The Silent City Tour of 2025, the nineteenth year of this event, was a success! Seven presenters were scattered across the historic Columbia Cemetery and each represented a character from our long and storied past.
A large crowd assembled for the annual tour, some walked from the Genealogy & History Research Center on Greensburg Street, others gathered near the entrance to the historic “Old Section” behind the Justice Center and Fire Department buildings.
Presenters this year were: Mike Watson portrayed William T. Trabue; Linda Marcum Waggener brought Mary Marshall Paull Todd to life; Richard Phelps enlivened Judge Herschel Clay Baker; Ernestine Smith Bennett represented the Daughters of the American Revolution by representing Miss Sallie Baker, first regent of the Jane Lampton Chapter; LeeAnn Jessee portrayed the first Adair County Book Mobile librarian, Mrs. Mary Triplett Cravens; Dave Thomas of the Lanterns & Tombstones Tour group entertained the group with his portrayal of Dr. Samuel Preston “Tink” Miller; and Annita Dial represented the Order of the Eastern Star by portraying Mrs. Annie Elizabeth Sandusky Kelsey, who held the same office in the original Order in Columbia as Annita does today.
Seventy-two people signed the attendance lists, but at least a dozen or more joined the group as the tour was in progress. So, adding the presenters and the support staff from the Library and Research Center, we estimate ninety-two attendees!
If you missed this tour, mark your calendar for next Monday, October 12, 2026—we will be back with new Silent City residents to introduce! The 2026 Tour will mark our 20th year of Silent City and there will be a program each Monday night in the month of October!
If anyone present on the Tour took photographs, please share with the Research Center so we can preserve those images. If you do, please email: adairgenealogy@gmail.com or Watson.kentucky@gmail.com.
Thank you all for your continued support of our local history and genealogy!!
(Michael C. Watson – Adair County Genealogy & History Research Center)