Happy 200th Birthday Edmonson County, Kentucky!
Continue reading to see how much we’ve packed into two hundred years of being the heart of Kentucky’s caveland region, the gateway to Mammoth Cave National Park, and the launching point for Nolin Lake activities. Efforts to preserve history, celebrate accomplishments, and embrace growth reiterate why Edmonson County is the natural place to be!
PUTTING EDMONSON COUNTY ON THE MAP
We start on January 12th, 1825, when Edmonson County was formed from land parcels of Grayson, Hart, and Warren counties and named in honor of Captain John “Jack” Edmonson (1764-1813), who perished in the Battle of Frenchtown during the War of 1812. Brownville was named the county seat, and its bustling small-town life has morphed throughout our two hundred years.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Paying homage to the valleys and rolling hills of cave country, a plethora of quirky community monikers have come and gone, though some linger, such as Pig, Chalybeate, Sunfish, Kyrock, Rocky Hill, Bee Spring, Jock, Sweeden, and Big Reedy. The swelling pride and infectious energy that radiates through each community is encouraging, bleeding over into a sense of pride for a county with such savory history and unique offerings.
Popular folklore states that Nolin River, which snakes through Edmonson County, was named when a group of hunters camped on a knoll near the river and a member of the hunting party, Benjamin Lynn, became lost. Legend says the party returned to the knoll where someone said, “Here is the knoll, but no Lynn!” although the lost hunter was later found safe and seeking refuge nearby.
NOTABLE HAPPENINGS THAT SHAPED EDMONSON COUNTY
The Kentucky Rock Asphalt Company, which inspired the town’s name, Kyrock, mined, processed, and shipped hundreds of tons of rock asphalt, and in the 1920’s was deemed Edmonson County’s largest local business. Operating for a total of forty years, the KRAC shuttered its doors due to the invention of a lower-cost method of paving. In 2014, the Kentucky Historical Society placed a historical marker in Kyrock to commemorate the rich history and contributions of the community.
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The busting community of Rocky Hill originated as a coal deposit for the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, but a fiery devastation hit the town in 1941 when flames rapidly overtook the tiny town, with most people choosing to move away rather than rebuild after the fire. Remnants of a few buildings from the old days of Rocky Hill still stand, one being the “Mansion at Rocky Hill” which originally served as a hospitality inn for those seeking passage on the L&N Railroad Line. Today “Rocky Hill Inn” is run as a nostalgic bed and breakfast and traditional tearoom all while the train still passes on the rails in front of the inn.
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The spring mineral waters in Chalybeate lured the attention of people seeking natural health benefits. Nearby Chameleon Springs boasted a health resort and hotel centered around the springs that were believed to offer five health-restoring minerals. The Chalybeate Springs Hotel offered lively entertainment for more than one hundred years before closing and it’s noted that Andrew Jackson was a frequent visitor after his presidency.
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Mammoth Cave National Park, designated the world’s longest-known cave system, was authorized to form by Congress in 1926 but not officially established until 1941. Named for the mammoth size of the cave’s chambers and avenues, the national park has an avid history with those seeking to journey into the depths of the dark and mysterious world that spans underneath the lush surface terrain. The following is a list of notables that shaped the grandiose and lure of Mammoth Cave National Park:
1925 – Floyd Collins becomes trapped in Sand Cave and perishes before being rescued.
1981 – Mammoth Cave National Park is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
1990 – Mammoth Cave Biosphere Region is designated an International Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO.
2021 – Mammoth Cave National Park is certified an International Dark Sky Park.
2022 – Six additional miles are discovered, bringing the total mapped and explored to 426 miles.
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Remembering those who served. All gave some. Some gave all. In 1941, County Judge Executive Pleas Sanders, a highly decorated WWI veteran, established a photo gallery of service men and women in the entry hall of the downtown courthouse. Members of the community would gather at the courthouse to pay homage to their loved ones, share correspondence or any news about the war, and have prayer for their safe keeping and return from war. On August 31, 2013, a formal dedication ceremony declared the hallway the Veterans Hall of Honor.
In 2014, the DAV and Auxiliary was approached about dedicating the Edmonson County courtyard outside of the courthouse as the Veterans Courtyard. The Wiley N. Willis Veterans Memorial Wall was built to recognize veterans and because the response for veteran names was so great, a second wall was needed to accommodate the additional names, thus the erection of the Victory Wall.
The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, under the direction of Commander Maurita Miller and Adjutant Perneila (Penny) Saltsman, elevated the honor of these men and women by adding more display cases and organizing photos according to war era, as well as adding authentic memorabilia.
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You can go to a sandy beach in Edmonson County! Nolin Lake State Park opened to the public in 1996 as a sprawling 5,795-acre lake created from the impoundment of the Nolin River and 333-acres loaded with approximately 9.2 miles of single-track trails for mountain biking and hiking, serene camping on the shoreline, exciting recreational programs, a vibrant nature center, and a seasonal beach for you to kick back and soak up the benefits of lounging in nature. The state park takes the three Rs of vacation seriously – relaxation, recreation, and rejuvenation!
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Brownsville was awarded Trail Town status in 2019, further connecting our adventurous side with the recreation trails of our natural terrain. The town of Brownsville is located right on the edge of Mammoth Cave National Park and in between the Nolin & Green Rivers. Paddling on both rivers offers spectacular views, wildlife sightings, and some of the most biodiverse waters in the nation. Mammoth Cave’s backcountry, and its miles of equine and hiking trails are Brownsville’s backyard, so whether it’s cowboy boots or hiking boots, we have a trail for you.
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Paddle our Green & Nolin Rivers Blueway, designed in 2021 as Kentucky’s first and only National Water Trail. Located predominantly within Mammoth Cave National Park and Edmonson County, including the Nolin Lake Tailwater, this navigable waterway spans 36 miles with 7 public access sites that offer camping, picnic shelters, public restrooms, wildlife observation, fishing, hiking, and information signage. With an astounding ecological significance, gentle waters, and an abundance of wildlife, a trip down the Blueway is good for the soul.
HUMBLE NOTES
It’s rare to find a country music star that truly stays humble as their star rises. It’s rarer to find one that still lives in the community that raised and shaped them. Let me tell you about Rye from Pig.
Rye Davis is a country music artist hailing from Pig, a quaint community in southern Edmonson County. He exudes a seamlessly blended sound of country roots and contemporary veracity, which makes his music as authentic as it gets. Rye’s rich, baritone voice with a masterful art of storytelling draws listeners into the heart of each song. A former pitcher turned musician after an injury cut short his baseball career, his life experiences and humble upbringing in the heart of southern Kentucky bring depth and realism to his music. Some even say he’s a beacon of hope for the return of real, down home county music.
Now it’s time to blow out the 200 candles on the Edmonson County birthday cake!
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Much of the history and lore in this written article have been taken from snippets from local historical experts, the Edmonson County Historical Society, Kentucky Historical Society historical markers, and internet research. There is so much history to note, and this by no means covers all the significance of the two hundred years that shaped Edmonson County, Kentucky.