Dining Along the Ohio River...Maysville Kentucky

...continuing with our October road across parts of 8 states.  At the end of our day exploring and photographing Maysville Kentucky, it was time for dinner.  We chose a restaurant that is next to and has clear views of the Ohio River.  With the flood walls in the downtown area, such clear view options are truly limited.

This is Caproni's on the River in Maysville.  Caproni's started in the 1930s as a sandwich shop catering to railroad workers.  In 1945, the family purchased this restaurant and they operated it for many years.  Located at the base of Rosemary Clooney Street, it offers a clear view of the Ohio River...and the occasional train that roars past.  In the early years, the railroad station and its workers and passengers provided a major source of patrons.  As time passed, 'railroad customers' had faded, so the decision was made to remodel the building with a wall of windows facing the river, thereby providing a pleasant vista for most of the restaurant's diners.  The Caproni family ran the restaurant until 1990.

Following the Caproni family's departure, a number of different owners tried to run the business. Finally, in 1999, a well known caterer and Maysville native purchased the restaurant.  After extensive remodeling, Caproni's reopened in December of 2000.

We arrived early for dinner.  We didn't have any reservations so early was better.  This early in the evening there wasn't much going on in Caproni's attractive bar area.

This dining room at Caproni's is furthest from that wall of windows looking over the Ohio River...but it does provide a home for that baby grand piano.  The windows are at the left in the photo, across the aisle and 2 spacious rows of tables.

Of course the tables by the window that overlook the river are the most desired tables.  They were all reserved...but this is the view from our table, not too bad for no reservations!  By the time we were about half way through our dinner, all the window tables were occupied.  

So who are these folks?  This is 90 year old Nick Clooney with his wife Nina.  They are George Clooney's parents and they live just down the road from Maysville in Augusta Kentucky.  When they dine at Caproni's they reserve the corner table by the windows...and they are sometimes joined by their famous son and his wife, Amal.  No such luck for Laurie and I on this occasion!

At least 3 Kentucky Governors have dined at Caproni's, as has Hillary Clinton.  While not a reason to have a meal here, it does show that the food and service are for real...as celebrities and dignitaries don't break bread in average restaurants.

I do love water views in restaurants and bars...and I especially like watching lake, or in this case, river traffic.  This big Marathon Oil barges and their towboat/pusher, (aptly named 'Marathon'), cruised by just before we started eating.  The "Marathon" towboat was added to the fleet ca. 2011 and it is 144 feet long and it produces 4,000 HP.

FYI, the Marathon Petroleum Marine Transportation fleet consists of 23 towboats/pushers and 256 barges as well as ocean going vessels.

Back to our dining experience at Caproni's.  We just 'had to' start out with an adult beverage after a challenging day of sightseeing and shopping.  Laurie spotted something different that she wanted to try... 

This was her Blackberry Old Fashioned. ($11.00) It was made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, blackberry puree and orange bitters.  It was very attractive and she really enjoyed it.  I did get one blackberry!

Yes, even yours truly decided to imbibe.  After all, this was a 'vacation', at least from our normal retired life in the paradise that is East Tennessee.  I didn't get crazy though, sticking with a mild Belgian White from Blue Moon. ($4.00)

In addition to Caproni's regular menu, there were some daily specials.  I've never heard of Italian egg rolls before... The $75.00 King Cut Prime Rib was a bit too steep for my wallet...although I was tempted by the Sicilian Swordfish.  

With Laurie's continued weight loss and less appetite, we skipped the list of appetizers.  In any case, all entrees at Caproni's come with the House Salad and fresh baked rolls.  The salad was very fresh and enjoyable and the bread was warm...more importantly, it came with soft butter.

For my entree, I chose one of the items listed as Traditional Favorites.  This was my Chicken Scallopini. ($21.00) I had a choice of sauces for my angel hair pasta.  They include parmesan, marsala and piccata.  I opted for the latter.  My dinner's presentation was quite appealing and I really enjoyed my meal!

