Upton, Kentucky is located in both Larue and Hardin counties. It has a rich and colorful history. Edward Upton, son of a Revolutionary War soldier, Edward Upton, came to Hardin County in 1812 and bought a large body of land, on part of which the town of Upton is now located. The town was known for some time as Leesville, after the first postmaster, Silas Lee, appointed on January 1, l841.

In April, 1856, the name of the town was changed to Uptonville, in honor of the son of Edward Upton, George Washington Upton, who was born on March 22, 1820 in Hardin County, where Upton now stands. At the age of twenty, he farmed two hundred acres of land in and around the present site of Upton. He encouraged settlement by giving one acre of land to anyone who would build a home on the property. He also donated land for the Baptist Church and the public school.

To insure the town had rail service, he built a train station about 1857 and later sold it to the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Uptonville became a rail shipping point for cattle, tobacco, and produce. In May, 1892, the name was changed from Uptonville to Upton.

General John Hunt Morgan, after defeating the Union's Second Michigan Calvary at Glasgow, celebrated Christmas on the evening of December 25, 1862 just five miles south of the town of Upton. Early on the morning of the 26^th, continuing a drive toward Louisville along the L & N Railroad, the Federal Garrison at Upton was taken completely by surprise and captured. Then, taking possession of the telegraph offices, Morgan and a young quick-witted telegraph operator, "Lightning," proceeded to send misleading information as to Morgan's whereabouts and strength to the Union's General Boyle in Louisville. It was reported that several miles of railroad were also destroyed.

Records also report that during the War Between the States, several of Upton's homes were seized and converted into hospitals. The Lee Upton building, on the left in the picture with the arched porch, was one of the older structures in town. It's rafters were made of chopped poles instead of sawed lumber. Inside there was wooden wainscoting about three feet up the walls. Rocks as big as a doubled fist were filled in behind it to convert the building into a fort.

 It later served as the telephone office. The building on the right was the first location of Rider's Grocery Store about 60 years ago. To the right of it were a cream station and beauty shop.

1896-Citizens had to build a fence to keep out the town stock.

1898-Two freight trains crashed near Upton killing three men and injuring four, with a property loss estimated at $100,000.00.

1900-Young people in Upton spent the evening at an Apron Party. The boys had to hem the girls' aprons. Best and booby prizes were awarded. There were many curious stitches made.

1905-Water pipes have been put in some stores and dwellings from Georgetown Reservoir, furnished by the windmill pumping the water from an 80 foot well.

A Tacky Party was held. Cellar and attic were robbed for the time. All presented an unusual appearance.

A Chocolate Tea was enjoyed by all present.

The G.W. Upton storehouse, one of the oldest buildings in town, was torn down. It was built in 1865 and will be replaced with a handsome building for dry goods.

1906 Upton Business Advertisements (From Upton Institute college brochure)

1906-Five stores, the bank, hotel, telephone and telegraph property were damaged or destroyed by fire. Two hundred men, women and children constituted a bucket brigade dashing water on the flames. Telephone and Western Union Service on the East side of the railroad were destroyed. Wires melted in to and some poles burned down.

A Shadow Pie social was held.

1907-A town lot cost $75.00.

Rev. Bowles and J.A. Howard cleaned off the ground for the new Baptist church. Herbert DeWitt made the first mark and Frank O"Brian drove the first nail. The building is 40 x 40 and will cost $2,000.00.

The Methodists have bought a lot near Rider's Store and will erect a new church in the near future.

1908- Prices for Goods:

100 lbs. Barb wire $3.00 ……………….100 lbs. Diary feed $1.50

20 lbs. White syrup $1.00 ………………1 bar of soap .01

1 lb. Coffee .15 …………………………3 lbs. Macaroni .25

Paying for: Eggs .17….Butter .18……Gensing $5.00

1918- A new Ford touring car has been purchased. Automobiles are increasing rapidly in our town the past month.

1920- Harvy Vance and Miss Ruth Miller (Teresa Wilcox' grandparents) were married Wednesday in Jeffersonville.

1929- Henry J. Street, one of the last surviving Confederate soldiers in Hardin Co., died at his home in Upton.

Lyda Ray Vance won the spelling bee for elementary school pupils in Hardin County at the courthouse. Cash prizes were given the winners.

1931- The Upton School Honor Roll for Fourth Grade included: Damon Ray (Mr. Campbell's grandfather), Raymond Avery, Mildred Sutherland, Patrick Sharp, Basil Wells. Seniors included Virginia Hodges, Susie and Nancy Cruse, Pansy Mabe, Paul McClure.

1932- Hardin County teachers' salaries were reduced five dollars a month per teacher by the Hardin County Board of Education.

1936- 500 persons attended a reunion of Sandy School pupils, near Sonora. Occasion was prompted by the sale of Sandy schoolhouse as a part of the county school consolidation program.

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1946- Sixty-one men in Hardin County lost their lives in WW II.

Twelve members of the class of 1946 graduated at Upton School. Members included: Ruby Kinkade, valedictorian (Laura Kemper's grandmother): Greta Faye Cave, salutatorian; Ida Mae Campbell; Juanita Conner; Maxine Witten; Frances Wood; Lamonte Hornback; Everett Rider; Ralph Thornberry; Walton Vance; Garland Wilcox; Stanley Wood.

1951- Miss Ruby Alice Kincade and Fred Kemper were married at the Upton Baptist parsonage.

The home of Bennie Brackett was completely destroyed by fire. The family was awakened when a portion of the roof caved in. Mr. Brackett suffered slight burns. (Frances Brackett's Father-in-law)

The engagement of Miss Jennie Lee Avery and Pfc. Norman H. Patterson (Miss Patti's brother-in-law) was announced. A Christmas wedding was planned.

1952- Going Home for Christmas: Cpl. Eugene T. Wooden (Mitch Peavler's grandfather) was one of the lucky participants in "Operation Reindeer". He spent Christmas with his family in Upton, Ky.

Thieves broke in Gilbert Morris' grocery (Samantha Sheeran's great-grandfather) at Upton Friday night.

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Special thanks to the family of Almira Miller and Ruth Vance, Mr. and Mrs. Rebecca and George Vance and Mrs. Teresa Wilcox, for this special stroll down memory lane in Upton, Kentucky, by sharing their Upton News Scrapbooks.

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