Scranton, Ky

Scranton, Ky is a tiny community near the Long Bow area of Cave Run Lake. This building once served as the general store as well as the post office.

Sportsman Paradise

Sportsman's Paradise is one of several defunct bait and tackle stores near Cave Run Lake. It is located on 1274 beside the Bangor boat ramp, near the Rowan-Menifee county line.

Lions, Tigers and Graves OH MY!

The hubby and I took the youngsters to the Louisville Zoo this past summer. Thanks to my online acquaintance, Jeffery Scott Holland, I was ready for this little bit of weirdness. In the middle of the zoo, there is a really old cemetery! There are no individual headstones, just this single large stone bearing the names of those who were buried here. There is a marker nearby that reads:

"The American branch of the Phillips family began with Jenkin Phillips, born in 1744 in Loudon Co., Virginia. He fought with George Washington and helped survey what was then called Kentucky County for Patrick Henry and the Commonwealth of Virginia. For his services, Phillips was deeded 1,00 acres of land radiating out from this spot. At the time of his death in 1822, the family owned land extending from this area into southern Indiana."

Huge American Flag on Roof

Near the house with the airplane in the yard is this HUGE flag painted on a barn roof. The photo does not do justice to the size of this thing!

Abandoned in Little Rock, Ky

This tiny brick building is in an advanced state of decay, with a missing roof and rotted floors. When I got out to investigate, a cat jumped out and scared the bejeezus outta me! The size makes me think it may have been a post office, but the porch doesn't seem to fit that theory.

Little Rock Consolidated School

Little Rock is a small village in Bourbon county off of KY 537 near Paris. It was originally called Flat Rock, but that name was already taken by a town in Pulaski County. They renamed the community Little Rock, for all the limestone in the area. I found this old school, built in 1929. We stopped to admire the beautiful old building and thought to ourselves that it was in remarkably good shape for it's age. When I got to the other side of the building, I found out why. Someone is living there! What an awesome house this would make! Imagine all the room! Whoever lives there is doing a wonderful job preserving this piece of history.

This is an example of the many beautiful limestone rock fences in the area.

Judy Drive In Theater

There aren't many of these left! Drive ins used to be all over the place, but they are sadly falling to the wayside. My family and I visited the Judy last year for a double feature. Too bad I fell asleep before the first movie was over!

I thought these went INSIDE the grave?

I was out driving near Bethel when I spotted this thing at a cemetery... It was just sitting in the graveyard, nowhere near any particular plot. I thought these things went over the casket after it was placed in the ground. Why would this be out? Kinda creepy.

NR Crump General Merchandise

NR Crump General Merchandise sits beside US 60 near the Montgomery/Clark county border. I do not know much about it, so if you have any information, please contact me. I fear it will not last too much longer. The awning fell off a couple years ago, and there is a real estate sign in front of the building now, which means it will probably be torn down soon. I would love to get inside and check it out before that happens. It is locked up tight, but the windows are broken, revealing a ton of stuff left over from it's days in business. Boxes of cigarettes rest on the shelves, along with cans of motor oil and soda bottles. There are two benches in front that I can just imagine the old farmers around the area sitting on... and check out the old hand-operated water pump!






Adding a sense of melancholy is this tiny house beside the building. My guess is that the shopkeeper had a child that played here while the parents worked. I wish I had something like this as a kid! It must have been awesome when it was new. It even had a porch! Inside, there is a child's desk, chair and a baby doll cradle. The child who played with these toys is undoubtedly all grown up by now, leaving her playthings behind.

Mt. Sterling High School UPDATE!!!!

The old building is going to be renovated and made into a hospital for children! I am so happy this structure is not going to be torn down! Score one for preservation!

*UPDATE* Abandoned HIgh School to Get New Life!

I just read that the old Mt. Sterling High School is going to be renovated! The details have not yet been finalized, but I'll let you know when I find out more! I love it when old buildings get rescued instead of bulldozed. My hometown of Morehead could take a cue from Mt. Sterling, which does a wonderful job of preserving it's history!

Tiny Old Store?

Spotted on Highway 2 near Carter City. Looks to me like an old gas station.

Carter City Gingerbread House II

This lovely abandoned home is on the way to Carter City. It looks almost exactly like another one on the other end of town. They both have beautiful carved details on the porches. We were able to creep into this one and check out the bottom floor. There are two gorgeous fireplaces in each of the living rooms. It is truly a shame that homes this beautiful have been left to rot.

Carter Jamboree

This was spotted in Carter City, Carter County. Anybody know what the Carter Jamboree is? Whatever it was, it looks like it's over now.

An Airplane in the Yard!

My dad and I have a dream... To have a runway and be able to land airplanes at our house. I was out driving aimlessly (as usual) and ran across this farm in Montgomery County. The guy has a huge yard with a powered glider right next to his house! He even has a big bright windsock! He is living the dream! One day... this will be me!

Abandoned Grocery in Bethel

This long abandoned IGA grocery is in Bethel, Ky. It has some beautiful architectural details, but unfortunately looks very unstable. I do not think it will stand much longer.

Krossroads Diner

This little restaurant has been closed for a few years, but it used to operate as the Beachway Diner. It was owned by a man (whose name I unfortunately can not remember) who could cook like nobody's business! It was open 24 hours, and had some of the best breakfast you'd ever want! There was also a game room downstairs, which was popular with the local kids. It is located in Farmers, Ky at the corner of US 60 and 801.

Ruth Hunt Candy Company

On her Spring Break, I took my daughter to the Ruth Hunt Candy Company in Mt. Sterling for a tour of the factory. They are the makers of the amazingly delicious Blue Monday bars. In case you have never had the delight that is a Blue Monday, it is cream candy covered in chocolate. Our tour guide, Rachel, showed us around the building and told us how the candy is made. Junior, the cook, even lifted my girl up so she could look down into the big vats of chocolate. We got LOTS of samples and had a wonderful time! Everyone there was SO SWEET! No pun intended...

Machpelah Cemetery

Atop the hill on Locust Street, overlooking downtown, is the largest cemetery in Mt. Sterling, Machpelah. It is the final resting place of many civil war soldiers, the town's founders and contains many interesting markers and beautiful statues. Machpelah was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. The cemetery is divided by Locust Street, over which there is a wooden bridge. The bridge is sturdy, but doesn't sound like it when you are driving over!

Another Car on the Train to Nowhere

This old red caboose is located in Olive Hill, just off US 60. I believe it was part of the C & O rail.

What the Heck is This?

Across from the old brickyard is this mystery: A field of concrete pyramids. No one I have talked to seems to know what they are for or what they are doing there. Right in the middle of the pyramids is an old junk car... Perhaps a sacrifice to please the concrete spirit?

Olive Hill Brickyard

A long time ago, Olive Hill was thriving because of the brickyard that employed many of it's residents. It has been years since anyone worked here. Now, the brickyard is chain-fenced, padlocked, and deserted. The property is on the west end of town, below the bridge on US 60.