Figurines Around Town
Horses, cows, barrels and hands have been selected in various cities as icons to project a towns' image. (Horses in Lexington, barrels in Paris, hands in Berea, cows in Chicago )
Figures from Wilmore's past seem best to describe our town because our history and heritage is much beloved here.
Asbury students in the Art Class of Prof. Rudy Medlock had the design of a selected figure from Wilmore's past as their assignment. Medlock is a long time member of the Wilmore Community Development Board and has contributed much in many beautification projects such as leading university students in downtown building painting projects. Costumes selected from a catalogue of the period of the subjects' lives influenced the selection of clothing styles. The important and interesting women suggested by historian Bill Davidson were envisioned by the students, drawn on special plywood, and then their features, clothing and special appointments were painted in appropriate colors. Each figure is quite unique.
Who's Who?
| Miss Ruth Askins stands near Jody's Boutique, with a bouquet of white roses in her hands. As the owner of a thriving hotel and dining room, she appears to be ready to make a table arrangement with flowers from her garden. |  |
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Mrs. Wickersham owned a tearoom named the yellow poppy. She was an accomplished milliner. A teapot in her hands and the lavish hat she wears speaks to her occupation at the corner of Rice and Main Streets. |
| Mrs. Andrew Lafayette Wilder, who with her husband owned a grocery and a lumberyard, is dressed in blue with a lavender-pink bonnet is situated in front of the Jessamine Creek Berry Co. Building . |  |
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The renowned Henry Clay Morrison, placed at the United Methodist Church , often preached there and was the Founder of the Asbury Seminary. He was noted for his long locks of white hair, a frock coat, and usually had his Bible in hand. He preached, among other things, against the ladies of the town wearing feathers in their hats. All the songbirds, he felt were being killed for such finery. |
| Mrs. John Wilmore, whose husband the town was finally named for, took this to heart. She is by City Hall in her jonquil yellow gown and hat trimmed with a very large yellow flower. |  |
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Constable Bill Grimes was Wilmore's first “lawman” and was dedicated in his service. He died of a heart attack while on duty near the historic building that now houses Subway. He is placed at Solomon's Porch. |
| Mr. John Durbin Scott, founder of the town, stands at Dr. Murphy's office. The railroad first named the town Scott Station. When Mr. Scott sued the Railroad because a work train ran over his jennets, the name was changed to Wilmore for another prominent landowner. |  |
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Sally Scott, all in white lace and a sweet “little Alice blue gown” and matching hat stands in front of Dr. Corbitt's office. Sally's beautiful pleated white petticoat from the turn of the century is on display at the Caboose Museum . She was the owner of a popular hotel. |
| Mrs. James Lowery stands in front of her husband's Wilmore Bank. Her lovely house is restored on the Downtown Green, and currently houses the “Potter's Inn". |  |
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Dr. McClain, who arrived in Wilmore on the train with his bicycle in hand for local transportation was the first town doctor. He later always drove Packard Town Cars and owned land and several houses. He is at the corner of Dr. Corbitt's home. |
| Wilmore's finest cook was Mrs. Willie Belle Yates who is depicted at the corner of Maple and Main Streets. She was employed at the homes of the presidents of the College and Seminary and the Zornigers at “Rose Hill”. It was said her pies “were out of this world” heavenly. |  |
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Chef Fred Baker's image is placed in front of the Baptist Church . He was the Chef on Air Force One for Presidents Johnson and Nixon. He was personally asked to serve by President Johnson who loved his barbeque. |
| Mr. O.C. Garvey was a pharmacist and owned the drug store. He is located in front of the Gillispie home. He developed the Wilmore Cemetery . |  |
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Mr. Rice, an early Postmaster, owned a house that still stands on Rice Street . With the help of the Fiscal Court , today the City owns the house. Mr. Rice is stationed at Farmers Bank loaded down with mail that arrived by the morning Mail Train. |
| Mr. John Askins at Fitch's IGA owned a restaurant in the building that now houses an art studio and a beauty salon. |  |
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Mrs. E. O. Guerrant, near Scott Station Inn, shown in a splendid aqua gown and pearls; was the mother of 12 children and she lived at Belvoire, now Rose Hill, home of Seminary presidents. Dr. Guerrant founded the Presbyterian Church and was know nationally as the “Appalachian Missionary”. He raised funds for churches and schools in Appalachia , and always returned home by express trains that did not stop in Wilmore; the train slowed down and he jumped off with his suitcase even when he was well into his 70's. When he was a young man he was Chaplain to the command of John Hunt Morgan. |
| Man by Jessamine Christian Healthcare |  |