Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect proper spelling of Garlin M. Conner’s name and Al Cross’s relationship with the documentary. 

A small community many believe was named for the nation’s founding — Seventy Six, Kentucky — is pulling together a big celebration for America’s 250th birthday this weekend, led by a WKU alumnus and his brother. 

Al Cross, the now-retired political journalist who was editor of the College Heights Herald when he was a student on the Hill, has been working with his brother, attorney David Cross of Albany, to stage the Spirit of 76 Celebration this Friday and Saturday in the rural Clinton County hamlet a few miles north of the Tennessee state line.

“What better way to celebrate the spirit of 76 than at the only place named Seventy Six in America,” David Cross said.

No one truly knows the exact reason for the community’s name; however, most speculation points to it referring to the year of America’s founding. 

John W. Semple first settled the land in 1806. When plots of the land were established in 1817, the land fell extremely close to the now-named Seventy Six Falls, the southernmost landmark of Cumberland Lake. Some believe the falls were named after their height and not after the town, despite the falls being 84 feet tall back then. 

While the town had a post office it never became incorporated, and the Semple family moved on to California and Illinois, where they made names for themselves in the world of politics. 

Now, over 220 years later, the community of Seventy Six, Kentucky, is celebrating its history with free concerts, a fireworks show, historical presentations, a 7.6-mile race, and a golf tournament all taking place from July 3-4 in the only place in Kentucky named Seventy Six. 

“It makes it an appropriate place to celebrate the nation’s 250 birthday.” Al Cross said. 

Al Cross is currently a Professor Emeritus at the University of Kentucky and the longest-serving political writer for the Courier Journal from 1989-2004. He began his long career in journalism, becoming a copy editor here at the College Heights Herald, eventually working up to Editor-in-Chief.  

Al Cross is credited as the executive producer of the documentary titled “From Honor to Medal: The Story of Garlin M. Conner,”. The film discusses the war hero Garlin M. Conner whose bravery on the field was overlooked by the United States government, but is now known as one of the most decorated soldiers in history. 

The documentary will be shown at the event as well, followed by a panel discussion. Other historical presentations include the history of Benjamin Franklin’s role in the Revolutionary War presented by Rodney Piercey Jr., the retired provost of Eastern Kentucky University, in full costume. 

The event, which cost around $100,000 to organize, was paid almost entirely with private funds. Less than 10% of the funding came from the government, with most of the money given directly by the community of Seventy Six, according to David Cross.

“That tells you how much they think of where they are from and how proud they are,” David Cross said.

Friday, July 3

• Noon: “The Importance of Place,” walking lecture by author Rudy Thomas, 76 Falls Recreation Area parking lot to Mount Union Christian Church lot, 0.4 miles 
• 1 p.m.: Golf tourney at 76 Falls Country Club (“Battle of 76,” shootout-style for 30) 
• 1-3 p.m. Wool spinning wheel demonstrations by Vickie Piercey May, Mount Union Chr. Ch.
•  1:30 p.m. “Benjamin Franklin: His Role in Our Independence,” by Rodney “Buzzy” Piercey, retired Eastern Kentucky University provost, at Mt. Union Chr. Church
• 2-3 p.m. Display and discussion of Native American artifacts by Terry Piercey 
• 3 p.m. Showing at Mount Union of From Honor to Medal, documentary about the heroism of Medal of Honor winner G. Murl Conner and the effort to get him the medal long after his death, followed by a panel discussion on Conner’s life, war, veterans and defense
• 6 p.m. CONCERT at 76 Falls golf course by Colton Bowlin, Albany native and rising country-music star; opening acts Thomas Osterricher and Kristen Hunter 

SATURDAY, JULY 4 

• 8-10 a.m. Veterans breakfast, VFW Hall, Hopkins St., Albany (free to vets, active military and reserve and spouses ONLY) 
• 8 a.m: 7.6-mile run from 76 Falls Recreation Area to Albany public square 
• 8:30 a.m. Tourney at 76 Falls Country Club, limited to 76 golfers  
• 9-10:30 a.m.: Clinton County High School Alumni Band performs on sqauare before and during race finish

Seventy Six Baptist Church Events:

• Quilt display, 10-5
• Tim Riddle Singers, 10:30-11 
• Cross Brothers and Ryan Thomas, 11:30-12:30
•  Albany Community Chorus, 1-1:30 
• History and families of the community, 3-5 p.m. 
• Sasser’s homemade ice cream, 3 p.m. until gone
•  5-7 p.m. Activities for children at golf course
• 5:30-8 p.m. (weather permitting) tethered rides in ReMax hot-air balloon, near course
• 6 p.m. CONCERT by Chris Knight, fronted by Emi Sunshine and Larry Cordle, at golf course  FIREWORKS SHOW at golf course after concert

Information taken from the event website.