Justin Keeling

Hunka hunka history buff Justin Keeling, 25, repairs rail cars at P&L Railroads and reenacts historical events every chance he gets! Read why history is so important to this fourth-generation Paducahan!

Justin Keeling, you are cute, cute, cute, no doubt about it! When you're in all those period war uniforms, you must make the Southern Belles swoon!
Why, I do the best I can. I slick my hair back, tip my hat to the right and say, "Is that your hair, or did you scalp an angel?"

Wow. That works?
Just kidding! I do get dressed to the nines for the Civil War period balls we have during the re-enactment events. I usually play percussion in the band. And I've got a few favorite dances that I will get on the floor for.

You're a fourth-generation Paducahan! Your people were among the early settlers of Paducah?
I have only gone back four generations on my mother's side of the family, and five on my father's side in my genealogy research. My great-great grandmother on my dad's side was Maw Brewer. She was the madam of a brothel in Paducah, and was married to an Irishman. How's that for interesting background for what is now a fairly conservative family?

That's quite a colorful lineage! So you graduated from Reidland High School. What did you do afterward?
I joined the carpenters' local union and worked as a commercial/industrial carpenter. The first job I ever worked on was the Carson Center. I graduated from the apprenticeship with an associate's of applied science in construction management.

Right on! The Carson Center is celebrating its 5th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, March 28. You should go!
I might just make that. A friend of mine is a manager there.

What are you doing for work now?
I work for P&L Railroad, where I am a car man. I inspect and repair rail cars.

How cool! Did you grow up around model trains?
I was fascinated with trains growing up. Along with being a fourth-generation Paducahan, I'm also a fourth-generation railroader.

What's the most challenging part?
Knowing every part on a rail car, whether it's bolted, screwed, welded, glued or riveted to something. And picking out what's wrong with it and how to fix it.

That sounds like your entire job!
I also connect all the brake hoses on out-bound trains (lacing up a train), and do brake tests before they leave to go wherever they are headed. Lots and lots of walking up and down beside the trains.

How did you get interested in war re-enactments?
Well, I've always enjoyed camping — I'm an Eagle Scout, too, by the way. And I have always liked history. A distant cousin of mine from Tennessee recognized how much I enjoyed history and asked me to come along for an event. That was nine years ago, and I've been doing them ever since.

What role do you usually play?
I generally play the role of a Confederate captain, doing the job of a battalion adjutant — which is a secretary. We swap roles and sides, so I play Union roles, too. We do what we do in an attempt to preserve and teach history, first and foremost.

Where do you all perform?
All over the nation. We were in Gettysburg last July. I've also performed in Charleston, S.C. We'll be doing a re-enactment at Shiloh in April. Just all over.

You live in the late Louise Randall's home on 6th Street, which is filled with Civil War artifacts. That must be so interesting to you!
Yes, it's like living in a small museum. Miss Louise was my instructor in sewing before she passed. I got very good at sewing, knitting and embroidery — specifically for making reenacting gear.

You make your re-enactment uniforms?
Yes. It takes a man secure in himself to sit down during down-time at a railroad and work on hand top stitching a 19th century civilian vest.

Hah! I guess so! Speaking of a man secure in himself, tell us about your love life! What kind of gal are you looking for?
Someone who likes music and possibly plays an instrument. Open-minded and smart. I cannot handle hearing, "History is in the past. I don't see how it affects me." It makes me wince when I hear it.

Why?
History is why we are who we are. Everything we say, every word we speak, has a history. History tells us where we came from, and I mean culturally. It reminds us of the mistakes we made in the past, and gives us a direction to go for the future.

We are living in history — 100 years from now our great-great grandchildren will not know our names or what we looked like. But they will live in the world as we left it behind. I only hope they don't look at our lives and think, "I don't see how what they did affects us."

Is it super hard to find folks in this area?
For me it is. I'm a little out of the ordinary. I stay emerged in historical studies and folk music. It takes a certain personality — it's not just found anywhere.

What's your idea of a great date?
A good jam in someone's living room, relaxing on the couches at Jeremiah's or dancing at a Bawn in the Mash show.

What do you like to do when you're not working?
I like going to concerts. I really enjoy seeing local artists and other live shows. Going to re-enactments and woodworking are what I consider my art. I like to build furniture and cabinetry.

Have you found a favorite non-profit here or favorite cause to support?
I am involved in the Boy Scouts, and I'm a volunteer emergency responder for the Marshall Co. Rescue Squad & D.E.S.

You must have been super helpful during the ice storm!
Yes, we were out on rescue calls for around two weeks, sun up till sun down. Mainly cutting trees to clear road ways so people with no power could get to warm places. Some of it was using our four-wheel drive vehicles and chain saws to hack our way to 911 medical calls that ambulances couldn't get to.

Cute, cute, cute Justin Keeling, you're our hero!

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