Kentucky is an interesting place with some unique forgotten facts, laws and history. One just has to do a little digging to find out some of the obscure things that do not get much attention. Back in the day, odd or unbelievable facts got more attention because word spread, but nowadays, unusual bits of news can be lost in the shuffle. When we do make national headlines, it is usually for something we’d prefer not to be known for. However, in the grand scheme of things, we are an overall good, yet unique people and state.
Here are some interesting facts about Kentucky that might surprise you:
- Honest Dick Tate
John McAfee In 1888, this Kentucky Treasurer embezzled $247,000 and then fled the state. That was a LOT of money for that time in our history. He was never found and the rest of his life is a mystery.
- Boy Scouts
Dave Before the Boy Scouts actually got their name, the first troop was organized by a women named Myra Greeno Bass in 1910. She organized 15 boys, teaching them how to hike and camp. Up until 2001, Murray was home to the Boy Scout Museum of America. It then relocated to Irving, Texas next door to the Boy Scouts of America Headquarters in 2002.
- Covered Bridges
cmh231fl Fleming County is recognized as the covered bridge capital of Kentucky. At one time, there were more than 400 covered bridges in the area, but now only 13 have been preserved.
- Middlesboro
Bell County It is not only located in a giant crater, but is also home to the “Coal House”, or Bell County Chamber of Commerce. It was built from 42 tons of bituminous coal.
- Offutt-Cole Tavern
Movato The tavern at the intersection of Old Frankfurt Pike and US 62 near Midway is where Zerelda James, the mother of Frank and Jesse James, was born.
- Bourbon for fuel
Phys.org A Kentucky man, Mickey Nilsson, created a motor car that runs on bourbon. Considering the amount of distilleries in the state, it would seem logical… were bourbon not 5 to 10 times the cost of gas a gallon. Unless that is, you drink the stuff that actually tastes like gas.
- Cruising couch
Kentucky.com Tim Francis of Lexington really liked his couch. So much so he affixed it and his coffee table to a golf cart frame and drives it around the neighborhood. It is unknown if his couch requires a yearly tag renewal.
- Pepsi for Pikeville
James Hill Pikeville seems to lead the nation in annual Pepsi sales. The NATION… ladies and gentlemen. That is a lot of Pepsi considering there are less than 7,000 residents.
- Plenty of waterways
Booma Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state. We have around 1,100 miles (1,770 km.) of waterways that can be navigated easily.
- Quilting queens and kings
Greg Williams The National Quilt Museum makes its home in Paducah and holds a national quilt show at the location every spring. Some of the most extravagant and memorable quilts and quilters in the U.S. pass through Paducah annually.
- Thunder Over Louisville
LuAnn Snawder This fireworks spectacular was designed as a kick start to the Kentucky Derby Festival and is now the largest fireworks display in the world.
- World Peace Bell
Albedo20 The World Peace Bell is the world’s largest free swinging bell, and it is located in Newport Kentucky.
- World’s largest hand blow stained glass window
Anthony Covington’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is home to the world’s largest hand blown glass window, which is an astounding 24’X67’. It is a beautiful rendition of the Council of Ephesus, including 134 life sized figures. The church itself is breathtaking with a total of 82 shimmering stained glass windows, aka works of art.
- Underground River records
Lost River Cave The Lost River Cave at 2818 Nashville Road in Bowling Green, includes both a cave with the shortest, and the deepest underground rivers in the entire world.
- 50% forests
Christina Ramey The land of Kentucky is 50% forested and we rank third in the U.S. at providing hard woods. Some of the types that grow here naturally are White Oak, Red Oak White Ash, Walnut, Hickory, Sugar Maple, Beech and Yellow Poplar.
These are just a few interesting facts about Kentucky that I found with a little research. Our state is rich with history and unique little odds and ends. I can easily get lost for hours just researching different aspects of the Bluegrass State. Do you have any knowledge of our history, or the state in general that you’d like to share?
John McAfee
In 1888, this Kentucky Treasurer embezzled $247,000 and then fled the state. That was a LOT of money for that time in our history. He was never found and the rest of his life is a mystery.
Dave
Before the Boy Scouts actually got their name, the first troop was organized by a women named Myra Greeno Bass in 1910. She organized 15 boys, teaching them how to hike and camp. Up until 2001, Murray was home to the Boy Scout Museum of America. It then relocated to Irving, Texas next door to the Boy Scouts of America Headquarters in 2002.
cmh231fl
Fleming County is recognized as the covered bridge capital of Kentucky. At one time, there were more than 400 covered bridges in the area, but now only 13 have been preserved.
Bell County
It is not only located in a giant crater, but is also home to the “Coal House”, or Bell County Chamber of Commerce. It was built from 42 tons of bituminous coal.
Movato
The tavern at the intersection of Old Frankfurt Pike and US 62 near Midway is where Zerelda James, the mother of Frank and Jesse James, was born.
Phys.org
A Kentucky man, Mickey Nilsson, created a motor car that runs on bourbon. Considering the amount of distilleries in the state, it would seem logical… were bourbon not 5 to 10 times the cost of gas a gallon. Unless that is, you drink the stuff that actually tastes like gas.
Kentucky.com
Tim Francis of Lexington really liked his couch. So much so he affixed it and his coffee table to a golf cart frame and drives it around the neighborhood. It is unknown if his couch requires a yearly tag renewal.
James Hill
Pikeville seems to lead the nation in annual Pepsi sales. The NATION… ladies and gentlemen. That is a lot of Pepsi considering there are less than 7,000 residents.
Booma
Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state. We have around 1,100 miles (1,770 km.) of waterways that can be navigated easily.
Greg Williams
The National Quilt Museum makes its home in Paducah and holds a national quilt show at the location every spring. Some of the most extravagant and memorable quilts and quilters in the U.S. pass through Paducah annually.
LuAnn Snawder
This fireworks spectacular was designed as a kick start to the Kentucky Derby Festival and is now the largest fireworks display in the world.
Albedo20
The World Peace Bell is the world’s largest free swinging bell, and it is located in Newport Kentucky.
Anthony
Covington’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is home to the world’s largest hand blown glass window, which is an astounding 24’X67’. It is a beautiful rendition of the Council of Ephesus, including 134 life sized figures. The church itself is breathtaking with a total of 82 shimmering stained glass windows, aka works of art.
Lost River Cave
The Lost River Cave at 2818 Nashville Road in Bowling Green, includes both a cave with the shortest, and the deepest underground rivers in the entire world.
Christina Ramey
The land of Kentucky is 50% forested and we rank third in the U.S. at providing hard woods. Some of the types that grow here naturally are White Oak, Red Oak White Ash, Walnut, Hickory, Sugar Maple, Beech and Yellow Poplar.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