I did appreciate the fact that one doesn't have to go broke dining at Caproni's.  While it would be easy to spend $100.00 or more per person depending on drinks, appetizers, the entree and a possible dessert, travelers or locals watching their budget can enjoy the ambiance and the quality of the food without pause.  For example, a catfish platter is available for $17.00 and a Kentucky Hot Brown open face sandwich cost only $16.00. 

Laurie has become more demanding as her appetite and her capacity for large amounts of food has shrunk.  So, whenever possible she looks for items on menus that she regards as a real taste treat.  Mushrooms are high on her list.  So, for her entree she ordered the Portobello Ravioli. ($18.00) Cheese ravioli provided the base for sauteed portobello mushrooms.  The dish was finished with a lemon sage butter.  Happy Wife!!!

We did decide to share one of Caproni's dessert offerings.  This was a slab of Kentucky Butter Cake. ($9.00) "Unfortunately", I ended up having to eat most of this sweet treat...

To summarize... The ambiance at Caproni's is enhanced by the Ohio River flowing by but the dining rooms are nicely appointed as well.  Our server, Tonia, was friendly as well as very accommodating and patient.  The food was 'on point' too, very nice indeed.  This was a very satisfying and comfortable dining experience.

We'd recommend this restaurant to our friends and family.  To learn more about Caproni's on the River and to view their menu, just go to https://www.capronisontheriver.com/.  

I know...these photos have nothing to do with our dining experience.  Nevertheless, this is a beautiful 'ride' and a guy can dream can't he?  Laurie had to spoil my reverie by pointing out that I probably wouldn't be able to get in and out of this classic Corvette...

I thought that I should end our exploration of Maysville Kentucky with this photo I borrowed from the Internet.  Several of the historic properties I've photographed and written about are visible and this overview demonstrates the appeal of this Ohio River city.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for coming by to see what we had for dinner! 

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Maysville Kentucky - Continued

Continuing with our October road trip with more sights and history from Maysville Kentucky.  This city is loaded with historic structure and my camera was at the ready as we wandered...or shopped...through town.

This is the Russell Theater.  Located at 9 East 3rd Street, it was completed by Col. J. Russell Barbour in 1930.  Construction costs totaled $125,000 and the first movie shown was "Whoopee!" starring Eddie Cantor.  The site occupied by the theater was previously home for wholesale grocery warehousing.  The exterior architectural style is Spanish-Moorish Revival.  Constructed as a movie theater, Col. Russell did provide dressing rooms for live performers as well as an orchestra pit.  

In 1935 another company took over the theater.  In 1953, the Russell Theater was the site of the world premier of "The Stars Are Singing", starring Rosemary Clooney.  In the early 1970s another group took over the theater and they operated it until 1983.  For a number of years it served as a restaurant, a used furniture store and a used clothing store before it closed.  After it was abandoned, high winds ripped off a section of the roof.  Since repairs weren't immediate the interior plaster work was extensively damaged.  Restoration is underway, tours are offered and the theater is open for movies on weekends from May through October.

Note: Rosemary Clooney was raised in nearby Augusta Kentucky and her nephew George Clooney grew up there.  A mural of Rosemary Clooney is featured on Maysville's flood wall.

This is a miniature model of what the interior of the Russell Theater looked like originally.  It was what was termed as an 'atmospheric' theater.  Atmospheric theaters were a movie palace design that was popular in the late 1920s.  They were meant to evoke a feeling of a time and place for theater goers, using architectural elements, ornamentation and projectors.  

The Russell auditorium was decorated as a Mediterranean garden with Lombardy poplars and literary busts set in wall niches.  At the end of the movie, a rainbow would appear over the stage.  The renovation continues... To learn more just go to https://www.russelltheatre.org/.

I've included these photos just to contrast Maysville's 2nd Street as it appears now as compared to a photo/postcard from ca. 1900.  I'm basing that early date on that very primitive automobile shown on the postcard.  Note the trolley tracks and the matching electrical power line right above them.  I'm guessing that the street was paved with bricks but its hard to be certain based on the picture.

