Ever since reading "The Ghost Towns of 174" by Willie Davis (Legal Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases), I have been somewhat interested in the history of the Carter County, Kentucky community of Enterprise. I'm not sure why, but I have. Maybe it's because I worked for several years in Carter County as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, I don't know.
I currently live about 15 miles from Enterprise and have most of my entire life. And yet living that close to that community, I was not aware that it was once a booming town with numerous businesses, at least not until reading Mr. Davis' book.
Fortunately, I ran across this newspaper article written by F.M. Griffin and published in the Portsmouth Times in Portsmouth Ohio, on August 25, 1894. Mr. Griffin goes into great detail about the history of Enterprise and the businesses that were once there. You can read the article from the link, but it's very difficult to read. So I've transcribed it here:
"ENTERPRISE, KENTUCKY
Nestled among the rugged, but fertile hills of old Carter, about two and
one-half miles from the Rowan County line, lies Enterprise. It is a narrow
straggling village with one principle street running through its center.
Its entire length being nearly one mile. The town was laid out in 1882 and
W.H. Griffey built the first house just after the depot was built. William
Cooper built a large store house here, the first year of the railroads
life. He also built a mammoth hotel, and for the years Mr. Cooper was the
king bee of Enterprise and commanded the largest general merchandising
trade between Mt. Sterling and Ashland. It is said in those days, that $100
per day was considered an average business, though some days $250 would
find its way from the pockets of the people to the coffers of Mr. Cooper.
Though the business done then was immense, I have yet to hear anyone say
that they never got value received from Bill Cooper as he was familiarly
known. Mr. Cooper is now in business in Morehead. Many that remember him
say that he will never be a millionaire, because of his wonderful
generosity. Bill Cooper has given to the poor enough to keep himself and
his family the rest of his days.
About the year 1880, James Hollan succeeded Mr. Cooper as proprietor of the
Star Hotel and the owner of the large store and business. Mr. Hollan did an
immense business for several years, and built a mammoth saw and flouring
mill. The last venture proved disastrous from some cause, and today the old
mill building and the historic Star hotel sands vacated as monuments to of
the greatness of our town or relics of its ill spent fortunes. Hollan was
sold out by law in 1892 and left here in a short time to Iowa where he now
lives. About the year 1892 the Post Office was established here and named
Jamison in honor of William Jamison the president of the Jamison Fire Clay
mining Company. Wm. Jamison was appointed the first post master. Jamison
was succeeded by James Hollan , who in turn gave way to Mary D. McBrayer.
F.M. Griffin the present master was sworn in May 9th, 1892.
Adams Express company established an office here early in the history of
the town, which has had the following agents; B.S. McComas, Wm. Cooper,
C.S. Conner, W.H. Tyree, M.B. Mark, M.E. Callihan, W.A. Weaver, W.J.
Vaughan, W.E. Watkins, J.L. Robbins, and O.L.Shay.
The C & O railroad company has had the following agents; Wm. Jamison, C.S.
Conner, J.E. Cowgill, A.O. Fields, W.A. Weaver, W.J. Vaughan, W.F. Watkins,
J.L. Robins, W.G. Patton, W.H. Turee, R.L. Scott, G. H. Crooks, M.E.
Callihan, F.J. Guin, A.E. Ford, O.L. Shay.
Fire clay has been an important article of commerce ever since 1883 though
thousands of cars of staves, cross ties, shingle, tan bark, lumber and hoop
poles, have been shipped to the worlds markets. At present, little else but
fire clay is shipped, the Shay Bros. being the principle dealers in that
article.
The past of Enterprise is said to be like a dream to many that remember the
good old flush times of the 80's.
