Oxford owes Bill Russell a debt of gratitude
Columnist and historian Jack Lamar Mayfield talks of his friend, the late Bill Russell. (May 20, 2011, Page 2B)
City weighs awards for local preservationists
Oxford Historic Preservation Commission will continue talks in January about a potential new award to give out to local historic preservationists as well as other community outreach events. (December 15, 2010, Page 1A)
Letters to the Editor
Raychel Furr Bartek wrote to give background on the two houses owned by St. John’s Catholic Church that have been in the news lately in reference to a decision about their future. Bartek wrote about her grandparents who owned the properties and how her grandfather was a good friend of William Faulkner and the basis for a recurring character in Faulkner’s work. (August 23, 2010, Page 4A)
Green light for green space
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church has been seeking permission to donate two houses to charity. During an Oxford Board of Alderman meeting, applause broke out from more than 100 people in attendance because an initial denial by the Historic Preservation Commission was overturned. Now the church will be able to move forward with plans to replace the homes with green space. (August 18, 2010, Page 1)
Letters to the Editor
Bernie and Peggy Smith write to urge members of the community to come to Tuesday’s Board of Aldermen meeting to show support for overturning a decision by the Oxford Historic Preservation Commission about two houses that St. John’s owns and wants to donate to charity. (August 16, 2010, Page 4)
Request to demolish home in historic district hits snag
A missing certified letter could have a historic home demolished. The Oxford Historic Preservation Commission asked the owner of 1405 Madison Avenue to appear at a public hearing, but Chipper Calhoon said he “was not informed of anything.” The property is considered historical to the district but damage to the structure makes it a possible fire hazard. (July 14, 2010, Page 2)
Hotel project moves forward
Despite ongoing dissent from many who live in the Jefferson Avenue neighborhood and other city residents, both downtown historic commissions approved a request for a new hotel and parking lot near the Square. The Historic Preservation Commission voted 5-4 on favor of the new hotel. The Courthouse Square Historic Preservation Commission voted 4-1 in favor of the parking lot across the street. (May 13, 2010, Page 1A, 5A)
