April 3, 2004 Henderson Gleaner Newspaper

Dear Editor:

This is to convey a very pleasant experience I recently had in Henderson. I live in San Marcos, Texas, but I grew up in

Kentucky living at various times in Central City, Clinton, Fulton, Paducah, and Henderson. Upon my recent retirement I brought my wife, a native of Virginia, with me to visit all the places I had lived while growing up. I lived in Henderson in 1944-45.

My wife and I had made reservations at the L&N Bed & Breakfast on North Main Street. We arrived the afternoon of March 17, 2004 unsure of what to expect.

Having been born in 1940, I did not remember a whole lot about Henderson, but I did remember where we lived. We lived in the basement of a house on Center street with a view of the city park and of the fire station that was right next to it.

Finding Center Street was easy enough, but I immediately realized things had changed a lot. The fire station was gone and so was the house. Our house was approximately where the new addition to the First Baptist Church meets the adjacent parking lot.

My Dad, whose name was Lowell Weatherspoon (nick-named Spoon), worked for Southern Bell Telephone Co. He took me to the park often, and it seemed pretty much as I remembered it, although I do not remember a fountain being there.

Fire stations always fascinate little boys, and I was no exception.My Dad took me there to visit frequently, and I remember pictures — long since misplaced — of me sitting in the driver’s seat of one of the fire engines. Every time I’d hear the fire sirens, I’d run out of the house to watch them leave the station.

I saw my very first movie in Henderson. According to Mary Priest, our gracious hostess at the L&N Bed and Breakfast, it must have been at the Kentucky Theatre. That location is now occupied by an office building.

One night we had dinner at Wolf’s. I picked it because it was there when I lived on Center Street. My Dad didn’t own a car, and it was a short walk from where we lived, so it’s very possible that my parents might have taken me there.

The reason for this letter is to pay a compliment to the citizens of Henderson. My wife and I both were so very impressed with your city.

Judging by all the restoration, the cleanliness, and the uncommon courtesy of every single person we encountered, it’s obvious that there is a lot of pride being taken in the city.

As we were leaving, my wife said, "I wouldn’t mind living in Henderson." You can’t imagine how much of a compliment that is coming from someone who thinks Virginia is the finest place on Earth. Even though it was a long time ago, and I only lived there a short while, I’m proud to say that Henderson was once my home.

Kenneth Weatherspoon

San Marcos, Texas

(Ken we really enjoyed you staying at L&N Bed and Breakfast! )