John Sellers, the leader of Saturday's History Walk, discusses some of the old photos of the downtown area

with participants at Prairie 3 Restaurant.

 

Saturday History Walk
Features History of Downtown Area

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

 

A large crowd of those interested in local history, gathered on the downtown square, at both 9:15 and 11:00 Saturday morning, to learn about the many historical sites in the downtown area. Local historian, John Sellers, conducted his third History Walk, sponsored by the Downtown Business Alliance.

Sellers began the tour beneath the Magnolia Tree beside the Hopkins County Courthouse and advanced his groups to the Prairie 3 Restaurant, where he told the history of Sellers Cafeteria and participants viewed a collection of historic photographs of the downtown area. The tour progressed to First United Methodist Church, where Sellers told the history of the beautiful stained-glass windows. He then took the tour "on a stroll" down Atkins Street, highlighting the many historic establishments that have been located in that area of the city. He eventually took the tour to North Davis Street and advanced back to the square, via Connally Street, as he told of historic sites along the way.

 

 

 

 

"It was a wonderful tour and John highlighted places that you pass by every day, and knew nothing of their historical value," denoted one of Saturday's participants. "It was exciting to learn about the many, many places that once occupied our city!"

 

 

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