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Facts About Kentucky

On the following pages, you'll find a lot of fast, fun, and interesting facts about the wonderful state or Kentucky. Also check out Facts About Kentucky State Parks to learn more about the most fascinating state park system in the country.

Beautiful Lake Barkley

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Lake Barkley

While Kentucky Lake, understandably, gets a lot of attention and Lake Cumberland is known as the “Houseboat Capital of the World,” we Kentuckians are equally proud of all our Kentucky Lakes, including Lake Barkley.

Below are a few fast facts about this beautiful lake, so you can get to know it a little better. Of course, the best way to get to know Lake Barkley (or any of Kentucky’s Lakes) is to get out and there and see it for yourself.

  • Lake Barkley was created in 1966 by the damming of the Cumberland River.
  • Lake Barkley is the second-largest lake in Kentucky, second to Kentucky Lake.
  • Lake Barkley, together with Kentucky Lake to the west, surrounds/creates the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL).
  • During winter months, the average water temperature of Lake Barkley is 45 to 65. In summer months, the average water temperature is between 70 to 80 degrees.
  • Lake Barkley is 134 miles long with 1,004 miles of shoreline.
  • Lake Barkley is, as you’d imagine, a very popular destination for fishing. This lake is known for its bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, Kentucky bass and largemouth bass.
  • Lake Barkley is named in honor of the late Alben W. Barkley, the 35th vice president of the United States and senator. Barkley was a Paducah, Kentucky native.
  • Lake Barkley State Resort Park is beautifully set on Lake Barkley and the scenery can’t be topped.
  • Barkley Dam is 10,180ft long and 157ft high.
  • The state of Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state except Alaska.

 

Battle of Sacramento Reenactment and Events May 15-17, 2015

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Battle of Sacramento Reenactment
 

The Battle of Sacramento was one of the battles of the American Civil War fought here in Kentucky. The battle took place on December 28, 1861 in Sacramento.

The Confederate cavalry (led by Colonel Nathan Bedford Forrest) numbered between 200 and 300. Forrest’s troops attacked and defeated a Union force of 500 under Major Eli H. Murray.

Continued beneath the picture.

Battle of Sacramento Plaque
 

Each year, Sacramento puts on a Civil War Reenactment to end all Civil War Reenactments. Seriously, I believe they top themselves each year.

The festivities begin today (Friday May 15, 2015) and carry through Sunday. All the information you need can be found at the Battle of Sacramento’s Website.  Read about the history of the Battle of Sacramento, check out the schedule and events, look at the awesome photographs… but most importantly, get yourself to the beautiful little town of Sacramento and watch history come to life!

U.S. Highway 23, Better Known as Country Music Highway

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U.S. Highway 23, which runs through eastern Kentucky (from Greenup to Letcher County) is known as “Country Music Highway.”

The Kentucky Tourism Cabinet designated it Country Music Highway because of the impressive number of Country Music stars that have come from this region. More stars of Country Music have come from this one region than any other area of the United States.  Pretty impressive, right?

These stars include…

  • Loretta Lynn
  • Billy Ray Cyrus
  • Tom T. Hall
  • Naomi and Wynonna Judd
  • Keith Whitley
  • Ricky Skaggs
  • Patty Loveless
  • Crystal Gayle
  • Dwight Yokum
  • Hylo Brown
  • Gary Stewart

To learn more about Country Music Highway’s history, attractions, events, and stars, check out Country Music Highway.

Country Music Highway – Inside Music Row 1243:

The video below is from a few years back, but there’s still some pretty interesting information.

You May Be Able to Take the Kentuckian Out of Kentucky…

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Hancock County, Kentucky

Hancock County, Kentucky

Although I was born and raised in Kentucky (Madisonville, Ky to be exact) and have lived here most of my life, including now (Owensboro) – I have lived in a few other states over the years. I realized, right off the bat, that “outsiders” just don’t get it.

They don’t get a lot of things.

I’ll never forget the first time I tried to order “sweet tea” in Illinois. Hearing the accent, the server smiled and said she’d bring me an unsweet tea and a package of sugar.

I knew then that you were risking everything you held dear when you left the safe confines of the Bluegrass State.

At least the server in Illinois had a (weak as it was) solution.  In Kansas, they’d never heard of fried green tomatoes or fried okra, so a solution was out of the question.

Don’t even think of ordering grits in some states.  They’ll look at you like you have three heads – and not one of the three speaks their language.

They don’t “grill out” in a lot of other states either, they “barbecue.”

