Most People Don’t Know The Meaning Behind These 14 Kentucky Towns
What’s in a name? Well, if you’re talking about town names, it turns out there’s a whole lot of history! You see, back in the old days, people would name a town something simple, like Lick Skillet. Why? It was easy to remember and also functional — it described the town’s location or trades. Today, some of these town names seem downright strange through our 21st century perspective; that is, until you take a minute to discover the meaning behind the name. Today we’re digging into the history behind 14 tiny towns in Kentucky with unique names, and some of the stories might surprise you!
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The local grocery has a small, yet welcoming, gorilla monument that is the last iconic figure of the once-busy little community. There use to be the Ape Yard Baptist Church, Ape Yard Farm Supply, Ape Yard Chamber of Commerce, and the Ape Yard Insurance. It is located Laurel County near East Bernstadt. As far as the locals know, there was never even a petting zoo in the town that had monkeys. One jokingly said it referenced children behaving badly in the yard decades ago. It's a mystery to this day.
At first glance, one thinks this town was named by someone who couldn’t spell Juggernaut. It's actually quite the opposite. The old timers simplified this town’s name by naming it after the phrase uttered when one townie asked another if he wanted a “jug or not." It's kind of genius!
Kentucky's 221 West leading out of Pineville runs right through Kettle Island, which obviously isn’t an island. Locals aren’t sure how this tiny town got its name, but it is not hard to miss. It is easier to bypass then it is to see.
None of the current locals are sure who Lola actually was, but she was obviously a woman worth naming an entire town after. Some jest the town is named after a showgirl.
This little town in Carter County is said to be the actual home community of Roy Roger’s grandparents. This is possibly one the most known aspects of the community. As for the origin of Pactolus, townies aren’t even sure what it is, other than their town's name!
This town is an amusing mistake from another mistake. It is actually the spelling of an early landowner’s name, Rugals. Which, according to genealogy reports, was originally Ruggles. Talk about an autocorrect fail!
If you think this town is anything like the 1937 western film, “Terror in Tiny Town," you will be sorely disappointed. The most logical explanation is the name Tiny was given due to its diminutive size as one of Kentucky's smallest towns.
Decades ago, townies stood atop the hill and gazed down at the town. It was in that moment they determined it looked like a monkey’s eyebrow. It is unclear whether or not the town folk were drinking at the time.
This simple little community is located in the heart of Harlan, and there is actually nothing tacky about it. It is a traditional town filled with goodhearted people and magnificent views of Black Mountain.
The name could be self-explanatory, were it not for the fact possums waddle -- not trot. We suppose if they run, it could be seen as a sort of trot, or at least it was to the folks that named the town. One doesn’t see anywhere near the number of possums you’d think it takes to get a town named after a marsupial, however, making this moniker one of the most bizarre of the bunch.
This tiny town is the stuff of local lore and legends. It was written into a great rural trilogy in the vast libraries of television history. The Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, and Green Acres all make mention of Bugtussle, which is located near the Tennessee border in Monroe County.
This tiny little town has anywhere from 10 to 50 residents, depending on how you see the borders. It has a general store, and an adorable dog as a mayor. Tale has it that rabbit hash was a favorite of some of the original residents and it carried over to the town name. Nevertheless, it's one of the most charming tiny towns in Kentucky.
Now, everyone in Kentucky knows there were some good stories spun back in the day. So good, in fact, that some are still told today in our tiny towns, even those that don’t show up on Google Maps. Getting the details of something that was named a century or so ago can be a tedious process; nearly impossible to do. We have to depend on the oral stories being passed down from generation to generation. We personally love to listen to older folks tell a tale of yesteryear, including how a town got its name. Do you know about any towns in Kentucky with unique names? We’d love to hear about them, so share your thoughts in the comments section below!
And for more tiny towns in Kentucky worth exploring, be sure to check out these 13 little gems.
Address: 63 State Hwy 1376, East Bernstadt, KY 40729, USA
Address: Pulaski County, KY, USA
Address: Kettle Island, KY 40958, USA
Address: Gap Knob Rd, New Hope, KY, USA
Address: Lola, KY 42078, USA
Address: Rugless, KY 41179, USA
Address: Pactolus, KY 41143, USA
Address: Tiny Town, KY 42234, USA
Address: Monkeys Eyebrow, KY 42056, USA
Address: Tacky Town, KY 40988, USA
Address: Possum Trot, KY 42025, USA
Address: Rabbit Hash, KY 41091, USA
Address: Bugtussle, KY 42140, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
tiny towns in Kentucky
April 15, 2021
Sarah
What’s the tiniest town in Kentucky?
If the above list is any indication, Kentucky is home to some truly tiny towns. But the tiniest? That honor would go to Bandana, Kentucky, with a population of just over 200. Other tiny towns in Kentucky, in terms of population, are Wayland, Waverly, Virgie, and Trenton. If you’re wondering about the smallest county in Kentucky, head northeast to Roberston County, with a population of just over 2,000.
What are some historic towns in Kentucky?
As evidenced by the list above, Kentucky’s towns are filled with colorful history and character; many date back to the 1800s. Our state was one of the first areas settled west of the Appalachian Mountains, so we have quite a few historic towns. Harrodsburg is often considered the oldest city in Kentucky, and was made official in 1836. With a population of about 8,377, it’s considered one of Kentucky’s most charming small towns. (For what it’s worth, Boonesborough was also settled at about the same time, and there is a bit of an ongoing discussion as to which one was officially first.
What are some of Kentucky’s most charming tiny towns?
There’s no shortage of charming towns here in The Bluegrass State, each little locale bringing something special to the table. Rabbit Hash is downright delightful and makes for a perfect day trip. The town only has about 315 people living there, but it has a unique atmosphere unlike any other town you’ve ever visited. With its scenic beauty, iconic general store, and winsome (albeit, tiny), downtown, you’ll be enchanted by this charming Kentucky town. (And by the way, their mayor is a dog — so you should expect plenty of character in Rabbit Hash.
Address: 63 State Hwy 1376, East Bernstadt, KY 40729, USA
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.
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