Hopkinsville is losing its history, one building at a time.

The Blue Streak Printing Building is more than an old structure. Once known as The Rex Theatre, it's a symbol of Hopkinsville's past—a place where Hopkinsvillians watched some of the first movies made. Built in 1913, "The Rex featured thrillers, Westerns, and countless other silent films intended for a youthful audience" (Abernathy, 2025). Much like many of our downtown Hopkinsville mom and pop stores today, The Rex gave back to the community, offering "monthly free movie passes as an incentive for good grades for Christian County students as early as 1914!" Its walls are steeped in history, bearing witness to countless stories of joy, struggle, growth, and togetherness.

Despite its historical significance, the Blue Streak Printing Building currently faces the threat of demolition. This piece of our city's history could be lost forever, taking with it irreplaceable architecture and erasing a tangible link to our roots. Buildings like Blue Streak Printing enrich the community’s cultural fabric and boost local pride. Once demolished, an invaluable chapter of our history is forever closed. We have a responsibility to preserve these links to the past, not just for us, but for future generations.

We do not stand against progress, but we believe that preserving our history can coexist with modern development. Adaptive reuse of historic buildings is a proven method to maintain the aesthetic and historical integrity of a city, while also fulfilling contemporary needs. We ask that the city treat the Blue Streak Printing Building much like the L&N Train depot: allow a private investor to purchase and rehabilitate the building within historic guidelines. If the city follows its own blueprint for this type of purchase, taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for rehabilitation, asbestos abatement, demolition, or redevelopment as a parking lot. By saving the Blue Streak Printing Building, we can keep our town's history alive and foster a sense of shared identity and pride among our citizens.

Let's come together to urge the mayor and city council to recognize the significance of the Blue Streak Printing Building and take immediate action to protect and preserve it. There is still time to save this historic landmark, but we need your support to send a strong message.

Join us in our fight to keep Hopkinsville's history alive. Sign the petition to preserve the Blue Streak Printing Building today.

Source:

Abernethy, G. (2025, October 21). The Rex Theatre: A who’s who in Hopkinsville construction. Hoptown Chronicle. https://hoptownchronicle.org/the-rex-theatre-a-whos-who-in-hopkinsville-construction/