The following events occurred during the week of May 6-12

1890: Fire swept through a livery stable, killing 10 horses and mules. This was the second of three fires that devastated early Middlesboro

1893: The Saratoga Saloon on the southwest corner of 21st and Cumberland Ave. was advertising beer, liquor, wine, cigars and a free lunch. The lunch featured roast pig, boiled ham and roast beef.

1900: A Y.M.C.A. was organized. The membership fee of $2.50 entitled one access to the gym, reading room and hall in the Colson Building on Cumberland Ave.

1914: The City Council voted to allow Rogan Brothers Hardware to put a Bowser self-measuring gasoline tank in the sidewalk at the curb in front of their business.

1924: The mine car and the Hoe-Hyatt roller bearing truck of J. R. Hoe and Sons was exhibited at the National Coal Association and Mining Congress. Hoe’s Foundry was manufacturing 250 to 300 mine cars a month.

1925: Every barber shop in town reduced its prices. Haircuts that were $.50 were reduced to $.45 and the cost of a shave went down to $.20.

1932: The petunia was named the official flower of Middlesboro by the Middlesboro Garden Club.

1940: Bill to create Cumberland Gap National Historical Park passed Congress with no dissenting votes.

1948: Residents saw their first airship when the Goodyear blimp, the Mayflower, was in Middlesboro for one day. Several local people were taken up for rides.

To learn more about local history, visit the Bell County Museum, located just north of the Middlesboro Post Office, Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.