacent to Wessel’s at the apex of the triangle made by the confluence of 7th St, 18th St and Dixie Hwy was the red brick building, which was the original location of the Bank of St. Helens.
Across from Wessel’s on the west side of 18th St, was a brick building which contained several tenants including the highly regarded Leonhardt’s Restaurant, famous for its fried chicken and homemade pies. South of the restaurant was the site of the Shively Fire Station (which moved to Park Rd in the 50’s). Other historical tenants at this site were Reiger Pharmacy and, later, the original location of George’s Gun Shop. At the corner of 18th St and Crums Ln set Dave Huber’s Standard Oil Station.
On the south side of Crums Ln and the west side of Dixie Hwy was a Kroger Store, Hanger’s Pharmacy, (later Irvin Kupper’s Shively Drugs), Arno 5 and 10, the White Top Restaurant, Muenninghoff ’s Tavern, O’Neill’s Trailer Sales, Dr. M.D. _________ dental office, the Schreck Complex which included Speedy Schreck’s Liquor Store, Schreck Tavern & Barbeque (which had one of the first tv sets in Shively), Schreck Auto Sales, and Bob Schreck’s State Farm Insurance office. Then came the site of Millcreek School (by the late 40’s having moved to the east side of the highway north of and adjacent to the later built Watterson Expressway). Behind the school and slightly south was an ancient, unoccupied brick church building. The Bank of St. Helens was south of the Millcreek School, separated from it by a furniture store and barber shop (Grimmeisen’s ?) in conjunction to the south of the bank property was the A&P Food Store. Continuing south on the west side was the Picadilly Inn Tavern located approximately on the south end of the Holiday Inn parking lot. The Picadilly Inn not only sold beer, but also had hand dipped Sealtest ice cream.
Continuing south on Dixie Hwy, was Korfhage Nursery and the Kool Kamp tourist cabins. The tourist cabins property later became a part of the Bacon’s Shopping Center.
Returning to the east side of Dixie Hwy at its intersection with 7th St and 18th St was St. Helens Church and School, south of which was Hartlage Dry Goods, Joe Lynch’s Feed Store and Chamberlain’s Shell Station. Approximately on the site of the service station in the 40’s was Catterson Buick Sales. There is a legend that in the 40’s, periodic impromptu on footraces occurred on Dixie Hwy from Schreck’s Barbeque, to the Garrs Lane intersection. Participants in the race were Dick Schreck, Frankie Schmitt, Tom Catterson and George Hardy and others whose names are lost in the sands of time, though old timers may remember.
Continuing south was Byerly Ford, Hardy Funeral Home, the Shively cemetery, Dr. Siebel’s dental office, Dr. Schacklette’s medical office, Fihe-Kupper Drugs, Sears & Roebuck and Millcreek School.
South of what is now the expressway was a frozen food locker and Ernstberger’s Tavern. Further south on the east side at San Jose Ave, was the Toadstool Inn (famous for it’s fried chicken and home fried potatoes). The compiler has a hazy recollection that somewhere in that neighborhood was Learning Nursery. Also in this area were Brown’s Photography Studio and the Sangalli Mushroom facility.
Near the southern boundary of Shively on the east side of Dixie Hwy was Rohleder’s Hardware.
Beginning at the intersection of 7th St with Berry Blvd and proceeding south on the west side is Home Supply, the long-standing business opened by Al Schneider. Continuing south at Leroy Ave in the 40’s was Eicher Nursery. Sometime in the mid-50’s, Krispy Kreme came to occupy this site and continues to the present to turn out delectable donuts.
The east side of 7th St from Berry Blvd/Manslick Rd to Crums Ln was not and is not within the Shively municipal boundary. In the 40’s and 50’s the area now occupied by Southland Terrace Shopping Center was a large undeveloped grassy area continuing on its east boundary adjacent to the IC Railroad a large, four or five story building which was the Jefferson County (or Louisville) Home for the Aged and Infirm. It was commonly known as “The Alms House”. The building was razed in the late 50’s. To its south was a garage which, according to folklore, was the original home of the Shively Fire Department, housing in the early years of the century a fire wagon drawn by a team of horses. This area also was the location of a baseball diamond on which the Shively men’s baseball team competed on Sunday afternoons against other area teams like the firemen and, if memory serves, St. Matthews, among others.
References to the foregoing places are based on the compiler’s memory. It should be emphasized that the specific places of business mentioned operated at various times and not necessarily during the same time period.
On the west side of 18th, north of Shively Park was the Oehrle farm and Bud Oehrle’s Restaurant which was later bought by Thomas “Snake” Hayes and Frankie Schmitt who operated the business as a restaurant and bar. Later, the building housed an oriental restaurant. West of the restaurant property and north of Shively Park was Chet Mather’s truck garden. North and west of this property, prior to being subdivided, the Farnsley family operated a large farm and on Farnsley Rd and Mary Catherine Dr, was the Eisenminger Truck garden.