By Patti Nickel The Commonwealth of Kentucky is so associated with being the birthplace of bourbon, that it’s difficult to connect any other spirit to the Bluegrass State. Yet, it was just a decade after Elijah Craig was credited with distilling the first bourbon in 1789 that First Vineyards in Jessamine County was planted by…
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Lawrenceburg Summer Festivals
Written by Patti Nickel Lawrenceburg Summer Festivals It’s official – summer is upon us! That means days at the pool or the lake, baseball under the lights, backyard barbecues and drives down country lanes with the top down. It also means the start of the festival season, and Lawrenceburg is gearing up with three of…
The Ripy Mansion: The House that Bourbon Built
Ripy Mansion – the House that Bourbon Built Written by Patti Nickel When T.B. Ripy completed work on the five-story mansion on Lawrenceburg’s South Main Street in 1888, he was just a few years away from becoming the largest independent sour mash distiller in the world. As an up-and- coming whiskey baron, he needed a…
The “Five B’s” offer an authentic American experience
When it comes to traveling in the U.S., Disney World, Las Vegas and the Big Apple will always have their fans, but today’s travelers are increasingly seeking a more authentic experience. That means that other destinations which offer a slightly less frenetic slice of American life are gaining in popularity. Lawrenceburg, nestled in the rolling…
Mary Dowling, a true Bearcat of the bourbon industry.
Taken from “Those Pre-Pro Whiskey Men!” by Jack Sullivan Having for several years tried to find a female who played an important role as a “whiskey man” in America, I have at last come across an extraordinary woman. She is Mary Dowling of Anderson County, Kentucky. Not only did she own and run a major…
“Talk is Jericho” records live in the very creepy Anderson Hotel.
Jeff Waldridge is the caretaker of the haunted Anderson Hotel in Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, and he, Jericho, and AEW’s Dr. Luther recorded this episode live in the dark in the old hotel. Jeff shares the history of the hotel and the 13 verified deaths that took place within its walls. He details the paranormal activity that…
A Hollywood star, a Supreme Court case and a profound story of courage.
Since the origin of Black History Month in February, 1970, Americans have learned the inspiring stories of numerous people of color – stories that celebrated their courage, determination, intelligence, sacrifice and sheer pluck. Courage was a quality John Meaux possessed in abundance, and pluck was surely the word to describe the enslaved people, freed by…
Popular bourbon-focused podcast says, “Lawrenceburg is the place to be.”
The popular bourbon podcast, “This is My Bourbon Podcast” with over 313,000 subscribers came to Lawrenceburg at the end of the January for the Lawrenceburg Bourbon Company’s first release called the “One Cask Series”. The podcast comes from Lexington, Kentucky native Perry Ritter where he talks to bourbon lovers, folks in the industry and other…
SongFarmers part of an international musical movement.
Excerpt from the Anderson News. “The hills of Anderson County are alive with the sound of music. The music of guitars, banjos, voices, and the hum of cicadas on a summer night. The music of the SongFarmers. The SongFarmers of Anderson County meet on the third Monday of every month to play music, sing, and…
Jo Blackburn gets some love from Only in Your State
The locals call it the Tyrone Bridge in honor of the community that sits underneath it on the Kentucky River’s Edge. One of only two of its kind, it’s an engineering marvel and makes for a beautiful scenic stop on any road trip to the area. Read more about the bridge’s history here.