The First Ice Age Fossils Were Found In This Kentucky Park And You Can Visit Today
By Andrea Limke|Published August 22, 2019
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
We all know that Kentucky has been around for a very, very long time and there is evidence of this history all over the state. We tend to talk about the more recent history of Kentucky, but there’s a park that has plenty of evidence of life all the way back to the Ice Age. Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in Union is a unique and historic Kentucky park that is filled with fascinating pieces of the past. In fact, the first Ice Age fossils were found here and you can visit the park today to discover it all for yourself.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site in northern Kentucky was first established in 1960.
More recently, it's undergone some renovations of its museum and is a popular spot for camping, gatherings, and learning about the incredible history of this area.
Thanks to the abundance of minerals and saline water in the area, animals of all kinds found themselves living here back in the Ice Age.
There are tales of American Indians finding massive bones in the area back in the 1700s, and then in 1739, French Canadian explorer Charles LeMoyne also discovered the site. There are many other accounts throughout the 1700s of fossils being unearthed throughout what is now this historic park in Kentucky.
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A variety of animals once called this salt lick home, including bison, primitive horses, giant mammoths and mastodons, the massive stag-moose, and the ground sloth.
Kids especially will love a trip to this underrated Kentucky park, and parents will love that it has educational aspects, as well as a way to enjoy some fresh air.
Be sure to check out the museum in the Visitor's Center during your visit, where some of the fossils that have been discovered are on display.
The center has been wonderfully remodeled and features the rare findings from the area. You can learn all about the history of the site within this one-of-a-kind Visitor's Center.
Big Bone Lick is also known for its herd of bison, our only living mammalian link to the Ice Age.
You can take a short hike through the woods to the fenced-in field where the bison roam and graze. Take a seat on the benches and gaze out on these animals, imagining what life must have been like in Kentucky all the way back in the Ice Age.
Big Bone Lick State Historic Site is a historic Kentucky park that offers more than meets the eye. It has a fascinating history, evidence of the very early life in Kentucky, and fun-filled adventures that are awaiting you and your family. Have you spent time at Big Bone Lick? Did you know its incredible history? Let us know in the comments!
For more information on Big Bone Lick State Historic Site and its history, visit its website here.
Address: 3380 Beaver Road, Union, KY 41091
And for another place to visit if you love fossils, check out our previous article here.
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