Special thanks to Kathy Neidergeses and the Lawrence County Archives.
On the corner of North Military Avenue and Depot Street, stands an old building that was once known as the Kerr Hotel. Josephus Irvine was the original owner of this property in 1821. He sold the property to William Tucker in 1829. Originally part of a 400 acre tract, which passed through several owners before purchased by Joseph and Mary Mezera $2,850, then known as the Neelley Hotel. It was during this owner and the next, Bernard Rohling, Jr upon which a large brick hotel was built. U.H. and Della Kerr of Hardin County bought the property in 1928 and operated the hotel until 1946 when it was sold to W.B. and Myrtle Massey and the name was changed to the Carriage House. In the 1970's the hotel was permanently closed due to lack of business. The current owner T.J. and Sammy Hughes have done much needed repairs and renovations.
Here you see what Pulaski Street looks like today. In the distance is the Pavilion on the square. Several houses remain from the picture you see when you roll over the photo and the Courthouse can be seen in the distance. The sidewalks were set off the road by a grassy area as today. The car on the left, "then" looks to be 1920 to 1930 era to give us a good idea of when this photo was taken. Apparently a winter month too with leaves missing from the trees. Notice that today's Pulaski Street has light poles on the north side.
