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

Bardstown Kentucky - Dinner and More

As our exploration (and shopping) adventures wound down in the center of Bardstown, we decided to find someplace for a casual dinner.  I'd researched the dining possibilities when I was planning the road trip so I did have a couple of choices available. 

We chose the more casual...or actually more local, restaurant over the more tourist related venue.  This is the primary entrance to Mammy's Kitchen... The actual entrance is under that low overhanging structure at the right.  Note the two benches available for diners on a busy weekend evening.

Mammy's Kitchen does have a front entrance but there is virtually no parking at the front of the restaurant so apparently most diners or bar patrons enter at the back.  As you can see, outdoor dining is an option.

Mammy's Kitchen started out in 2006 as Christy's Collections, a home accessory, antique and custom sewing store in downtown Bardstown.  Then the family, 'Mammy' included, decided to add a cafe to the mix.  They started out with a small grill, deep fryer, an old stove, a refrigerator and freezer from home...and added in dishes, pots and pans from discount stores.

It wasn't long before this family business had an opportunity to move a few doors down into a much larger building...and the business took off!

Entering through the main (back) door, patrons enter the large dining room.  The bar with more seating is accessed through the doorway/hallway under that bright white light in the back center of the photo.

Why was the restaurant named "Mammy's"?  It was because the owner wanted to keep both of her grandmothers' memories alive.  Both of them were called "Mammy".  One of them had 17 children and the other mammy had 15 children.  By now the owner is a mammy in her own right...

FYI, I can't imagine raising 15 or 17 children without having a breakdown.  Can you?

The first photo above is looking from the entrance from the dining room into the bar area.  That bar is one gigantic slab of wood!  This area offers alternative seating and lots of TVs.  The second photo is looking back toward the dining room.  Note the neon sign at center right.  This is a big restaurant!

We decided on the Fried Pickles with Mammy's homemade dipping sauce as an appetizer. ($11.99) They were very good...but despite her love for fried pickles, given Laurie's shrinking appetite, I ended up eating far too many of these goodies.  

Other more unusual appetizers on the menu included Bacon Cheese Tots, Seasoned Pork Rinds and Chorizo Pork Rinds.  The menu at Mammy's is in the form of a newspaper with the menu in the center and mostly family stories, (the Gribbins and the Hourigans) on the front and back pages.  

After eating some of the pickle chips, Laurie wanted something lighter for her 'entree'.  She chose the Chicken Salad Melt accompanied by a few potato chips. ($12.49) The sandwich consisted of grilled Texas toast and homemade chicken salad that was topped with American cheese and sliced tomato. 

With the exception of the Fried Bologna and Cheese sandwich, the other sandwiches were pretty much variations of usual sandwich items.  The one other variation is the portion of the menu that claims the "Best Steakburgers in Town!"  It features a Kentucky Cornbread Mafia Burger and The Bourbon Burger...the latter simmered in Uncle Marty's Bourbon Sauce.

As most of you have noted, I go big or go home!  For my entree, it was all about the Pork Chops with 2 sides and cornbread. ($19.49) There were 2 breaded and fried pork chops (chargrilling is an option).  For my sides I chose Home Fries and Fried Apples.  The corn bread was OK...I like mine sweeter, the Home Fries were decent and the fried apples were a bit overly soft and moist.  However, the Pork Chops were just right...fried and still moist inside.  

For those headed to Bardstown you should know that Mammy's Kitchen has an extensive breakfast menu...sorry we missed the opportunity.  It includes a "Kentucky Breakfast Hot Brown"...oven roasted turkey and shaved ham piled on top of 2 pieces of Texas toast, covered with Hot Brown sauce, topped with 2 eggs, bacon and sliced tomato...then browned in the oven.  I'd "have to" try it!

Mammy's Kitchen is located at 116 West Stephen Foster Avenue in Bardstown Kentucky.  This restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays.  Phone: 502-350-1097.  Their website is at https://www.mammyskitchenbar.com/about.

This little blue frame house with the Eastlake style porch is included in the Bardstown Historic District.  It was built ca. 1890.

After a bit of research on this home, called "Edgewood", located at 310 South 5th Street in Bardstown, I learned that it is also known historically as the Ben Hardin House.  The older section of the home (to the right) was built in 1815 while the section now serving as the front of the structure was built between 1819 and 1822.  The style is a combination of Federal and Georgian with a touch of Greek revival thrown in.  The home sits on 2.37 acres of land...

Ben Hardin was a successful lawyer, he served in both houses of the Kentucky legislature, he was a state cabinet member and he served 3 terms in the US House of Representatives as a Whig.  Ben and his wife Elizabeth had a daughter named Lucinda.  Lucinda married John L. Helm, 2 time Governor of Kentucky, Speaker of the US House of Representatives and later, President of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad.  In one of those weird twists of fate, Lucinda and John Helm's son, Ben Hardin Helm was a Confederate General in the Civil War.  General Helm's wife was Emilie Todd, sister of Mary Todd Lincoln.

This is the McMeekin/Muir House in Bardstown.  This late Georgian beauty, also known as "Shadowland" was built ca. 1820.  The Greek Revival front porch and art glass windows were added in 1899.  This home is part of the Bardstown Historic District.  This home was last sold/purchased in 2018 for $410,000.  It sits on a half acre lot.

Bardstown also offers a variety of railway excursions via the "My Old Kentucky Home" Dinner Train.  In addition to dinner excursions, other offerings include lunch, bourbon and murder mystery trips as well as special holiday excursions.  The 2.5 hours dinner excursion currently costs $108.00 per person.

To learn about the dinner train and its offerings, just go to https://www.kydinnertrain.com/. 

The passenger cars for the dinner train are steel-skirted cars that were built by the Budd Company in the late 1940s.  The diesel locomotive is an EMD GP15-1 and this model was built by General Motors' Electro-Motive Division between 1976 and 1982.  Only 310 were built but they are still going strong and they are popular with short-line railroads.

The R.J. Corman Railroad Company purchased the 20-mile branch rail line from CSX Transportation in 1987 and then the company developed the dinner train.  The Corman Railroad Group is privately held and it has field locations is 22 states.  The company provides track maintenance and installation, emergency services, equipment rentals and much more to main-line railroads.  In addition, the company owns 19 short-line railroads in 10 states.

Last but not least...how about a nice bed and breakfast stay in Bardstown.  I know that you probably can't read what's printed on the wooden sign... This is the old Nelson County Jail and it was built in 1819 with an addition being built in 1874.  It looks pretty welcoming, doesn't it?  It's situated next to the Old Talbott Tavern.

This is the view of the back of the old Nelson County Jail.  That foreboding wall was built in 1874 when the 'new' section of the jail was finished.  The wall surrounded the new exercise yard.  At the time the old Nelson County Jail was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983, it was still being used as a jail... In 1987 the county stopped using the structure as a jail and the building was sold at public auction.  

In 1989, the building was reopened as The Jailer's Inn Bed and Breakfast.  It features 6 guest rooms with one of the rooms featuring bunks that were used by the prisoners during the jail's active years.  The Travel Channel ranked the Nelson County Jail as one of the ten most haunted places in the United States.  One of the alleged ghosts is Martin Hill, who died painfully while waiting to be hanged for murdering his wife.  To learn more about the Inn, go to http://www.jailersinn.com/.

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

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Take Care, Big Daddy Dave