Ghost towns in Kentucky are something you don’t often hear much talk about. When those rare ghost town stories do pop up, the tales that are told tend to be woven around abandoned coal towns such as Blandville or Dryfork. These specks in history have either evolved into museums, inns or, sadly, cease to be remembered, except for making an appearance in the occasional local legend here and there. Among these crumbling wood or brick and mortar memories, one abandoned town in Kentucky stands out. Not just because it has a sad story, as they all have that. Instead, because all that remains is the occasional crumbled memorial, chunks of concrete disintegrated to gravel, the ancient cemetery, and a misleading name… Paradise, Kentucky.

Everyone has heard of Paradise.

Most people have their own version of Paradise too, and that is okay. Here in Kentucky, we will always have our own piece of Paradise, as it has been immortalized over the decades in both story and song.

The Stoms Home:

Paradise in Muhlenberg County was known as Stoms Landing in the early 1800s, primarily because a gent named Leonard Stom started a ferry there, transporting people along the river. At some point, the town was said to become Monteray, though no real concrete evidence has been documented to that effect. What was documented is that in 1852 a post office was established under the town name of Paradise. It stayed open until March of 1967.

Paradise, Main Street.

During those years, the area was often described as a lush, grassy paradise, with crystal clean water, good fishing and thriving plants and animals. Laying along the riverbanks, both kids and adults would stare off into the sky, imagining figures in the clouds. Under the moon, it became a romantic… paradise.

Paradise Landing Mail Boat:

John Prine wrote about Muhlenberg Counties being full of life, love and light until the end of the 1950s. His song, "Paradise" has been redone by the likes of John Denver, Dwight Yoakam, Tom T Hall, The Country Gentlemen and Lynn Anderson. All these celebrity singers praised the little town of Paradise in Muhlenberg County, and the tragedy that took it away. Paradise got creepy, and Prine attributed the demise of the community to the Peabody Company and strip mining in the area. However, the town did remain intact for a while after the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company drained the surrounding area of coal. Unfortunately, the quality of life for residents met with a rapid decline during that time.

Paradise aerial view with coal plant:

The Paradise Fossil Plants were built and started raining ash and debris down upon the remaining citizens of Paradise. The act didn’t go unnoticed, and the coal fired plants were deemed very controversial. Environmentalists in particular took issue with their methods.

The happy people of the old Paradise:

Concern arose for the health of the remaining residents of Paradise. Obviously having ash created during the factory process and pouring from the air like warm, toxic snow was not a positive influence on one's respiratory system. Most likely, to prevent an onslaught of environmental and residential poisoning lawsuits, the Tennessee Valley Authority stepped forward. TVA representatives convinced the remaining townsfolk to vacate and paid them minuscule amounts to abandon their once-happy lives in Paradise.

What remains of Paradise today that qualifies it as a creepy ghost town in Kentucky? Sadly, only a small cemetery still stands atop the hill, not far from the plant that was the beginning of the end.

The real tragedy here is the loss of such a special place in the Bluegrass State, and how it met its end. I cannot say for sure if Paradise was the paradise John Prine sang of, but he sure did make it sound convincing. Since Kentucky is known for its beauty, I’d imagine he sang the truth.

What do you know about Paradise, Kentucky, the most famous abandoned town in Kentucky? Are there any other abandoned places in Kentucky that you know of? Tell us your thoughts!

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You might not be able to visit Paradise, Kentucky, but there are lots of amazing places in the state you can actually visit. Start planning your next adventure to the best attractions in Kentucky by visiting Trusted Tours and Attractions.