April 10, 2001

Jonesville Highway Marker Dedicated At WKU

Bowling Green, Ky. - Tuesday was a special day for former residents of Jonesville.

A Kentucky Historical Society Highway Marker was unveiled on Western Kentucky University's campus to remember the African American community that once thrived in the area near University Boulevard and Big Red Way.

Jonesville was "our strip of heaven," former resident Bobby W. Austin said in dedicating the marker.

"In our hearts we will carry always the love, the dedication, the patience and the goodwill of the citizens of Jonesville," Austin said after reflecting about memories of growing up in the community.

Austin, a WKU alumnus and president of Village Foundation, also paid tribute to Jonesville historian Maxine Ray, a WKU graduate student, for her diligence in making Tuesday's ceremony a reality and in keeping the community's history alive.

Ray, who was born in Jonesville, thanked former residents and remembered the sacrifices her ancestors made. "I hope they can look down on us and be proud of us," Ray said. "We will never forget Jonesville."

WKU President Gary Ransdell said the historic marker will help keep the memories and spirit of Jonesville alive.

"The people of Jonesville left behind their homes, their land, their businesses," Dr. Ransdell said, "but they took with them their spirit. They did not leave their hope behind.

"They carried their hope with them to other parts of Bowling Green where it grew and spread," he said. "Bowling Green is a better place because of the hope that originated and was nurtured here in Jonesville. That spirit of hope is the legacy of Jonesville."

The text on one side of the Jonesville historical marker reads: "This African American community was founded after the Civil War. It was bordered by Dogwood Drive, Russellville Road and the railroad tracks. The community grew to include several hundred residents, an elementary school, businesses and two churches. Frame and hand-hewn stone houses lined the streets of Jonesville."

The other side reads: "The lives of most residents of this close African American community revolved around church, school and family activities. In the late 1950s, Jonesville was one of two areas in Bowling Green designated for urban renewal. By 1968, the state had acquired the land and sold it to the university."

The University used the 30-plus acres to build Diddle Arena, Smith Stadium and other facilities.

The Kentucky Historical Highway Markers is a program of the Kentucky Historical Society in cooperation with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Other speakers at Tuesday's dedication were Dianne Wells, manager of the Historical Highway Marker Program; Sandy Jones, mayor of Bowling Green; Mike Buchanon, judge-executive of Warren County; Jonathan Jeffery, special collections at Kentucky Library; and Lancie Meredith, branch manager of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

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