Time Line

In 1934, Mr. Buckner Hinkle began managing his Mother's 167-acre farm, continuing through 1942. Realizing farming did not generate a lot of revenue, Mr. Hinkle felt he needed to explore other career options.

Horse farms in the Paris area need hay, not readly available in Kentucky. Understanding Paris, Kentucky was the "Bluegrass Seed Capital of the World", Mr. Hinkle began to strip grass seed and import hay, selling to local horse farms in addition to managing farm activities.

In 1940, Mr. Hinkle approached a man with a bulldozer asking him if he could construct a farm pond. Mr. Hinkle paid the individual $119 per day. Realizing an individual could make a good income constructing ponds and completing general construction projects in and around the Paris area, Mr. Hinkle purchased a bulldozer and begin working in the construction field. The rest is history!

The following time line defines important moments in the 65 years of Hinkle Contracting:

1942 - Mr. Buckner Hinkle founded Hinkle Contracting Corporation, initially named Buckner Hinkle and Company. During the years of war, the company worked on defense projects. Construction activities included eroision control, grading and seeding in Eastern Kentucky.

1945 - World War II ends. Hinkle Contracting enters into highway construction.

1948 - The Company acquires first bituminous hot-mix plant.

1950's (late) - The Company acquires first limestone quarry and moves to present location in Paris, Kentucky.

1963 - The Company aquires half interest in Bourbon Limestone Corporation, becoming a joint owner with the Walker Construction Company of Mt. Sterling, Kentucky.

1964 - Hinkle Contracting Corporation and Walker Construction Company pave a thirteen mile section of the Bluegrass Parkway.

1972 - Hinkle Contracting Corporation moves into its new office building in Paris, Kentucky. Hinkle Contracting Corporation and Codell Construction Company of Winchester, Kentucky form joint venture with a Guatemalan partner, paving the Guatemala City Airport.

1970's (late) - Hinkle Contracting Corporation paves the San Salvador Airport in El Salvador.

1980's - Hinkle Contracting Corporation, in a joint effort with East Kentucky Paving Company, paves a 40 mile section of Kentucky Highway 80 between Hazard and Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Hinkle is involved in the first large scale paving project in Kentucky using sandstone.

1982 - Mr. Buckner Hinkle's middle son, Henry Hinkle, assumes the responsibility of President of Hinkle Contracting Corporation.

1980"s (mid) - Hinkle Contracting Corporation is involved in the re-construction of a section of Interstate I-71 between Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. This project award was approximately 10 million dollars, being Hinkle's largest project of its history during this period.

1986 - Hinkle Contracting Corporation and Walker Construction Company crush approximately 4 million tons of stone during a 6 month period for the Toyota Manufacturing facility located in Georgetown, Kentucky.

1990 through 2002 - Hinkle Contracting Corporation acquires Bassett Stone Company in Monticello, Kentucky.

Nally and Gibson Corporation, Jack Ruth and Hinkle Contracting form a partnership known as Hamilton, Hinkle and Ruth, located in Georgetown, Kentucky, paving in the Scott County, Kentucky area.

Hinkle Contracting improves Paris Pike from 2 to 4 lanes between Lexington and Paris, Kentucky.

Hinkle Contracting Corporation rebuilds I-62 from Cynthiana to Georgetown, Kentucky and improves I-27 to six lanes in Somerset, Kentucky.

Hinkle Block and Masonry Plant in Somerset, Kentucky produces 10,000 blocks per day.

Hinkle Contracting Corporation purchases an asphalt plant in South Carolina, employing 50 indivduals in the area.

Present - Hinkle Contracting operates approximately 15 asphalt plants, 8 quarries, concrete, environmental, railroad and construction divisions employing over 850 individuals.