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LYONS LUMBER HISTORY
Family Heritage
George Maxey Lyons and America Ellen
Carpenter (Lyons) made their home in Menifee County, Kentucky and then Madison County
before coming to Franklin County in the early 1900's. George and America had
three children,
Greene Riley Lyons, Ada Ann Lyons (Messick) and Hazel Permilia Lyons (Johnson).
Greene and America founded and operated Lyons Lumber Company in 1909.
In 1926, George and America built and ran the Southern Hotel on Second Street
in which she and the hotel were well known all across Kentucky. The hotel was later known as the Southern Apartments.
Greene and his wife Bertha Lewis (Lyons) had two children, Vera Mae Lyons
(Stevenson) and Louis Maxey Lyons.
Vera along with her husband, Burton James [Steve] Stevenson, carried on the
business for several years. Vera and Steve had one child, Burton Riley
[Burt] Stevenson.
Burt grew up in the business working summers during his high school years.
He even helped in rebuilding the Lumber Company after the fire of 1953. He and his wife, Mary Ann Ball (Stevenson) continued the business until Burt
passed away in 2008. Burt and Mary Ann had two children Gregg Riley Stevenson
and William Scott [Scott] Stevenson.
Gregg and Scott also grew up in the business working summers during school and
have been in the business full time since 1984. Gregg and Scott are now running Lyons Lumber
Company today.
The Fire of 1953
In 1953 there was a huge fire at the Lumber Company. The fire was so big
it could be
seen from other adjoining counties. The structures were rebuilt and most of the
buildings, some of which have been remodeled are still in use today.
Lyons Drive History
The Lyons Drive, Franklin Heights area of Frankfort was a farm owned by the
Lyons Family. The farm supplied the food for the Southern Hotel during the
Great Depression. It was later developed by Greene Lyons into a
subdivision in which the main drive was named Lyons Drive. All of the
subsequent streets were named with the last names of Greene's closest friends.
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