Florence Kentucky Online

Boone County Flashback: Rebels run to Rupp 25 years ago

The 2009-10 high school basketball season marks the 25th anniversary of a historical basketball run by the Boone County Rebels. The 1984-85 Boone County basketball team was led by junior David Dinn and a talented roster who were returning from a successful season the year before. The team, coached by Jay Mulcahy, came into the season as an underdog to defend their 33rd District title and make it to the Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena.

The 1984-85 Rebels played well throughout the season. David Dinn's scoring and dunking made the team exciting to watch. Jeff Tierney also made a huge contribution to the team's success averaging 15 points a game and leading Northern Kentucky with 8 assists per game. As the season progressed, Boone County fans knew that something special was taking place. The Rebels cruised through their district championship games, defeating Dixie, Conner and Lloyd.

The Rebels would go on to defeat Beechwood in a low scoring game 47-35 to begin the regionals. A win over Campbell County in hostile territory 67-59 led to a regional finals matchup with Newport. The game against Newport would prove to be a classic. The score was 51-50 in Newport's favor with 8 seconds left on the game clock. Senior Jim Samuels was fouled and went to the line to try two crucial free throws. As the gym fell silent, Samuels hit the first to tie the game at 51-51. The second shot went in as well, handing the Rebels a 52-51 victory and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in Lexington at Rupp Arena.

All of Boone County High School and the city of Florence was caught up in the fever of the team's trip to Lexington and the Sweet Sixteen. Donning their "Slam Master Dinn" t-shirts, fans were anxious to make their way to Lexington to root on this historical Boone County team. The school and the city caught Boone County basketball fever and six pep buses rolled off the Boone County High School campus to carry the many fans to the game at Rupp Arena. Nearly 3500 Boone County fans made the trip to Lexington to see the Rebels take on Clay County in the opening round of the Sweet Sixteen. Clay County was a highly ranked opponent and proved to be too much for the Cinderella Rebels team. Playing a team that included the likes of future Kentucky Wildcats legend Richie Farmer, Boone County was knocked out in the first round 60-49. The team kept the game close all the way but the higher ranked Clay County team pulled away at the end of the game.

Despite the first round loss, this team went down in history as one of the most successful, beloved and memorable teams in the history of Boone County sports. It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 25 years since this magical run to the Sweet Sixteen. For those who were there to experience the excitement of that magical season, the memories will last a lifetime.

Get your hands on a piece of Boone County Basketball History

As the 1984-85 Boone County Rebels were preparing to take on Clay County in the Sweet Sixteen in Lexington, the school was going crazy with Rebel Spirit. Wearing your favorite Boone County shirt hit an all-time level of popularity during the team's historic season. To celebrate the team's trip to Lexington, the art department at Boone County created a t-shirt design to commemorate the team's success. The t-shirt featured star player David Dinn and used a take on a popular musical theme from the era to capture the spirit of the team and the school. The "Slam Master Dinn and the Furious Four Alive in '85" shirt could be seen all around the school. The shirts were printed right there in the art department at the school and proved to be a popular item from that spectacular season. Developed from the original piece of art used to create the original design back in 1985, the Florence Ky Online store has recreated this classic piece of Boone County sports history. A replica version of this classic t-shirt is now available at the Florence Ky Online store. You can travel back in time and celebrate the 25th anniversary of this great accomplishment by wearing this classic t-shirt celebrating a great moment in Boone County sports history.

Florence Ky Online is now on Twitter!

Keep up with all that is going on in the city of Florence by following Florence Ky Online on Twitter!

The Florence Y'all Water Tower

Today's Picture of the Day is likely the most famous landmark in the City of Florence. Thousands of people who travel I-75 each day get a look at the famous Florence Y'all water tower. Folks from Michigan to Florida and all points in between know that when they pass through Florence they will see this original and unusual landmark.

Here is how Wikipedia explains the origins of the tower and its unique design:

The tower holds approximately one million gallons of water, and was constructed in the early 1970s by the Pittsburgh-Des Moines Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The plain water tower gathered little, if any attention. In 1974, the Virginia Erection Co. was contracted to paint the words "Florence Mall" to advertise the forthcoming Mall style shopping center - something new to the region. Mayor CM "Hop" Ewing was informed in July of 1974 by the Bureau of Highways that the signage was in violation of the law, as there was a restriction on how tall a sign promoting a business could be.

Many solutions were suggested, including everything from the obvious repainting of the tower, to covering the structure with a large tarpaulin. No inexpensive options seemed available.