Part of the Maysville Downtown Historic District, this is the Nelson Building.  It consists of two storefronts sharing a 'party wall', thereby creating 2 major bays.  The upper floors would have once been professional office space or apartments.  The huge Roman arched windows and the belt courses of stone indicate a Richardson-Romanesque influence.

One store front, at 9 West 2nd Street, is occupied by the Sprinkles and Hope Bakery and Deli, which trains and employs people with disabilities.  The bakery/deli offers cupcakes, cookies, breakfast sandwiches, salads and ice cream.  At 11 West 2nd Street, that second storefront, based on recent information on the Internet, one can imbibe at Kenton - "Stores with a Spirit".  They offer books, an art gallery, coffees, liquor and an interesting menu for its guests.

This handsome 3 story structure at 38 West 2nd Street in Maysville began life in 1871 as the Pierce and Wallingford Bank.  I was unable to learn anything about the bank company but I did find this company bank check for sale on eBay. (Asking price - $398.98!) Given the date on the check, (1867), its a fair guess that the bank was operating somewhere else before it opened its doors in Maysville.  The building is now known as the Hay House and it's a gift shop that specializes in greeting cards, gift wrap, ornaments and a variety of gifts for any occasion.  

The Maysville Downtown Historic District is about 4.5 blocks long and 2 to 2.5 blocks wide.  When the National Register for Historic Places application was completed in 1982, the area contained 155 buildings, a cemetery and a sculpture.  62% of the structures were commercial and 28% were residential.  The other 10% of the historic district included 5 churches, 2 theaters, a high school complex, a library, a museum and 5 governmental buildings.  87% of the buildings were built before 1930 and 92% were brick.  The first floor occupancy rate was 98%.

This is the Cox Building.  It's located at 2 East 3rd Street in Maysville.  I borrowed this photo of the building from the Internet as it was so much better than the picture I took... Construction of this Richardson-Romanesque style building began in 1886 and it was completed in 1887.  The tower at the corner, the large dormer-type windows on the 4th floor, the distinctive chimneys, curved windows and that big circular stained glass window, all combine to grab one's attention.  

The building was designed to accommodate 3 large storefronts on the ground floor with appropriate storage space for the stores on the second floor.  Up to 9 tenants could occupy the upscale professional office space on the rest of the second floor.  Originally the Cox Building was a 5 story structure.  The upper 3 stories were explicitly designed for use as a Masonic Temple, specifically for the York Rite "Knights Templar".

In 2010 the roof of the building, as well as the 4th and 5th floors were destroyed by a fire.  The city has worked to restore the structure to its original grandeur...bringing it back to life.  It was rededicated in 2012.  Currently it provides space for special events and offers tours to visitors.  Occupants include the Maysville-Mason County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Ohio River Valley Artist Guild, the Masonic Lodge, the Downing Music Academy and the Maysville Community and Technical College Culinary Institute with its bakery and cafe.

Perhaps the most unusual building on Market Street is the former IOOF lodge.  Located at 221 Market Street, the building's attention grabbing polychrome Venetian Gothic ornamentation dates back to 1914.  The building appeared to be unoccupied during our visit to Maysville. 

FYI, I.O.O.F stands for the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows.  This fraternal organization promotes friendship, love and truth as guidelines for daily lives and they are involved in various activities, functions and charitable events that support their goals.

Note: See the person about to enter the building at the left of the old I.O.O.F. structure.  That spelled 'trouble' for me...

Laurie just had to explore "Elementz", a small boutique gift shop at 225 Market Street featuring 'upscale gifts for you and your family'.  Maysville and Kentucky crafted items are a primary focus with items available for babies, kids, teens, women, men, pets and the home.  Laurie scored with the purchase of 2 Christmas Holiday swags.  The good news for me was that she got them for 30% off the normal price... Elementz can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/elementzonmarket/.

As I was researching other buildings and historical structures in Maysville, I 

came across this blast from my past...sort of...because while I may be 'older', I'm not this old.

