This is a historic picture, taken circa 1900, looking west on Main Street.

Electricity had not been installed to the town. The poles that are visible in this picture are telegraph poles. According to Ms Christine Rowe Hollins in her article in the October 1991 issue of the News-Democrat & Leader; "It was December, 1919 when the first resolution was passed to install electricity and 'running water' to the town. In August, 1921 Auburn-Woodburn Electric Co. was granted permission to start erecting poles, pending sale of franchise. In October 1921, the franchise to furnish electricity was sold to Auburn-Woodburn Electric Co. There was to be a minimum of 36 street lights with 16 to be 100 watts and 36 to be 60 watts at a cost to the town of $1000 yearly. They were to be turned on as "early as necessary" and to be turned off a midnight except "when the moon is shining" to give sufficient light and then the lights were not turned on. Bills were paid to this company in October and November of 1922 and September of 1923. On August 7, 1923 the franchise was sold to Kentucky Utilities. In November, 1923 the bill was paid to both companies, thereafter to Kentucky Utilities." Christine goes on to say that "Guthrie Coke was owner or part owner of the Auburn-Woodburn Electric Co." She also says that "The first street light I saw was on N. College at Ice House Hill (where gas transformer is now). We were coming from Bucksville in a buggy in the early evening and there in the middle of the street, strung from poles to each side, was this "bright" light up in the air with no apparent support." She continues to say that "it scared the hack out of her."

One notes that the street is not paved. This did not happen until 1929. According to Ms. Christine Rowe Hollins "in 1928, Main Street was in such bad shape (it was gravel) that improvements were necessary from W. City limits to the bridge at E. City limits, by putting in curbs, guttering and paving. The State Highway Department is to help because they consider our Main Street a necessary link in The Dixie Highway. The bid for curbs and guttering was let to C. B. Peart at a cost of $9532 and work was done in 1930. The bid for surfacing was let in June 1930 to Campbell and Company of Bowling Green at a cost of $19,989.37 and finished in December 1930."

Auburn’s History                                                 

by F. Marie Foley

If a concise history of Auburn were to be written, many volumes would be needed to contain it all. Because in my opinion one cannot write the history of a place accurately without the telling of the stories of the people who have lived in that place, who put the meat on the bare bones of facts. However, in the space available we will endeavor to give a few of the more interesting facts that combine to make the history of Auburn. I would like to encourage anyone interested in Auburn’s history to avail themselves of the material at the Kentucky Library at Western Kentucky University, our local library and archives in Russellville and artifacts at the Auburn Museum. Continued ................

Adrian B. Hoskins [of Auburn, KY] grave in Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands

Who was Adrain B. Hoskins?

Adrian was born in May 1925 and served in WW II. He was subsequently killed in action on September 30, 1944 in The Netherlands. He was the son of Howard and Ruth Hoskins. Ruth and Howard died in 1983 and 1984 respectfully and are buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Russellville.

Rick Mommers, who is from the Netherlands has adopted Adrian's grave and is anxious to find out more about Adrian and about any family that may still exist in the area.

The service that this young man is providing in adopting graves of fallen heroes is wonderful. It helps to preserve the history of our local service people. These are heroes that we should never forget.

We would love to hear from relatives or anyone who know of the Hoskins family

NB: I would appreciate if you would take the time and click on the following link and read the information researched and put together by Rick Mommers. There is a wonderful piece of history here that would have been lost but for his efforts. We in Logan County, Kentucky should be very thankful that this young man from the Netherlands has gone to such lengths on behalf of the Americans who died in Europe during World War II