Mayor A. Scott Marshall
Dear Friends and Guthrie Advocates,
As we journey into the 21st century, we find our community in a most opportune position, a crossroads, where past meets present. Guthrie’s early years were dependent on the railroad. So much so, that when granted a city charter in 1879, the name Guthrie was chosen in honor of then president of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, James Guthrie. Served by CSX Transportation, and R.J. Corman Railroad, Guthrie still thrives as a regional railroad hub.
Another vital component of the formation of our city and its distinct heritage is agriculture. The actions of the Planters Protective Association and its infamous “Night Riders” of the nationally renown Tobacco Wars inspired Guthrie native, Robert Penn Warren to write the first, of his many novels. Robert Penn Warren is undoubtedly Guthrie’s most accomplished citizen. He received 2 Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry, and 1 for his novel All the King’s Men. Robert Penn Warren was honored as the Poet Laureate of the United States in 1986 and later with a U.S. Postal Stamp in 2005. His Birthplace Museum is located at Third & Cherry St.
Once the Tobacco Wars era was over, Guthrie gained strength again from its location near the railroad. In 1913, the L&N Railroad constructed a plant to pressure treat rail ties with creosote. The L&N operated this facility until 1930 when Bond Brothers Co. acquired the operations. In 1958 Koppers Industries purchased the tie plant, which is still in operation in its original location and is considered to be Guthrie and Todd County’s oldest industry. During the late 1920’s, another transportation landmark was being created, Alexander’s Standard Gas Station. Today it is known as Joe’s Chevron, a family operated business that is managed by Mr. Joe’s son, Kenneth. Located at the corner of U.S.41 and Ky.346, it is the longest continuously operated Standard Oil Chevron station in America.
Many new achievements have improved our city. The award winning Logan-Todd Regional Water Plant is one example of advanced modern technology serving rural Kentucky. This state-of-the-art 12 million gallon per day facility provides water to over 40 thousand residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Todd, Logan, and Christian counties.
Currently, Guthrie is taking another historic step as we are proud to partner with the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Our future is much brighter with UK’s technology, experience, and resources. The College of Design has enhanced our city using new technologies and innovative techniques. UK has given our city invaluable planning tools to develop and sustain our unique community. The rehabilitation and adaptive reuse designs for the Guthrie Transportation Museum originated at the College of Design. This project has been awarded $900,000 to date. Professor Jason Scroggin is currently designing a downtown park that will serve as the core of our city. "Cherokee Square" will be created using modern technologies, "fly-ash" custom park furniture, and environmental LED lighting systems. Our city is looking forward to realizing these projects as they define our outlook towards the future and growth of our community.
Guthrie is also on the verge of expansion and massive change as Hemlock Semi-Conductor & Dow Corning Corporation has located its 4 Billion dollar industry within 3 miles of our city center. This industry has the ability to transform our community and we are currently preparing for this opportunity by adapting our city for its impact.
Whether you come from near or far, we think of Guthrie not only as Robert Penn Warrens’ a “Place to Come To” as he described his homelands in one of his historic poems but, as a “Great Place to Come To.” Guthrie is a place to build a home, start a family, embark on a business endeavor, or to spend your golden years of retirement. A peaceful place to relax and enjoy after a stressful day. Our city is unique and outside of the commonplace. A place where friends are always welcome. A place in this beautiful Commonwealth we are proud to call home.
Mayor A. Scott Marshall
As we journey into the 21st century, we find our community in a most opportune position, a crossroads, where past meets present. Guthrie’s early years were dependent on the railroad. So much so, that when granted a city charter in 1879, the name Guthrie was chosen in honor of then president of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, James Guthrie. Served by CSX Transportation, and R.J. Corman Railroad, Guthrie still thrives as a regional railroad hub.
Another vital component of the formation of our city and its distinct heritage is agriculture. The actions of the Planters Protective Association and its infamous “Night Riders” of the nationally renown Tobacco Wars inspired Guthrie native, Robert Penn Warren to write the first, of his many novels. Robert Penn Warren is undoubtedly Guthrie’s most accomplished citizen. He received 2 Pulitzer Prizes for Poetry, and 1 for his novel All the King’s Men. Robert Penn Warren was honored as the Poet Laureate of the United States in 1986 and later with a U.S. Postal Stamp in 2005. His Birthplace Museum is located at Third & Cherry St.
Once the Tobacco Wars era was over, Guthrie gained strength again from its location near the railroad. In 1913, the L&N Railroad constructed a plant to pressure treat rail ties with creosote. The L&N operated this facility until 1930 when Bond Brothers Co. acquired the operations. In 1958 Koppers Industries purchased the tie plant, which is still in operation in its original location and is considered to be Guthrie and Todd County’s oldest industry. During the late 1920’s, another transportation landmark was being created, Alexander’s Standard Gas Station. Today it is known as Joe’s Chevron, a family operated business that is managed by Mr. Joe’s son, Kenneth. Located at the corner of U.S.41 and Ky.346, it is the longest continuously operated Standard Oil Chevron station in America.
Many new achievements have improved our city. The award winning Logan-Todd Regional Water Plant is one example of advanced modern technology serving rural Kentucky. This state-of-the-art 12 million gallon per day facility provides water to over 40 thousand residential, commercial, and industrial customers in Todd, Logan, and Christian counties.
Currently, Guthrie is taking another historic step as we are proud to partner with the University of Kentucky’s College of Design. Our future is much brighter with UK’s technology, experience, and resources. The College of Design has enhanced our city using new technologies and innovative techniques. UK has given our city invaluable planning tools to develop and sustain our unique community. The rehabilitation and adaptive reuse designs for the Guthrie Transportation Museum originated at the College of Design. This project has been awarded $900,000 to date. Professor Jason Scroggin is currently designing a downtown park that will serve as the core of our city. "Cherokee Square" will be created using modern technologies, "fly-ash" custom park furniture, and environmental LED lighting systems. Our city is looking forward to realizing these projects as they define our outlook towards the future and growth of our community.
Guthrie is also on the verge of expansion and massive change as Hemlock Semi-Conductor & Dow Corning Corporation has located its 4 Billion dollar industry within 3 miles of our city center. This industry has the ability to transform our community and we are currently preparing for this opportunity by adapting our city for its impact.
Whether you come from near or far, we think of Guthrie not only as Robert Penn Warrens’ a “Place to Come To” as he described his homelands in one of his historic poems but, as a “Great Place to Come To.” Guthrie is a place to build a home, start a family, embark on a business endeavor, or to spend your golden years of retirement. A peaceful place to relax and enjoy after a stressful day. Our city is unique and outside of the commonplace. A place where friends are always welcome. A place in this beautiful Commonwealth we are proud to call home.
Mayor A. Scott Marshall
