Posted in Kentucky December 21, 2016 by

The Little Town In Kentucky That Just Might Be The Most Unique Town In The World

Welcome to the town of Rabbit Hash, KY. This little town is located on the Ohio River, in between Louisville and Cincinnati. It only has about 315 people living there, but it has a unique charm unlike any other town you’ve ever visited. Oh yeah, and their mayor is a dog.

Rabbit Hash is located about an hour and 40 minutes from Louisville, and a little less than an hour from Cincinnati.
Google Maps
Rabbit Hash used to be named Carlton, but mail kept getting mixed up with the nearby town of Carrollton, so they changed their name to Rabbit Hash. The origin of the name is folklore, but the story says that back in the mid-1800s, the townspeople were discussing what they were going to serve for Christmas dinner, and one man said he would be serving rabbit hash. People started referring to him as Rabbit Hash as a nickname, and eventually the name stuck for the town. The name probably did derive from the fact that rabbits were hunted and used in meals, though. In the 19th century, the town was known for its delicious rabbit hash, and steamboats going by on the Ohio River would stop to eat some.
Get ready to step back in time. The Rabbit Hash Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The Historic District makes up 330 acres. The area is around 10021 and 10410 Lower River Road, and is comprised of 12 buildings, 6 structures, and 3 objects.
The Rabbit Hash Visitors Center is in a restored log cabin, and is run by the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The Visitors Center is operated entirely by volunteers. It is open most Saturday afternoons, or you can schedule an appointment to visit.
Their downtown may be small, but it is so much better than any other downtown you've ever visited.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The highlight of Rabbit Hash is its general store, which unfortunately burnt down in early 2016, but it's currently being restored.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Facebook/Rabbit Hash General Store Restoration Progress
The General Store has been open since 1831, and before the fire, it was considered the most well known and best preserved country store in the state. Though the damage done to it was devastating, people are working tirelessly to make the new building as close to the original as possible. You can follow their progress here.
Be sure to stop at some of the other historic shops in Rabbit Hash, like antique store Old, Odd & Otherwise (pictured below). There's also a barbecue joint called The Scalded Hog, and a winery called Verona Vineyards.
Flickr/Carolyn Sugg
You'll see some quirky old things as you explore.
Flickr/PunkToad
And some whimsical suggestions for visitors coming through the town.
Flickr/adam.
If you feel like staying the night, see if The Old Hashienda has any vacancies. This rustic inn can only sleep 4, but its wood-burning stove makes it extra cozy, and the porch swing overlooks the Ohio River.
Flickr/Stephen
Speaking of the river, you'll have gorgeous views of it from Rabbit Hash. The below photo shows the view of Rabbit Hash from across the river in Rising Sun, Indiana.
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
If you're there in the warmer months, get a soda from the General Store, or a barbecue sandwich from the Scalded Hog, and go sit by the river to watch boats pass.
Flickr/Stephen
Perhaps the best part about Rabbit Hash....their mayor is a dog.
Flickr/adam.
In 1998, the first elected mayor in Rabbit Hash was Goofy Borneman-Calhoun. However, in 2001, he died in office. He was 16 years old. Other mayors have been a black Labrador named Junior Cochran, a border collie named Lucy Lou, and the current mayor is a pit bull named Brynneth Pawltro.
You'll probably see pictures of the mayor when you visit, like this one of former mayor Lucy Lou. Who knows, you might even get to pet Mayor Brynneth next time you come through town.
Flickr/PunkToad
Rabbit Hash may be small, but it's a friendly town with a big personality. You'll definitely want to return to this laid back river town.
Flickr/Stephen

Looking at pictures of Rabbit Hash is no where near as amazing as actually visiting it, so definitely put it on your Kentucky bucket list. Has anyone visited Rabbit Hash before?