As I was researching other buildings and historical structures in Maysville, I 

came across this blast from my past...sort of...because while I may be 'older', I'm not this old.  As I wandered around Maysville, I don't know how I missed this building with its symbolic "The Spirit of Progress" figure at its decorative center peak.  This was retail giant Montgomery Ward's quality symbol and I spent a good deal of my work life with this company.  The building was constructed in 1928 as a Montgomery Ward department store.  It has been renovated and as best as I could determine, it's been serving as a conference center.

These are photos of the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge.  It spans the Ohio River between Maysville Kentucky and Aberdeen Ohio.  This suspension bridge was built in 1931 to carry US Hwy 62 across the river.  At that time it was the only bridge spanning the Ohio River between Portsmouth and Silver Grove Kentucky, a distance of 110 miles.

The official opening of the bridge was on November 25, 1931.  As was the custom of the time, caravans of auto club members from across the state traveled to the event.  It was declared a holiday in Maysville.  Lights were strung across the bridge and a grandstand was built for the dedication ceremonies.  Several thousand people attended the event.

This is one of the few surviving historic suspension bridges on the Ohio River.  The steel "X" pattern steel towers are a special feature.  The main span of the bridge is 1,060 feet long and the total length of the bridge is 1,991 feet.  Tolls were collected for passage over the bridge until 1945...when there was another celebration.

This is the William H. Harsha Bridge and its located just a couple of miles downriver from the Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge.  This new cable-stayed bridge opened in 2000 and it handles a lot of the traffic that would have used the old bridge.  Noisy truck traffic can now bypass downtown Maysville and less traffic on the old bridge will expand its life expectancy.  Since its opened for traffic, the old bridge has been closed a couple of times with significant repairs and upgrades taking place.

The new Maysville (William H. Harsha) Bridge has a main span of 1,050 feet and a total length of 2,100 feet.  Each of its towers consists of battered reinforced concrete cellular shafts.  The deck of the bridge is 60 feet wide.

With the construction of the flood walls, the old Louisville and Nashville Railway depot was moved about a quarter mile south from its original location and this new depot was constructed in its place.  As the article notes, the old depot was repurposed by the city for offices and the fire department. 

This is the old Chesapeake and Ohio Depot in Maysville Kentucky.  This Georgian-style depot was built ca. 1918.  The first photo was borrowed from the Internet as it shows the front of the depot.  The depot is one of the few buildings near downtown Maysville that doesn't sit behind the floodwall.  Of course, neither do CSX Transportation's double tracks.  

Amtrak refurbished the old depot.  It had closed in 1968 and it was rebuilt in 1971.  The depot is located at the corner of West Front Street and Rosemary Clooney Street.  It now services Amtrak's Cardinal trains 50 and 51 with service on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.  The depot lacks a station agent or station services but it does have a waiting area that is furnished with traditional wooden benches.  In 2023, the depot served 2,111 travelers.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Along the Road...and Maysville Kentucky

When we left Paris Kentucky, I followed US Hwy 68 north toward Maysville Kentucky, our final destination for the evening.  The scenery was littered with horses and horse/stud farms.  We were ahead of schedule, so I thought that I'd get off what was essentially a 4-lane highway and take some 2-laners the rest of the way to Maysville.  We do love the backroads!  You never know what you'll come across along the way.   

Once off the most direct route to Maysville, we headed north up KY Hwy 32 and into the town of Carlisle Kentucky.  The Lexington and Maysville Railroad was completed to Carlisle in 1871 and it was folded into  the Louisville and Nashville Railway system in 1891.  The land the original depot was built on was donated by 13 citizens and businesses in the town.  It was built in 1882.

This depot was built by the Louisville and Nashville Railway in 1912.  It replaced the original wood framed structure which had burned down.  The station had deteriorated significantly before it was renovated by the Nicolas County Historical Society.  At last report, the Nicolas County Rotary Club was meeting here on a regular basis.  The building has 2 large meeting rooms as well as a full kitchen so it can be rented for special events.

I couldn't find out very much about the Carlisle Christian Church which is located at 242 North Locust Street.  This imposing structure was built in 1899.  The Disciples of Christ/Christian Church denomination was organized in 1860 and they originally met in the the town's school or in private homes until the first church structure was built in 1868.

