Ky. Lawmaker Honored with Historical Marker

The first Kentucky lawmaker to head the state legislative ethics board who also served as House speaker in the 1960s will have a historical marker in his honor in Benton. Shelby McCallum was born in Tennessee in 1917 but he moved to Benton just before 1940. McCallum opened several theaters and founded WCBL in December 1954. He was a state representative in the ‘50s and ‘60s and presided over passing civil rights legislation. McCallum died in 1987. The ceremony for the marker honoring McCallum is today in Benton.