Historian: Paducah site could yield Civil War relicsAssociated Press • December 20, 2009
PADUCAH, Ky. — A Western Kentucky historian is calling for the site of a defunct hotel to be excavated and searched for any relics from a Civil War battle.
Human remains and artifacts from the Battle of Paducah, which was fought in 1864 at the site of Fort Anderson, could be buried where the Executive Inn once stood in Paducah, said Murray State University professor Ken Carstens.
The Paducah Sun reported that 20th-century industrial development and the 1980s construction of the hotel and convention center disturbed some battlefield areas.
Carstens said there could still be significant artifacts. He also said some areas of the fort have not been disturbed.
“We all realize the importance of developing a new hotel and want that to happen,” he said. “My point is historic preservation.”
The hotel initially closed in April 2008 and operated sporadically thereafter. It shut down for the last time in June after the electricity was turned off. The hotel is also at the center of a $3.5million lawsuit over a loan.
The city plans to complete the purchase of the closed hotel this week and wants to have the building torn down next year. Authorities say they will solicit proposals from private developers for a new hotel.
City Manager Jim Zumwalt said he's aware of the federal requirement to survey sites that may have archaeological significance. An archaeologist will be hired to conduct the required study, he said.
Zumwalt said the historic significance could be incorporated into later plans, such as having public recognition of the fort and archaeological findings.
Carstens said the Battle of Paducah included members of the 8th and 13th Kentucky Colored Heavy Artillery Unit. He wants any archaeological work completed before the hotel is demolished.
Zumwalt said any digging can probably wait until after the structure is torn down because that doesn't involve deep ground penetration.
http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20091220/NEWS01/912200360/1008/Historian++Paducah+site+could+yield+Civil+War+relics