Apparently Halloween is a big deal in Nicolas County Kentucky.  I just wish I owned the company that produces most of these skeleton figures...they are everywhere this year!  

Originally, the Nicolas County seat was in Ellisville Kentucky.  The county was originally created from parts of 3 very large counties that were part of Virginia.  When the county seat was moved to Carlisle in 1816, the log courthouse in Ellisville was also moved.  It was used until it was replaced in 1818.  

The current Nicolas County Courthouse is the fourth one and it was completed in 1893.  As you can see, this 3-story Second Empire style structure is quite ornamental...lots of detail.  I believe that the county was named for Wilson Cary Nicolas, a Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator.  However a second source claims that it was actually named for George Nicolas, Kentucky's first attorney general and the father of Kentucky's original constitution.

Note: Daniel Boone lived in Nicolas County with his family from 1795 until 1799.  His last cabin in Kentucky still stands and it is a National Historic Place.

These 2 photos provide an explanation or the reason for the subject of the following photo from Maysville Kentucky.  In 1937 a devasting flood impacted Maysville.  Homes and businesses were destroyed by the raging waters of the Ohio River.  The river crested at 75.2 feet, slightly more than 25 feet above flood stage...

The 1937 flood at Maysville led to the construction of a floodwall to protect from future flooding.  No surprise when it comes to most government funded projects, construction didn't actually start until 1949 and the floodwall wasn't completed until 1956.  It was built to handle a flood reaching 3 feet higher than the 1937 disaster.  The floodwall is over 14,000 feet long, ranges in height from 11 to 30 feet depending on the terrain and it is equipped with 5 pumping stations.  

In the late 1990s, artist Robert Dalford and his team created the Maysville Floodwall Murals.  Rather than having to look at blank concrete walls from the downtown area, Dalford created 10 murals that are a tribute to the town's history.  The subject matter ranges from bison hunts by Native Americans to the Underground Railroad to local celebrity, Rosemary Clooney.  The two shown above depict the town's Market Street in the 1920s and a scene from the Germantown fair Grandstand.  The murals are a big tourist draw in Maysville.

Maysville Kentucky is the county seat for Mason County.  This stately and commanding structure is the Mason County Courthouse.  The Greek Revival style building...resembling a Greek temple...was built in 1844.  The clock on top of the courthouse was built by a locksmith from Flemingsburg Kentucky in 1850.  

Mason County was organized in 1788 and Washington Kentucky was the original county seat.  At that point nearby Maysville was just a primitive site of warehouses and wharves...with very few homes.  But by the 1830s, Maysville had a population of 3,000 and it was the second-most important commercial city in Kentucky after Louisville.  Washington Kentucky had dwindled in importance and after a fire in 1825 and a series of cholera outbreaks, in 1848 the county seat was moved to Maysville.  Maysville donated its city hall to the county as the courthouse.

It seems a little unusual to me but the Mason County Clerk's Office isn't housed in the Courthouse.  Instead its located in this smallish double door Greek Revival style structure.  It was built in 1860.  The Circuit Clerk is also based here...

This grouping of homes along West Third Street in Maysville is referred to as Mechanic's Row.  The homes were built ca 1816.  They're considered to be among the finest examples of New Orleans-inspired architecture in Kentucky.  The property these home sit on was originally purchased from John May...as in "Maysville".  The name Mechanic's Row, stems from the residents who were both merchants and skilled craftsmen.  Originally, these home didn't have any porches, but they certainly add that extra wow architectural factor.

This is the January-Cochran House which is located at 20 West 3rd Street in Maysville.  It's right across the street from Mechanic's Row.  This home was built ca 1838 by Andrew McConnell January.  He was a successful merchant, the first President of the Bank of Maysville and a one-time President of the old Lexington-Maysville Turnpike Company. (Toll roads are not new to America!)

This home, with its 6,683 square feet of living space, remained in the builder's family for six generations.  The interior was fully modernized in the early 2,000s and it has 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 2 half baths, a chef's kitchen, family room, double parlors, a library, huge dining room and a grand staircase.  The home sits on about three quarters of an acre.

