Raise your hand if you’ve ever seen the name of a town on a sign and detoured from your route to find that place with the evocative name – yes, both of my hands would be in the air if I weren’t utilizing them to type. How can one not investigate the potential treasures of a place named Beulah? My instincts proved accurate as I crested a hill and the simple lines of a two-story frame building came into view – the circa 1908 Beulah Lodge.
The sign was leaning, but it didn’t lead me astray.
In the late 19th century, it was common to find fraternal/social organizations and churches (or sometimes a store) sharing the same building in rural Kentucky, which is the case in Beulah. Lodge #609 F & AM (Free and Accepted Masons) constructed the building and used the second floor, while a variety of church congregations made their home on the first floor of the building.
The Beulah Lodge was built in 1908.
The curse of vinyl siding has obliterated some of the character of the front gable building – the second story windows that would have afforded Lodge members both ventilation and daylight have been wrapped over, an act I find most foul and sad.
I don’t know if the Lodge is still active or not.
The lodge sits in the middle of a cemetery that is known variously as the “Beulah Cemetery” or the “New Beulah Cemetery” depending on what wooden sign you consult on the grounds. I hope it isn’t as confusing for those who seek their rest in this admittedly peaceful spot.
Beulah Lodge, circa 1988. Photograph by Phil Thomason, NRHP files.
The town of Beulah, before the construction of the lodge, was known as Pulltite. Perhaps community members found Beulah (according to several sources, the meaning of the name Beulah in Hebrew is “married”) more lyrical?
Beulah, as shown on the 1954 Coiltown, KY USGS quadrangle map.
Despite never having a post office, the town of Beulah, placed at the intersection of Kentucky Route 109 and 70, boasted a number of homes, at least one store, and two churches.
One of Beulah’s buildings that appears to be a former store converted into a residence.
The sun had not been in the sky very long when I traipsed into Beulah, and my early wanderings meant I encountered only some easily startled chickens in Beulah.
Façade of the former store – a space I can imagine being the site of many tall tales and stories over the years.
The Lodge and the former store would have supplied much of the social activity in Beulah in the early 20th century, along with other area churches and the rural schools close to this crossroads community. Now the only constant in many rural Kentucky communities is the presence of the ubiquitous Dollar General, and a gas station/convenience store. The shrinking of our rural communities makes me wonder if even their days as a notation on a map is threatened – for how many people actually use paper maps these days? But as long as I am out and exploring Kentucky, I will – with my paper map in hand – take the detour to find some almost forgotten places.
Agree with the vinyl siding………..Dad purchased probably the first siding made and put it on the house………..vilely ugly………..I was delighted when David removed it…………..
Love the name Pulltite. That’s a new one for me! Vinyl siding is a curse!
Thank you for this post. I grew up in Madisonville nearly 80 years ago. I recall Beulah, called “pultight” by the locals. People like you are too few. The non interstate roads provide a lot of history. Your posting reminded me of Steinbecks “travels with Charlie “
The church was built by a man named Enoch Sisk. He also build the Silent Run Church building about the same time. I’m not sure, but I think most Masonic lodges do not have windows on purpose.
I’ve lived in this community all my 78 years of life. The Lodge building was a General Baptist church/ lodge. The cemetery is known as New Beulah cemetery because there is an Old Beulah Cemetery about 5 miles West on Hwy. 70. My mother was a member of that church until they built the brick church down at the intersection of 109 and 70. At one time there was 4-5 grocery stores and the block building at the intersection was Beulah Cafe, it was a jumping little spot when I was growing up.
I loved eating at the Beulah Cafe, which I think was the Crossroads Cafe in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Mary, who ran it, was an Angel in disguise! It was a place where you wanted to be sure you got there at lunch time. Mary would feed you any time! Miss her and people like her! She was for sure a diamond and there were a zillion stars in her crown!
I was borned in 1945. I went to that little church from that time til 1964 or 65. I got married in the old church in July 1964. After that the new church was built in the corner of highway 109 and 70. Pleasant Union General Baptist Church. Lots of great memories in that little church.
There is another place of historic note to me in Beulah which was Beards Grocery Store which is down from the intersection of Beulah. As a child, I have fond memories of the grocery store which was owned by aunt and uncle Jake and Vada Beard.
Thank you for another fascinating article. I so agree with you on vinyl siding. I watched and wept as the front gable of wooden fish scale cedar shingles on the house across the street was covered with ugly vinyl siding a few years back.
GPS is a tool in the tool box but give me a paper map any time! I want to be able to “see” where I’m going! The whole route! I still have my laminated “Trucker’s Atlas” and paper maps of most of the lower 48 states. I don’t think much of vinyl siding either….guess I’m part of that bunch of “old fogies” that isn’t ready for new fangled stuff…