15 Reasons Why Kentucky Is The Most Underrated State In The US
By Jenn Shockley|Published November 22, 2015
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
A lot of people overlook Kentucky, making it one of the most underrated states in the U.S. Visitors come around for the Kentucky Derby, but during the rest of the year, not much draws people to our beautiful state. We have so much to offer from our beautiful forests to our gorgeous water ways. We also have a great deal of history nestled within our well forested borders. Frankly, people who underrate Kentucky just don’t know what they are missing.
Here are 15 reasons why the Bluegrass State is completely underrated:
We are likely home to the only town in the U.S. that has a dog for a Mayor. Rabbit Hash not only has a colorful name, but elected Lucy Lou as Mayor in 2008, and she was the first female mayor for the town. She was preceded by Goofy, the first canine mayor. She apparently is doing a fine job, as her people love her.
California might have found gold in their hills, but Kentucky is trusted with the storage of more than $6 billion worth of gold at Fort Knox. This is the largest stockpile of gold located anywhere in the world…and our state is trusted enough to protect it.
We make it…and everyone around the world that drinks tends to try it at least once. Not to mention it is also used for a barrage of recipes, including Kentucky’s signature Thoroughbred Pie and Bourbon Balls. It is also used for steaks, chicken and some seafood recipes.
Kentucky may not be home to as many presidents as other states…but President Abraham Lincoln, President of the Union, and President Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, were both born here. They were actually born less than 100 miles apart.
Thomas Edison introduced the world to light for the very first time at the 1883 Southern Exposition in Kentucky. He could have shown off this discovery anywhere, but Edison chose the Bluegrass State.
Cynthiana is the home of the company that makes Post-It Notes. These wonderful little colorful squares with a strip of sticky are often stuck everywhere from books, to the office, to class.
From Land Between the Lakes to the mighty Ohio River, Kentucky has more waterways than any other state in the U.S. They all have something to offer, be it serenity, fishing, camping, boating or water sports.
Though I almost hate to mention this, since it is the primary reason we achieve tourism yearly, it is the oldest, consistently running horse race in the United States. It is no secret that people travel around the world just to see a race that lasts under 30 seconds…and of course drink bourbon.
Old Louisville is the largest, most well preserved Victorian architectural city in the entire world. It is an incredible place to behold with its gargoyles, Masonic symbols, and castle-like buildings.
Cumberland Falls is home to the beautiful Moonbow, which is a true rarity in the U.S. The falls have the perfect environment to bless visitors with this incredible, and rare sight.
If you like fireworks, Kentucky has the biggest fireworks display in the world to kick off the Kentucky Derby. People come from all around to watch the sky light up with a vivid array of colors.
We have some of the most gorgeous forests in the U.S, from the massive Daniel Boone National Forest to the smaller Bernheim on the outskirts of Shepherdsville. Daniel Boone, his wife Rebecca and their son are all buried in the Bluegrass State.
Not only do we have National Forests, we also have an abundance of parks, such as Red River Gorge, that make fantastic camping spots. Visitors can stay in cabins, enjoy modern conveniences, or take to the woods and get in tune with nature.
We are home to Mammoth Cave, which is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the largest connecting cave system in the world. Not every state can lay claim to actually having a natural wonder recognized worldwide.
These are just a few reasons why Kentucky should be rated a little higher up on the state scale, and get the respect it actually deserves. There are countless other reasons why we should be holding our heads high and taking pride in our colorful history and current achievements. Kentucky is a beautiful state, filled with beautiful, good hearted people, and an amazing amount of history. What other reasons do you, my wonderful readers, think should bring Kentucky the recognition it deserves?
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