Even though the going has not been smooth so far for the Rails to Trails project, that doesn’t mean that expanding Lawrence County’s historic tourism options is a bad idea.

Tuesday, June 27, 2000

Even though the going has not been smooth so far for the Rails to Trails project, that doesn’t mean that expanding Lawrence County’s historic tourism options is a bad idea.

And it doesn’t mean Rails to Trails is ready for the scrap heap, either.

There is no question that one of the area’s biggest drawing cards is its historic appeal. There are beautiful old homes here and quite a bit of manufacturing history that could touch the nostalgia button of travelers in search of anything that reminds them of the good, old days.

With a little effort, some planning and some luck, Lawrence County and Ironton could capitalize on this boom travel market and create a "resort" area of sorts that would be a draw for history buffs.

And that could translate into more jobs and more money for this community.

Rails to Trails is a neat concept and one that would certainly benefit the county in many ways. So, it is worth pursuing, while protecting the rights of homeowners who have their lives interwoven with the properties they have had for years.

And while we are working that out, perhaps city leaders and other volunteers could start kicking around a few ways to increase tourism traffic in the area.

Who knows, the combination might be just what this county needs.