That rather austere looking three-story structure with the New Orleans-style balcony at left of the photo, is the Jones House.  Built before 1856, it is right across the street from the courthouse.  With over 6,000 square feet of floor space, the building is home for a law firm, Fox, Woods and Estell.  John Estell has been the Mason County Attorney since 1994 and, based on the sign in the window, apparently he was running for office during our visit.

I was faked out by the look of that 'old church' at the right.  The Trinity United Methodist Church was actually completed in March of 1962.  It is nice that 'the look' fits the neighborhood.

The Maysville Presbyterian Church is located at 21 West Third Street, right next to the County Courthouse.  This massive Gothic-style structure was built in 1850 after a fire destroyed an earlier Presbyterian Church, the "Old Blue Church", that was located on Second Street.  Note the large Gothic-arched stained-glass windows at the front of the structure.  In 1854 a nearby powder magazine exploded and it damaged this church.  Reportedly, the damage caused by the blast is still apparent inside the church.

That's about it for now.  Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

Headed to Paris - Again!

Hard to believe that we visited Paris only 2 days earlier...Western Tennessee that is.  This time its a different Paris and in this case it is located in north central Kentucky, just a little northeast of Lexington.  We decided stop and take a look around town before heading on to our destination for the evening.  Paris had a couple of things going for it...places to shop for Laurie and Paris is horse country.  Laurie loves horses and shopping so the area fit her needs. 

This elaborate gatehouse is worthy of an entrance to a nice park or a fairgrounds.  But it serves neither of those functions.  Instead it is the gatehouse for the Paris Cemetery...which was incorporated way back in 1847.  The gatehouse itself was built of granite in back in 1862.  It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Yes!  Paris Kentucky also has its own version of the Eiffel Tower... However this model, located at 801 Main Street, is only 20 feet tall...about a third of the height of the Eiffel Tower located in Paris Tennessee. (I borrowed this photo from the Internet)

Folks of a certain age remember the J.J. Newberry stores.  This five and dime chain of stores was founded in 1911 in Pennsylvania and at its zenith this family owned company had about 565 stores serving the northeast, southwest and western USA.  The company, which had been purchased by McCrory Stores in 1972, was completely liquidated in 2002.  

Love the fact that the old J. J. Newberry sign has been preserved and that the 1930s structure is being appropriately reused.  Located at 627 Main Street, most of the building is occupied by Ardery's Antiques and Collectables.

In general, I'm not a big shopper or fan of shopping.  However, this store occupying most of the J. J.  Newberry site, was loaded with antiques, collectables, quality recycled clothing and much more.  Lots of interesting 'stuff'.  From my viewpoint, another plus was the pricing...very reasonable...a bargain in many cases.  My purse 'addicted' better half scored a branded purse for a very nice price.

The other portion of the old J.J. Newberry's store is home to a popular local spot for coffee, breakfast and lunch.  This is Lil's Coffee House and yes, you can still experience dining at an old time dime store counter.  Talk about nostalgia for us 'older' folks!  

Lil's is open from 8 AM until 3:30 PM Monday through Saturday.  While old timey favorites like tuna salad, egg salad and chicken salad sandwiches are on the menu, so is a daily quiche, Scotch eggs and toast, tomato pie and an olive nut sandwich, along with a wide variety of coffee 'treats'.  Trip Advisor reviewers give Lil's 4.5 'stars'.  You can learn more about Lil's Coffee House at https://www.facebook.com/LilsCoffee.  

Laurie 'scored' again at Loch Lea Antiques, which is located right across the street from the old J.J. Newberry's store.  Loch Lea has a nice selection of actual antiques, not just old stuff like so many 'antique' stores offer these days.  She picked up an antique corn bread iron skillet.  I even got into the act, adding a couple of nice antique postcards to my collection.  Loch Lea Antiques is on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LochLeaAntiques/.

As we cruise through small and medium size towns on our trips, murals while certainly engaging, have become commonplace.  This huge 3-story mural of legendary racehorse, Secretariat, was just completed in November of 2022.  The Paris area was home to this truly famous racehorse.  

