Blanchett

by Mary Ann O'Hara

Blanchett was the name given to a small depot several years ago by H. L. O. Blanchett who owned about three or four hundred acres of land where the depot was built.  Mr. Blanchett, a native of France,  built the house which was sold, along with the land, to Andrew Foree in 1908.  The Dixie Highway was run through the back part of the farm.  Mr. Foree's daughter - Gladys Steger told me many interesting things about Blanchett.  Blanchett was always a small place and the railroad and the depot were the main attractions.  People came from miles around to board the train for Cincinnati, about fifty miles away.  The train was known as the "commuter."  By the depot was a turntable where the engine was turned around each time for the round trip back to Cincinnati.  The turntable was operated by man-power, and it was a great thrill for those who were allowed to help turn the engine around for the return trip.  Not far from the depot was the Catholic Church and its cemetery. St. Joseph was a small wooden structure serving just a few families.  Finally Mass was said here only once a month, and that on Saturday.  About ten years ago the building was torn down, and the lumber was used to build a Baptist Church at Cross Roads.  The cemetery is a deserted place, the graves seldom visited by anyone.     

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.