During a brainstorming session with other civil staff, Ewing devised the idea of removing the vertical lines at the sides of the M in MALL to make it a Y; becoming Y'ALL. Ewing himself admitted at the time that it was a "corny" solution, but cost effective. The city paid $472 to the W.T. Marx Company of Cincinnati, Ohio to make the changes; whereas a complete repaint would have been nearly three times as much. With the completion of the modified paint job, the landmark was born.

Those of us who have been around Florence for a while remember when this all took place as the Florence Mall was being built. The Florence Mall changed everything in Florence and though none of us really knew it at the time, it led to the creation of one of the most famous landmarks along I-75.

The Florence Y'all theme has become a part of the fabric of the community. The term even inspired the Florence Y'all festivals that used to take place on Main Street and more recently at Champion Window Field. The water tower is a great curiosity to those who pass it each day, and a beloved landmark to the citizens of the community.

Florence Businesses Past

Wednesday's article about the old Florence Mall brought back some great memories and got some very enthusiastic response. Those who have lived in Florence and Boone County for a long time have seen the area transform in so many different ways over the years. Any time we get a chance to look back at the Florence of our past, it brings back so many special memories.

Florence has always been a business hub in Northern Kentucky. The city is well known for the Florence Mall and all of the great shopping and restaurants around the area. The business landscape has changed greatly over the years, but many residents still remember some of the great old businesses that used to call Florence home.

Today Florence Ky Online has assembled a photo gallery that takes a look back at some memorable and classic businesses from Florence past. Many of you will remember these classic institutions and were likely loyal customers to many of them. 

Enjoy this great look back at the past and share your memories of some of these great Florence businesses past! (click on the image to see a larger view)

Florence History: Boone County Basketball at Rupp Arena 1985

The 2009-10 high school basketball season marks the 25th anniversary of a historical basketball run by the Boone County Rebels. The 1984-85 Boone County basketball team was led by junior David Dinn and a talented roster who were returning from a successful season the year before. The team, coached by Jay Mulcahy, came into the season as an underdog to defend their 33rd District title and make it to the Sweet Sixteen in Rupp Arena.

The 1984-85 Rebels played well throughout the season. David Dinn's scoring and dunking made the team exciting to watch. Jeff Tierney also made a huge contribution to the team's success averaging 15 points a game and leading Northern Kentucky with 8 assists per game. As the season progressed, Boone County fans knew that something special was taking place. The Rebels cruised through their district championship games, defeating Dixie, Conner and Lloyd.

The Rebels would go on to defeat Beechwood in a low scoring game 47-35 to begin the regionals. A win over Campbell County in hostile territory 67-59 led to a regional finals matchup with Newport. The game against Newport would prove to be a classic. The score was 51-50 in Newport's favor with 8 seconds left on the game clock. Senior Jim Samuels was fouled and went to the line to try two crucial free throws. As the gym fell silent, Samuels hit the first to tie the game at 51-51. The second shot went in as well, handing the Rebels a 52-51 victory and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen in Lexington at Rupp Arena.

All of Boone County High School and the city of Florence was caught up in the fever of the team's trip to Lexington and the Sweet Sixteen. Donning their "Slam Master Dinn" t-shirts, fans were anxious to make their way to Lexington to root on this historical Boone County team. The school and the city caught Boone County basketball fever and six pep buses rolled off the Boone County High School campus to carry the many fans to the game at Rupp Arena. Nearly 3500 Boone County fans made the trip to Lexington to see the Rebels take on Clay County in the opening round of the Sweet Sixteen. Clay County was a highly ranked opponent and proved to be too much for the Cinderella Rebels team. Playing a team that included the likes of future Kentucky Wildcats legend Richie Farmer, Boone County was knocked out in the first round 60-49. The team kept the game close all the way but the higher ranked Clay County team pulled away at the end of the game.

Despite the first round loss, this team went down in history as one of the most successful, beloved and memorable teams in the history of Boone County sports. It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 25 years since this magical run to the Sweet Sixteen. For those who were there to experience the excitement of that magical season, the memories will last a lifetime.

