SOUTH-CENTRAL-KENTUCKY-L Archives

From: Sandi Gorin <>
Subject: SUMMER SHADE, METCALFE, KY
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 08:52:23 -0600

By the Metcalfe Co Homemakers, ca 19410-41.

"The little town of Summer Shade consististing of about 300 inhabitants is
situated in the south western part of Metcalfe County formed from Barren
County in 1860. Summer Shade is on State Highway 90 which is called the
John MUIR trail. The town was first called Glovers Creek. Around 1872
Honorable W M RIGGS succeeded in changing the post office name to Summer
Shade. It is assumed the appellation came from the large trees and their
friendly shade that protected the town and sheltered the wild game that
roamed through the adjacent woodlands.

"Pace, the first post office in this section of the county, was about one
mile east of Summer Shade. The post office here was located in the dry
goods store of Ezekiel WITTY and W M RIGGS, who were among the first
merchants of the community.

"In 1860 Dr Lenzie WATSON came to Summer Shade from Hart County (originally
Virginia) and built the house where R C MEADOW now lives. It is well
preserved house regardless of its age. A few other houses were built
earlier than this one but their construction date is unknown.

"Dr. Lenzie WATSON and Dr. Thomas Hawkins HOARD were among the first
physicians in Summer Shade.

"In 1871 or 1872 the Mt. Carmel School, made up of patrons from surrounding
schools and from Summer Shade, was established about one mile east of the
town. It was founded by Professor R E GRINSTEAD but flourishsed for only a
short time. In 1873 Professor R E GRINSTEAD founded the Summer Shade
Institute, erecting the buildings and successfully conducting the
institution for two years. When he was elected to the State Legislature in
1875 the school property was purchased by Professor J. W. McMOORE from
Tennessee. MOORE, preacher and educator, remained as principal until 1877
at which time Professor A C TAYLOR became principal. TAYLOR was an uncle of
O D HOWARD of Summer Shade and Dr. C C HOWARD of Glasgow, Kentucky.

"In 1866 through the efforts of Honorable W M RIGGS, a member of the State
Legislature, the school received from the legislature a liberal charter
which enlarged its scope until it was permitted to confer the B. S. degree.
Two who obtained their B. S. degrees were Professor Johnnie HOWARD and Miss
Lizzie Denham EVANS.

"The faculty was composed of Professor TAYLOR, M D TAYLOR, E T THOMAS,
Dewis LANGFORD, and Miss WINSTON, instructor of instrumental music. A nice
dormitory near the school was occupied by the young ladies, while the young
men boarded in private homes for $1.25 per week for table board, or $2.00
per week everything furnished. Tuition was from $5.00 to $10.00 per month,
and the school was successful for a number of years. Eventually Professor
TAYLOR, one of the most outstanding teachers of Summer Shade, moved away
and died a few years later.

To be continued - Sandi

>>}}}0>> <<0{{{<<
Sandi Gorin - 205 Clements Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141-3409
502-651-9114 -
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• SUMMER SHADE, METCALFE, KY by Sandi Gorin <>