The present and future of Enterprise is what interests us most. We want to
see the town blossom as a rose and expect to see a partial return of her
former greatness in the future. But the future outcome of our town lies not
in the stave, tan bark, or lumber tree. Tobacco will most certainly be
king, and why shouldn't it be? Our lands are the best in the world to
produce the weed, and it can be purchased very cheap. In 1894 there will be
ten thousand pounds raised, where five years ago there wasn't one pound
raised. In less than ten years from now every foot of tillable land in this
end of the county will be cleaned up, and the future will eclipse the past
as far as the good old times excelled the day when it was fifteen miles to
the nearest post office.
Enterprise today is composed of about 100 citizens, all told, men, women
and children. There are two general stores operated by Conley & Son. And
L.D. O'Roark.
The firm of Conley & Son does an immense business. They sell hundreds of
dollars worth of caps, boots, dry goods, groceries, etc. In fact you can
buy anything from them from a thimble to a wagon. They have a large trade
in Elliot and Lewis Counties a large many coming 20 and 25 miles just to
trade with Conleys on account of the merits of their goods and their low
prices. The senior member is Isaac Conley. Mr. Conley is about 47 years of
age and began life as a common laborer. By thrift he has succeeded in
accumulating quite a fortune. Uncle Ike is as honest as they day is long,
and everybody likes him. He is a Free Mason and a Golden Eagle, being a
charter member of No. 21, of this place. Stanton Conley, the son of the
firm is 25 and one of the shred business men in eastern Kentucky. He is not
married but lightly hinted that this can not be said of him ere the dawn of
1895. He is a prominent I.O.O.F. and K.G.E. man, and well thought of and
destined to make his mark on the world of finance.
L.D. O'Roark is a firm within himself and is present operating the old Geo.
Cooper stand. He does not carry a very large stock of merchandise but keeps
a variety equal to any other store in the country. Lan is a hustling
bustling kind of man about 37 years of age and a man of good business
qualities. In short a scholar and a gentleman, Republican in politics,
and in religion an ardent Methodist of the Episcopal persuasion.
The health of our community is looked after by two physicians. Dr. W.D.
Williams came here a few years ago from Harrison County and has built up a
wonderful practice. The doctor is an accomplished gentleman and popular. In
politics he is a democrat and is considered a party leader.
Dr. G.R. Logan came here in the earlier days of the town's history. He has
a large and reliable practice and is one of the best dentists in the state.
He is a native of Nicholas County and is said to be a distant relative of
Gen. John A. Logan of war fame.
The only place of entertainment is kept by Mrs. J.C. Shay. Her table is
supplied by the best the land affords and the jolly drummer is always glad
when he strikes Enterprise because he knows the inner man will be well
cared for.
Among the leading citizens and pioneer farmers are W.H. Griffey and A.
Underwood. They have lived here for years and considered honest, upright
and straight forward men.
Our community also boasts of one "drummer and his grip". W.L. Hodgins has
married and settled here. He believes in the future greatness of his
adopted home and has purchased two houses and a lot. He is a salesman for
the great Mark and Stix the great wholesale boot and shoe company of
Cincinnati.
We have no lawyer but have considerable lawing. Squire F.M. Bailey's court
is in session once a month to settle all differences.
We boast of good school privileges and although our school house is not a
good one by any means, I think are citizens are awakening to the needs of a
good house, and I think they will build one in the near future. Since the
writer has been here such teachers as J. Milton Fraley, Miss Minta McGlone,
and C.S.Gilkerson have taught the young ideas how to shoot.
Preachers, yes we have one local preacher, Rev. Joel N. Fitch. Rev Fitch is
a Methodist Episcopal though we often have sermons from the various other
denominations.
This completes the past and present of Enterprise. I hope ere another
decade to see at least 1000 people here and must say I have great faith in
her future greatness. Long may the upward banner move."
Unfortunately, Mr. Griffin's wishes for a prosperous Enterprise never came to pass.
If you drive through Enterprise today, all that remains of the once booming town
are a few houses along Route 174. The businesses are long gone, lost to time.
Sadly, most of the small mining towns in Eastern Kentucky met the same fate as Enterprise.
At least we have the memories. At least some do anyway.
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