A series of pictures is now available on the Logan Independent Journal showing various seasons along Summer Street in Russellville. A tasteful
backyard quietly stands witness to Russellville Middle School in its busy times and then during its being razed into rubble.
The photo collection was shot in still photographs and then turned into a video by Joanne Hedges Moffatt, who has a long history with that
building and with the Russellville School System.
Moffatt attended school in the old Logan College part of the building in the 30s and 40s before going across the street to Russellville High
School in what is now the central office.
Later she taught math and social studies at the high school before going back across Seventh Street. From 1961-66 she taught sixth and seventh
grade English and math at the recently downed structure.
She spent the next 30 years living in the Orlando, Fla. area before returning to Russellville with her husband, Reggie Moffatt, on Dec. 29, 1996.
They bought the house that was so long the home of the Granville Clark family on the corner of Seventh and Summer. Mr. Moffatt died a few years later,
and Joanne says she’s happy he made sure she was back in her home town before his death.
Joanne Hedges Moffatt is the daughter of the late Dr. N.D. Hedges, who was a veterinarian here for many years. Her brother was Charles ‘Quack’
Hedges, who owned a print shop of Fifth Street for many years. She is the aunt of Russellville City Attorney Bob Hedges and his brother Bill Hedges.
You can find the pictures on the Logan Independent Journal site by clicking on the newspaper icon at the upper right corner of the Logan &
Beyond Home Page. Then click on Video Site on the menu bar and look for the one entitled “Destruction of Russellville Middle School.”
Logan Independent Journal
More about videos: I would recommend that you check out the website and video at http://blackbottomrussellville.blogspot.com/ <https://mail.wku.edu/Redirect/blackbottomrussellville.blogspot.com/> It’s from The African American Heritage Research Centerof Russellville, which has the theme
Black Bottom Project: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.
Founded in 1852, the Black Bottom Historic District is one of the oldest African-American communities in Kentucky. The Africian American Heritage
Research Center’s Mission:
1) Help Document who the people were that played a part in the economic, religious, educational and social growth of a community.
2) Document the growth of historic African American communities in Western Kentucky.
3)
Research historic African American families of Black Bottom and their part in local, state, and National History.
4)
Work to certify other researchers to help document family histories. Help to document and interpret historic African American burial grounds in
Western Kentucky.
5) Assist other people researching their family histories in Western Kentucky.