Downtown – Pineville, Kentucky
Pineville, while being the county seat of Bell County, is a small town on the edge of Pine Mountain State Park.
The Bell County Courthouse has a pedimented entrance. The cornice returns reach towards the center, though do not meet to make space for a clock in the pediment.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival is an annual event that draws people to the area. The culmination is crowing the Mountain Laurel Queen.
The Bell National Bank had an insensitive modern storefront inserted into this handsome enframed block masonry building.
Another building with Romanesque detailing has had the cornice shortened or removed entirely. A modern storefront is inserted in the ground floor.
This panorama shows a block of two story buildings, some well cared for and occupied, while others are in needing of attention.
At the time of our visit the Bell Theater was awaiting renovation. Bell County Tourism would be a major contributor to the effort to reopen the theater in the years ahead.
The Masonic Temple facing the Courthouse has handsome stone detailing.
Much of the downtown and the natural backdrop can be seen from this street corner.
Visit in 2013
The Narrows Overlook was created and advocated for by Richard Davis Golden and the Bell County Historical Society. The site honors Dr. Thomas Walker who in April 1750 discovered and named the Cumberland River.
The panorama above shows the highway and Cumberland River passing through Pineville. At times of high water the flood gates are closed and access to the highway blocked.
Visit in 2014
A covered outdoor stage was added between two buildings. Seating made it into a venue for outdoor music.
Somewhat limiting the utility of this space, however, was placing it all behind a high metal fence that limited passive use.
A mural on the wall helped to soften an otherwise blank wall. The content of the mural was not altogether clear. It appears to have been a birdseye view of Pineville beneath an arched opening.