Keefer

by Dwight Colson

I have lived in Keefer for sixteen years.  As I grow older, I see the former events of Keefer gradually fading away from the minds of the "old-timers," new generation takes little time to explore the past.  But it would be interesting to piece together the stories of the early families who lived and worked here, where now there are only old foundations, decaying logs, and bits of broken glass.  In the early days, the soil of this community was rich with humus of decayed plant and animal life.  But now, after decades of hard farming by people unaware of the future of their community, the soil on many farms is coarse with clay, depleted of the natural minerals early settlers found here.  

The topography of Keefer has changed much in the past forty years.  At one time, the dirt road to Keefer was lined with virgin timber.  Most of the people lived off the road close to springs and behind hills, which protected them from the raw winter winds that chilled the hard-to-heat houses.  Gradually the woods were cleared for cropland and pastureland; the people began building homes that are still here today.  

One interesting discovery of my own is that all the steep hills lie to the north, with their southern slopes generally long and moderately steep.  This is the one thing I would like to find the cause of during my lifetime.  To get a clear view of the watershed of Keefer, just imagine that Keefer Road runs straight down a ridge.  Facing west, all the water on the left side drains into Three Forks Creek, while that on the right runs to Musselman Creek.  

The soil of Keefer is especially noted for its water holding properties, and under the government plan, many farm ponds have been constructed to insure a good water supply during the long dry summers.  The Keefer Road begins at U.S. 25 and ends at Three Forks Creek.  This creek is the boundary line between Grant County and Owen County.  Antioch Church once stood on the banks of Three Forks, but it was torn down and rebuilt on the present site.  Besides the church, Keefer once had three stores, two schools, and a post office.  Of these, the Antioch Church remains, rebuilt with brick after the frame building burnt down in. [sic]    

From a collection of essays written in American Literature Eleven.  The class was taught by Ms. Hazel Ogden of Grant County High School in the 1963-1964 school year, and was typed by the typing classes of Mrs. Mattie Cox.  It is copyrighted by the Grant County Schools, and is used here with their kind permission. We found a copy in UK's King Library.