Boyle County

Welcome to beautiful Boyle County, Kentucky. This area is rich with its rural, small-town atmosphere and friendly people to make you feel right at home. Danville, known as the City of Firsts, is the location of Constitution Square, where our statehood was signed in 1792. History here dates to 1775 and there are more buildings on the national register in this community than in any other in Kentucky. Take extra time to pick up our walking-driving tour brochure to enhance your quilt tour. Danville is home to Pioneer Playhouse, the oldest outdoor dinner theatre in Kentucky, Centre College formed in 1819, and the McDowell House and Apothecary Shop where the first successful abdominal surgery in the world was performed in 1809.

Ten miles west of Danville is Perryville where Kentuckys bloodiest battle of the Civil War was fought. Over 7,600 men were wounded or killed near Perryville, and many of the homes, churches, and schools still standing in Perryville were used as hospitals after the battle. Merchants Row along the banks of the Chaplin River contains old commercial buildings and homes that remain just as they were in the 1840s, with restoration and preservation in progress.

Along the banks of the Rolling Fork River flowing through the Knoblands is the beautiful Forkland valley, where pioneers who arrived with James Harrod and Simon Kenton settled. Every October the descendants of these pioneers celebrate their heritage at the Forkland Heritage Festival, held in a former WPA school building. This building now contains the Abraham Lincoln Museum, created in honor of Nancy Hanks Lincolns mother, who lived in the area for over 30 years.

Casey County

Casey County was established in 1809 and is named for Colonel William Casey, an early Kentucky pioneer and great-grandfather of Samuel L. Clemens, better known as “Mark Twain.” Like many counties in Kentucky, Casey County grew from a wilderness outpost of settlers hoping to make a living off the land. Today Casey County’s south central Kentucky location places it within one of the fastest growing regions in the state outside the “Golden Triangle.”

Casey County is known for its unique topography—the “knobs,” its Amish and Mennonite communities, the Casey County Apple Festival and most recently the Central Kentucky Ag/Expo Center. These attributes make the county unique and draw interest from those who enjoy rural life within driving distance of emerging urban areas.

Garrard County

Follow the Heritage Corridor Quilt Trail to Garrard County — home of the Governor William Owsley House, Carry A. Nation’s birthplace, and numerous historic homes, buildings and sites. Famous pre-1800 churches include Paint Lick Presbyterian and Forks of The Dix River Baptist. Visitors enjoy viewing gravesites at the Lancaster Cemetery dating back to the American Revolutionary War. The Garrard County Historical Society offers tremendous genealogical services and resources to those who wish to adventure into their past.

Two historic venues are currently slated to open in 2010. The beautiful and majestic Lancaster Grand Theater will provide performances and entertainment for all of Central Kentucky. Uncle Tom’s Cabin will be replicated on the grounds of the Owsley House based on its description in the classic 1852 novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe and her storied visit to Garrard County.

Outdoor adventures abound in Garrard County. Main attractions include hiking throughout the three nature preserves along the 500 feet high Kentucky River Palisades and water sports at the six marinas on the 3,600 acre Herrington Lake. Golf enthusiasts will want to stay and play at the Pete Dye designed Peninsula Golf Resort. Enjoy equestrian events year-round at the Meadow Lake Equestrian Center and Ashley Inn.

The one-stop resource for a listing of annual fairs and festivals, Garrard County Arts Council events, concerts and all other community events is www.garrardcounty.ky.gov.

Over one hundred independent tourism related businesses and attractions dot Garrard and its county seat, Lancaster. These unique, one-of-a-kind venues include family owned restaurants, campgrounds, Bed and Breakfasts and retail stores complimenting numerous historical and adventure sites within Garrard County. Enjoy!

Jessamine County

Just south of Lexington, in the middle of manicured horse farm country, is Jessamine County anchored by two National Register communities—Nicholasville and Wilmore—and the Kentucky River with majestic 500 foot cliffs on either side.

Take a pontoon, tube or canoe ride to view the majestic limestone cliffs (Palisades) towering above the Kentucky River. The area features spectacular views of the steep cliffs and rugged canyons, created millions of years ago by the flow of the Kentucky River. Enjoy the views of the River, Palisades and High Bridge (once the world’s highest bridge) from Historic High Bridge Park where you can picnic atop a cliff and also learn about the river’s history in the museum. Visit the site of the nation’s first commercial vineyard, First Vineyard, where the original vines are still bearing fruit. Taste the good life at Chrisman Mill Vineyards, a unique family-owned and operated winery and vineyard that offers visitors a taste of premium award-winning wines made from Kentucky grown grapes

Stand in the midst of the nation’s military heritage at Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park, the nation’s only site of its type available for interpretation—a Union Army Supply Depot, Training and Enlistment Center, African American Refugee Camp and Hospital Facility. Next to the Park is Camp Nelson National Cemetery with grave sites from the Civil War to present day.

Visit all of Jessamine County’s unique museums and cherished landmarks such as the Hickman Creek Nature and Conference Center, Softball Hall of Fame, Valley View Ferry, Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge, Wilmore Railroad Museum, Keene Springs, Lockmaster Institute and the historic downtowns of Wilmore and Nicholasville. For more information visit www.destinationjessamine.com.

Lincoln County

Welcome to Lincoln County, Kentucky. This area is rich with Pioneer, Railroad, and Civil War history. As you travel the 3 Kentucky Scenic Byways-Hwy 78, 150, and 127 you will find rolling hills, beautiful knobs, and vast areas of farm land. Lincoln County is one of the original counties of Kentucky. Our records date 1779 and some are on sheepskin. Anyone researching genealogy must come to Stanford.

Stanford is the second oldest settlement in Kentucky. Our Main Street is filled with beautifully restored buildings and homes depicting various time periods of beautiful architecture. Stroll down the sidewalks along the “Wilderness Road” where the earliest settlers traveled to Logan’s Fort and beyond. Three history museums are located downtown: Historic L&N Depot, Willis Overland, and the old Presbyterian Meeting House (home of the Lincoln County Historical Society). Each museum exhibits a unique time in Lincoln County’s history.

The Crab Orchard area has many Amish and Mennonite farms. You will cross Cedar Creek Lake, ranked 30th in the nation for bass fishing by “Field and Stream Magazine”. The William Whitley House, the first brick house west of the Allegheny Mountains, was constructed in 1785. Whitley established the first round race track in America running counter clock wise.

Lincoln County’s rich heritage is revealed in its vast array of small communities. There are Swiss-German, English, Irish, and Scottish heritage throughout our county.