Barbecue. DO NOT tell a Kentuckian your “barbecuing” unless BBQ is actually involved.  You’ll just break their heart.

Oh! Speaking of “hearts,” they don’t bestow as many blessings on hearts elsewhere in the country. As Kentuckians we freely give out these blessings…

  • “Well, bless your heart…”
  • “Awww, bless her heart…”
  • “Oh! Bless his heart!”

I got an e-mail a few days ago telling me about an article published online called 30 Things No One Tells You About Leaving Kentucky. They said I might want to share it with my readers.

Bless their hearts.

(Continued below the picture…)

Trails Behind the Audubon Museum and Nature Center

John James Audubon State Park, Henderson

I got a big kick out of the list and identified with quite a few – especially these:

  1. The Wildcats will always be your home team.  Absolutely! We’ve worn UK tees and sweatshirts in Indiana (that was especially fun), Illinois, Iowa, Florida, and Kansas. They’re always your team and you’re always proud to let the whole world know it.
  2. You’ll long for lazy days at a Bluegrass Festival. Diet Coke in one hand while the other taps out a beat on your knee… good times!
  3. You’ll be asked to repeat things. Yep. Although, to be honest, I’m certain they understand us, they just want to hear it again.  If I had a dime for every time I’ve had to repeat “y’all” I’d be one rich Kentuckian.
  4. There’s not a more beautiful place to explore the outdoors.  TRUTH. If you travel much outside of the state, you’ll be struck (each time you return) by the vivid colors. The GREENs and BLUEs in Kentucky are simply more pronounced than just about anywhere else.  We have trees, hills, horse farms, and such beautiful wildlife and birds here. Truth be told, we’re pretty spoiled.
  5. There’s no nice like “Kentucky nice.” This is another one that you have to experience for yourself to realize just how true it is. Sure, there are pleasant and friendly people everywhere, but there’s just something different about a nice Kentuckian.  After experiencing the difference a few times, I nailed it… an especially nice Floridian, Iowan, Hoosier, Tennessean (insert any of the 49 others) will treat you like a friend.  The average Kentuckian treats you like you’re family.  That’s why we wave at strangers… they’re cousins, aunts, uncles…
  6. You never get used to unsweet tea.  No. Way. In. Heck.

I hope you’ll click through and see which of the 30 you identify with. It’s a really funny article and you’ll find yourself nodding in agreement more than once: 30 Things No One Tells You About Leaving Kentucky.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, there’s a tall glass of sweet tea with my name on it…

Sweet Tea

10 Fast Facts About John James Audubon State Park and the Audubon Museum

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Audubon Museum & Nature Center

  1. John James Audubon State Park was established on October 3, 1934. The Park includes 692 acres of breath-taking beauty. Since it’s a Heaven on Earth for birds, it only stands to reason that it’s also a Heaven on Earth for bird lovers.
  2. The park is located on a MAJOR bird migratory route, so bird lovers of all levels will enjoy an ever-changing, colorful variety of feathered park residents.
  3. A bird checklist is available in the beautiful Welcome Center. Over 160 birds are listed – which will give you some idea of the great number of birds that enjoy the park.
  4. The Audubon Museum and Nature Center (pictured above) is an absolutely gorgeous French chateau. Birds nest in the niches of the tower. The entire setting is like something out of a fairy tale.
  5. The Museum and guest cottages, by one of the park’s small lakes, were built in 1938. Cobbled courtyards, retaining walls, and park office buildings match the main building’s beautiful architecture.
  6. A life-size diorama in the museum shows one of the greatest artists of all time, John James Audubon, at work.
  7. Audubon family possessions in the museum include a silver service that Audubon bought for his wife, Lucy, to replace one they’d had to sell during a financially difficult time.
  8. There’s a large, circular viewing room in the Nature Center with big, beautiful plate glass windows for viewing birds at the many feeding stations. The Nature Center comprises three areas: a wildlife Observation Room, a Discovery Center with hands-on exhibits, and the Learning Center.
  9. There are nine trails of varying length at Audubon. Click here for a description of each trail.
  10. Not only can you fish for largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish from the banks of the 28-acre lake, you can even get free fishing gear to do so!

More Information:

Trails Behind the Audubon Museum and Nature Center

The trails at John James Audubon State Park are some of the most beautiful trails we’ve ever seen.

 

"When reading about a Kentucky event, please be sure you check the date. Old events are not always deleted from the website. If you have an event you'd like to see on Genuine Kentucky or a 'Made in Kentucky' food or product you'd like reviewed, please contact us! " ~ Joi ("Joy")

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