We went to the beautiful Woodland Cemetery Tuesday for the funeral of a good friend.

The VFW performed the 21-gun salute and “Taps” was played at the graveside and it was very impressive. We are fortunate to have such a beautiful cemetery and such a wonderful VFW that serves our veterans.

Our ice cream social is coming up. It will be 6 p.m. July 25. Country Knights, a county music band, will entertain us.

Our new neighbor, David Phillips, is painting the wall between us. This helps the museum because we need some repairs done to our foundation and such. Welcome, David.

The piano we recently purchased was tuned and has a wonderful sound. We think we are fortunate to have had the opportunity to purchase this piano.

For those who want good summer reading, Lori Shafer’s book on the iron furnaces is available now at the museum. It is one of many local history books on sale.

We received word that the Floyd County, Ky., Historical Society is in the process of compiling a documentary on the tragedy of some students who drowned in the Big Sandy River several years ago.

We will let you know when we receive more information.

Historical fact, from an article written by Don Mayne April 2, 1986

Did you know? A mid-1920 Ironton City Directory gave this view of a prosperous city: there were 25 attorneys, 20 garages and five bakeries.

Four banks covered the financial scene; there were 23 barbershops, seven buggy and harness works, 65 carpenters and 12 confectionaries.

We find six dentists, 41, dressmakers, nine drug stores, three express delivery offices and 60 grocery stores. There were 13 ice cream parlors and 14 restaurants, seven jewelry stores and 10 meat markets. There were 12 music teachers and 10 wallpaper hangers.

There were 22 physicians, three hospitals, nine pool rooms and two bowling alleys.

The town had 28 saloons, 23 show repair shops, three theaters, 12 lumberyards, three cigar manufacturers, five iron furnaces and five hotels. Where did they all go?