We Bet You Didn't Know This Small Town In Kentucky Has A Unique Claim To Fame
By Sarah McCosham|Published January 03, 2023
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Sarah McCosham
Author
I write like it's my job - because it is! I have a Master's in English and love words: crossword puzzles, Scrabble games, Wordle, and, of course, good, old-fashioned books.
I'm a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState, and a contributing writer at Cincinnati Magazine. I love the Great Outdoors and am endlessly awestruck by this beautiful country of ours. Coffee keeps me going, yoga keeps me sane, my kids keep me grounded, and my writing keeps me inspired.
History is alive and well here in the Bluegrass State, a place with a proud people and vibrant culture. And while our country’s 13 original colonies are touted for their age and historic clout, Kentucky has some pretty big claims to fame in this department, too. Kentucky entered the union in 1792 — just two states shy of being one of the original 13. Within our storied and historic state, Harrodsburg, a charming small town in Kentucky, has a very big claim to fame.
In the heart of Kentucky Horse Country, between Louisville and Lexington, there is a small town with a very big claim to fame.
With just over 9,000 residents, Harrodsburg is a charming small town that, at first glance, doesn't seem all that different from our state's numerous other small towns and villages.
Harrodsburg is beautiful and vibrant, full of local restaurants and long-standing businesses. It's a delightful place to visit and reside, earning numerous accolades over the years for its livability and charm.
What makes Harrodsburg truly, wholly, wonderfully unique, however, is its impressive historic resume. You see, Harrodsburg is the oldest city in Kentucky and also the oldest American settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains, earning the town the title “Birthplace of the West.”
Founded in 1774, by pioneer, solider, and explorer James Harrod, the entire town is wrought with the feeling and charm of centuries past. There's the eponymous Fort Harrod, a Kentucky State Park full-scale replica of the original fort built by the town's founder. The park complex also features the historic Mansion Museum, George Rogers Clark Federal Monument, Lincoln Marriage Temple, and oldest cemetery west of the Alleghenies.
There's Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Harrodsburg's very own living history museum that offers an abundance of opportunities for learning and adventure.
Within the town proper, you'll find the historic Beaumont Inn, a stately, century-old B&B that invites guests to relax in one of their beautiful guest rooms and enjoy delicious Southern cuisine. The main building dates back to 1845 and is the oldest family-owned inn in Kentucky, in fact!
It's not all buttoned-up history lessons here, however. The town has a thriving art and food scene, with numerous annual festivals folks look forward to year after year. Oktoberfest and the Christmas Parade are two such fetes.
Dating back to the very beginnings of our country, Harrodsburg is a place of immense history and significance, of course. It is a warm and welcoming small town in Kentucky with a big claim to fame, and even bigger heart and soul.
Did you know that Harrodsburg had such a rich history? We don’t like to brag here in the Bluegrass, but we’re very proud of this small town in Kentucky and its historic significance.
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