A Look At Our City By Sandra Myers
If you were to take a step back in time and walk downtown Main Street before the late 1800's and early 1900's you would find the same buildings
dominating the city and her Main Street. After all these years, the important element of the city and county landscape remain.
The present day courthouse completed in 1922 stands today on the same location and still serves as the center of county government. The antique malls that stand today are reminiscent of days gone by. Buildings built before and just after 1900 still house the artifacts of those who once played stickball in the streets of Cadiz; long before it was
necessary for a stop light, let alone two. With a little imagination, one can almost hear the fiery speeches that must have flowed from the majestic second balcony of the courthouse.
In those days, "Second Monday" in Trigg County was a day that attracted people from all over the county. Whole families came to town; it was a special day. Buggies, wagons, horses, and some cars pulled up along sidewalks and
yards. Considerable activity took place both inside and outside the courthouse. Visiting from open windows was the rule of the day. Old friends setting on benches in front of the courthouse. Shoppers strolling along the two-block business district; this was Main Street in the early 1900's. There was brisk mule trading on the
street in back of the court house; considerable hound dog and knife swapping, and a flat bed truck parked on the court house lawn to be used later as a stage for the "Tweedy Brothers" a pair of itinerant musicians, who performed on piano and fiddle. In those early days, Second Monday was all noise, color, and excitement. Today Main Street still attracts people from all over. However now they come not only
from all over the county but from all over the world. Visitors from every state and every capital of almost every country have stopped by for a taste of famous Trigg County Country Ham. Old friends and traditions revived and remembered - New friends are made and not forgotten. A city that may roll up the side walks on Saturday night and yet keeps the Nashville beat and the promise of a future musician
alive at "Jim's Lakeland Jamboree" each weekend. A city well known for its country cookin', country ham, fried chicken, barbecue, beaten biscuits and jam cake is also innovated enough to serve Mexican and Chinese on Main Street. Sometimes the past tends to be forgotten, but recently, there has been a revival of interest in our local
histories. The Trigg County Historical and Preservation Society has taken the lead in an effort to save the valuable history of the county. The reorganization of the Society has inspired a renewed interest in all historic downtown Cadiz. Teresa Bailey, wife of Cadiz Mayor Lyn Bailey and member of the Society said recently, "To most people life is a blur, driving to the ball park, the grocery store, or
where ever. The problem is they fail to see what is all around them. Then when they travel to a new town they see it for the first time and notice everything. People are always looking for a quaint place to visit. We want them to visit our quaint place here in Cadiz." One of the projects supported by the Society is the renovation and restoration of the former Western Auto building, built in 1863.
This Civil War era building is located along the historical downtown district and will house the new City Administration Center for the City of Cadiz.
The plan is simple; enlist the help of the entire community. Instill the importance of collecting and preserving the history that is in jeopardy of being lost forever. Support activities such as the Kentucky Renaissance Program, The Cadiz Arts Center,
The John L. Street Library and the newly acquired John L. Street Jr. Victorian Main Street Home that will be used as a showplace for the community, continued community involvement in the Main Street Program, "Old building" education, and the sponsoring of special preservation programs.
All of this makes up the city of Cadiz. A city born of the past, remembering its history today, and planning for the development of its future for tomorrow. | 
