David Rotenstein
@davidrotenstein.bsky.social
Writer. Folklorist. Historian. https://blog.historian4hire.net/about/ | History is my hustle. Also @covertnky.com
Drinking did it!
November 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Drinking did it!
Is it a coincidence that the same part of Georgia that gave us Marjorie Taylor Greene also gave the world Howard Finster?
November 23, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Is it a coincidence that the same part of Georgia that gave us Marjorie Taylor Greene also gave the world Howard Finster?
The Grizzly Bear Dance craze created a huge scandal in Pittsburgh during 1912. Was because it originated in Black dance halls or was it because it was really the "hoochie koochie danced by the man and woman together." This illustration is from a St. Louis newspaper published in 1911.
November 22, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The Grizzly Bear Dance craze created a huge scandal in Pittsburgh during 1912. Was because it originated in Black dance halls or was it because it was really the "hoochie koochie danced by the man and woman together." This illustration is from a St. Louis newspaper published in 1911.
Folklore in the supermarket cold case!
November 21, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Folklore in the supermarket cold case!
Before a series of slumlords occupied this Covington, Kentucky, building (1980-2015) it housed a tavern with one of more than 160 slot machine licenses in the city in 1950. The slumlords and vice convergence put a nice bow on an article I just finished.
November 21, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Before a series of slumlords occupied this Covington, Kentucky, building (1980-2015) it housed a tavern with one of more than 160 slot machine licenses in the city in 1950. The slumlords and vice convergence put a nice bow on an article I just finished.
I know how we got here. I’d really like to understand why we allowed it to happen.
November 19, 2025 at 8:57 PM
I know how we got here. I’d really like to understand why we allowed it to happen.
The views never get old. Roebling suspension bridge spanning the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington.
November 19, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The views never get old. Roebling suspension bridge spanning the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Covington.
I am proud to live in a neighborhood with a corner bar that has a history corner featuring docs/pix describing a century of vice activities that took place there. Featured: a 2001 DEA report documenting a raid there. Named, a bartender named "Linda, LNU" (last name unknown) and oxy dealer Jeff. 🗃️
November 19, 2025 at 8:00 PM
I am proud to live in a neighborhood with a corner bar that has a history corner featuring docs/pix describing a century of vice activities that took place there. Featured: a 2001 DEA report documenting a raid there. Named, a bartender named "Linda, LNU" (last name unknown) and oxy dealer Jeff. 🗃️
Looks like this is gonna be my day. I wonder how many more of these until government leaders around the world will act on reliability, concentration, etc. Does it require a mass casualty episode to get anything at all?
November 18, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Looks like this is gonna be my day. I wonder how many more of these until government leaders around the world will act on reliability, concentration, etc. Does it require a mass casualty episode to get anything at all?
Here in Kentucky, folks don't simply butcher chickens, they "burcher" them!
November 17, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Here in Kentucky, folks don't simply butcher chickens, they "burcher" them!
This bar names its plants. Meet “Angela.”
November 16, 2025 at 12:38 AM
This bar names its plants. Meet “Angela.”
You can’t hide in the cat tree penthouse with ears like those!
November 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
You can’t hide in the cat tree penthouse with ears like those!
The next book I read is the new one by my friend Jan Kurth. “Tommy the Whiskey Swigging Duck” is a great title!
November 11, 2025 at 10:09 PM
The next book I read is the new one by my friend Jan Kurth. “Tommy the Whiskey Swigging Duck” is a great title!
Everyone's a critic.
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Everyone's a critic.
They told me about frantic leaps from couches to kitchens where babysitters scoured evening itineraries. I recently interviewed a man about the house where he grew up. When we got to talking about neighbors, he said, "A guy named Clarence owned it. He died in the Beverly Hills fire." 2/2
November 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
They told me about frantic leaps from couches to kitchens where babysitters scoured evening itineraries. I recently interviewed a man about the house where he grew up. When we got to talking about neighbors, he said, "A guy named Clarence owned it. He died in the Beverly Hills fire." 2/2
The Beverly Hills Supper Club burned to the ground May 28, 1977. Most of the victims packed inside the popular nightclub died in the fire or within hours. Others lingered for days & months. The final victim, No. 165, died 9 months later. I've met several folks whose parents were out that night. 1/2
November 11, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The Beverly Hills Supper Club burned to the ground May 28, 1977. Most of the victims packed inside the popular nightclub died in the fire or within hours. Others lingered for days & months. The final victim, No. 165, died 9 months later. I've met several folks whose parents were out that night. 1/2
We have plumbers working inside the house today. Crews, The World’s Bravest Cat™️ has achieved invisibility.
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
We have plumbers working inside the house today. Crews, The World’s Bravest Cat™️ has achieved invisibility.
Timely message seen 12 years ago in Atlanta.
November 11, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Timely message seen 12 years ago in Atlanta.
I’m reading Cory Doctorow’s terrific new book, “Enshittification.” It struck me that this toolkit I bought in 1994 to do minor computer repairs/upgrades is an artifact of the pre-Enshitocene era. I only use the screwdrivers now — for furniture assembly, etc. in my office.
November 9, 2025 at 6:49 PM
I’m reading Cory Doctorow’s terrific new book, “Enshittification.” It struck me that this toolkit I bought in 1994 to do minor computer repairs/upgrades is an artifact of the pre-Enshitocene era. I only use the screwdrivers now — for furniture assembly, etc. in my office.
Too bad Decatur's Reporterish only does journalism lite. The Oakhurst dog park story is a lot deeper than his little brain can absorb. Too bad for the people of #DecaturGa.
November 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Too bad Decatur's Reporterish only does journalism lite. The Oakhurst dog park story is a lot deeper than his little brain can absorb. Too bad for the people of #DecaturGa.
Last month I inadvertently interviewed a man who grew up in the Northern Ky. house we bought last summer. He dropped by today for another interview & he brought family photos from the 1950s. I dusted off my vernacular architecture fieldwork skills & dug right in. 🗃️ 1/2
November 7, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Last month I inadvertently interviewed a man who grew up in the Northern Ky. house we bought last summer. He dropped by today for another interview & he brought family photos from the 1950s. I dusted off my vernacular architecture fieldwork skills & dug right in. 🗃️ 1/2
There’s an affordable housing org here called Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky (acronym: HONK). My brain is so polluted that during an interview this afternoon, I kept flashing on the Peaches & Daddy saga. www.pghcitypaper.com/arts-enterta...
November 6, 2025 at 10:06 PM
There’s an affordable housing org here called Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky (acronym: HONK). My brain is so polluted that during an interview this afternoon, I kept flashing on the Peaches & Daddy saga. www.pghcitypaper.com/arts-enterta...
Yep Donnie, gas prices really are trending toward $2/gallon. That IV that's been bruising your hand must have some good shit flowing through it.
November 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Yep Donnie, gas prices really are trending toward $2/gallon. That IV that's been bruising your hand must have some good shit flowing through it.
This 1950 gem is quickly becoming my favorite new-old book!
October 29, 2025 at 10:54 AM
This 1950 gem is quickly becoming my favorite new-old book!