Get your hands on a piece of Boone County Basketball History

As the 1984-85 Boone County Rebels were preparing to take on Clay County in the Sweet Sixteen in Lexington, the school was going crazy with Rebel Spirit. Wearing your favorite Boone County shirt hit an all-time level of popularity during the team's historic season. To celebrate the team's trip to Lexington, the art department at Boone County created a t-shirt design to commemorate the team's success. The t-shirt featured star player David Dinn and used a take on a popular musical theme from the era to capture the spirit of the team and the school. The "Slam Master Dinn and the Furious Four Alive in '85" shirt could be seen all around the school. The shirts were printed right there in the art department at the school and proved to be a popular item from that spectacular season. Developed from the original piece of art used to create the original design back in 1985, the Florence Ky Online store has recreated this classic piece of Boone County sports history. A replica version of this classic t-shirt is now available at the Florence Ky Online store. You can travel back in time and celebrate the 25th anniversary of this great accomplishment by wearing this classic t-shirt celebrating a great moment in Boone County sports history.

Florence Ky Online is now on Twitter!

Keep up with all that is going on in the city of Florence by following Florence Ky Online on Twitter!

Picture of the Day: Florence Progress, Florence Past

If you just take a quick look at today's Picture of the Day, you might think you are looking at one of the many Boone County farms that populate the area in its more rural settings. If you take a closer look, you see a great image that shows a contrast between Florence's past and its present. In the foreground, you see the farm area that still exists at the south end of Mall Road. In the background, across I-75, you see the modern side of Florence, in Champion Window Field.

This farm is the last undeveloped piece of land on Mall Road and sits just behind the Florence Mall on the US 42 side of Mall Road. I know there has to be a story about why this farm still exists on Mall Road, as the last piece of undeveloped land in the area. This picture captures two different time periods in Florence's history in one image. I'm sure there is a story as to why this scene from the past still exists on Mall Road. If you have any information on or stories about this last piece of land on Mall Road, please share it below in the comments.

Today's Boone County News:

Airport gets new director

Florence paintballers win big in SC

Freedom open season on Wednesday

Conner grad to study in Japan

Horse Show planned for this weekend

Ryle grad on all-tournament team

Lady Jags win last home game

NFL players to play softball at Freedom home

Dealership not ready to give up

Construction begins on Florence Chick-Fil-A

Florence History: Dixie Motor Court

As you pass by this unassuming old apartment building on US 25 between Florence and Richwood, you might not immediately think of it as a piece of Florence history. This old building sits on a part of US 25 that is now populated with many different types of businesses and does not really seem like a historical part of town.

Back in the old days, before there was an I-75 going through Florence, US 25 was the main highway through town. Travelers passing through the area had to use US 25 to travel through the area and it was the home of many restaurants and hotels along its route. This particular old building was one of those historic Florence establishments. (click on the image for a larger view)

This building was once the home of the Dixie Motor Court. The Dixie Motor Court was a popular motel and restaurant along the US 25 corridor through Florence and Boone County. The Dixie Motor Court was owned by the Ely family who lived in the house that was next door to the motel and restaurant. The sign in front of the restaurant showed the restaurant's specialties of sandwiches and short orders.

So many historical places from our area's past are either gone or have changed so much over the years that they are hard to recognize. The next time you travel down US 25, look for this hidden piece of Boone County history along the way.

Today's Boone County News:

Olivia Henderson is the Remke Student of the Week

Walton Verona school starting food pantry

Library continues to offer free concerts

Christmas comes early for Rebels baseball team

Making a mark with sports graphics

Ryle High School Spring Musical

Woman helps injured birds

New Freedom Manager hopes for fast start

Marine Band to play concert at Ryle High School

Boone County School District to walk for Autism Speaks

Boone County wins Doc Morris tourney

Community Profile: The edge of civilization

I know the headline and the photo don't seem to match, but today's image is of the US 42 area going toward Gunpowder and Pleasant Valley roads. By today's standards, this is the heart of town, but for those of us who grew up here, this used to be the end of civilization. When you reached this area, you were on your way out to Union and were leaving all of the comforts of Florence behind. When you went past this area, you were on your way to the country!

Today, you would never guess that this was where town ended and the country began. The road has changed greatly and now follows a much straighter path. Businesses have sprung up all over the area and the residential area beyond this point has grown exponentially over the years. The area is now full of shops, restaurants, banks and many other businesses.

If anyone has a picture of this area from many years ago, it would be great to compare it to the look of the area today. If you have a picture, please send it to us via e-mail and we can take a look at a before and after.

Today's Boone County News:

WV second graders raise $550 for shelter

NKY fishing holes stocked up

Good work ethic rewarded with scholarship

Zone change clears way for Boone subdivision

Student starting college early

Church hosts safety seminar

Good Friday brings churches together

Interfaith prayer set today

First details of Senior Center revealed