Artist Jaime Corum started the painting on the anniversary of Secretariat's death and she finished the mural on the anniversary of his retirement to nearby Claiborne Farm back in 1973.  The mural is on the wall of the old Baldwin Hotel, that was built in 1933.  Today the old hotel is home to 6 fully equipped and furnished suites that are rented to travelers or business people for 30 days or longer.

Guess what is located right nest to that mural!  This park, which features this life-size bronze sculpture of Secretariat, was created by famous equine sculptor, Jocelyn Russell.  It depicts 'Big Red', (Secretariat's nickname), running at nearby Claiborne Farm...and its a companion piece to that huge mural.  

The park just opened in November of 2023, 50 years after Secretariat arrived at Claiborne Farm for his breeding career.  Not only does the park celebrate Secretariat, but it also pays honor to the 90 horse farms that populate Bourbon County.  Paris is the county seat for Bourbon County.  

Secretariat is considered the greatest or one of the greatest thoroughbred horses in American racehorse history.  He set many records, some of which still stand today.  To learn more about this amazing horse and his history, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secretariat_(horse).

Artist Jaime Corum was at it again with another big mural during our visit.  This mural is right across the street from the Secretariat mural.  This mural depicts Curlin, another American thoroughbred racehorse.  He was the American Horse of the Year in 2007 and 2008, having won a plethora of major races during his racing career.  Per my research, this mural was completed in October of 2024.  To learn more about Curlin, go to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curlin.

Once again, those of us of a certain age remember structures like this one.  It was a former Pure Oil Gas Station.  Thankfully, it has been preserved and readapted as an Edward Jones office.  This former Tudor or English Cottage style gas station was built in 1926.  Back in the early days of automotive expansion, designs like this were an effort by gasoline companies to built stations that were more compatible with residential neighborhoods.

The center of Paris Kentucky includes the Downtown Paris Historic District.  This very large historic district covers more than 96 acres and it includes more than 220 contributing buildings and 15 contributing structures.  Basically, I could point my camera in any direction and I'd be recording a bit of area history... 

This handsome structure is the former Elks Lodge building.  Its located on Courthouse Square at Bank Row and Main Street in Paris.  One of the tallest buildings in town, this four stories building is a mash of Neo-classical and Romanesque Revival styles.  

Built ca 1901 as the headquarters for the local Elks lodge, it was intended to accommodate a number of uses.  The local Masonic Lodge bought the building in 1926.  In the 1940s the upper floors were home for the Bourbon Hotel and the first floor served a number of businesses until the hotel went out of business.    Neglected for many years, most recently it was refurbished in order to provide apartments for the elderly.

The 1899 Agricultural Bank Building is right across Main Street from the Elks/Masonic Building.  This structure's design is unique as it was inspired by northern European architecture.  Topping the facade, that Flemish wall dormer with its hemispheric dome pierced by oculi style windows really sets this building apart from others in town.  Architectural changes to the first floor show a Georgian modification.

I couldn't find much information about the former tenants or owners of this old bank building but it does appear that it served the banking industry for many decades.  The most recent occupant seems to have been Kentucky Bancshares, Inc.  Currently this striking building is on the commercial real estate market.  You can own this structure!  The asking price is $860,000.

The centerpiece of courthouse square is of course the Bourbon County Courthouse.  It is the dominating architectural landmark in the city of Paris.  Located on the highest point in downtown Paris, it is the fourth courthouse constructed on this site.  Ca. 1902, this Beaux-Arts building replaced an 1874 building that was destroyed by fire at the beginning of the 20th Century.

Bourbon County is one of Kentucky's nine original counties and of course, it's best known for its historical association with Bourbon whiskey.  The county was established in 1785 from a portion of Fayette County Virginia.  In gratitude for King Louis XVI's assistance during the American Revolutionary War, the county was named after the French House of Bourbon.

Just click on any of the photos to enlarge them.  Our next overnight stop was on the Ohio River.  

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave