Garrard County: Nature, Paddling and History

Garrard County combines outdoor activities with culture and local history. Logan Hubble Memorial Park has trails for walking, running and biking; on Kentucky River Pool 7, paddling and the Palisades shape the scenery. There are also a variety of performances, an annual festival with agricultural roots, and historic sites. For planning your trip, you can consider these as separate areas of focus: nature and activity, events, or history.

Trails and Water

Logan Hubble Memorial Park is a 400-acre park and nature preserve. Its trails are designed for walking, running and biking. This offers three explicitly mentioned ways to get around while spending time outdoors. You can explore the park according to the focus of your trip, whether you prefer walking, running or biking. The park has two clear facets: it is a nature preserve and a place for activity.

An 18-mile paddling route is possible on Kentucky River Pool 7. It runs from the launch at U.S. 27 to the take-out near High Bridge. On the Garrard County side, the launch is at old U.S. 27 at the foot of the new U.S. 27 bridge. This identifies both the road and the bridge as landmarks at the starting point. While paddling, the Palisades rise above the boats on both sides, shaping the view from the water.

Park trails and the river route offer different ways to plan: walking, running and biking are the focus in the park; for Pool 7, the 18-mile distance as well as the launch and take-out points are specified. This lets you weigh activity on trails against a paddling route with a specific start and end point.

Performances and Agricultural Heritage

The Lancaster Grand Theatre is a 441-seat venue offering a variety of performances. The number of seats indicates the venue's capacity; the range of performances also provides a cultural option alongside outdoor activities. If you would like to include performances in your trip, the theater is a focus in its own right.

The Garrard County Rural Heritage Tobacco Festival is held annually and grew out of the region's agricultural history. Its origins provide a direct connection to the history of agriculture. As the festival is held annually, you can take the specific event date into account when choosing your travel dates. This recurring event differs from a visit to the theater, which offers a variety of performances.

Historic Sites and Insights

Fort Paint Lick was the site of a block fort and palisade works built by Lt. Col. Wm. Miller. The fort was built over a spring, with steps leading down to it. The fortifications and the spring are two tangible aspects of the same place: the defensive structure and water source have a specific architectural relationship.

Paint Lick Presbyterian Church was founded in 1784 by Rev. David Rice. Soldiers from the Revolutionary War and the Civil War are buried in Paint Lick Cemetery. These two historic references highlight different aspects: the church's founding date and founder, and the cemetery's connection to two wars.

At the Garrard County Jail Museum, visitors can tour the cell block on the ground floor and the jailer's living quarters on the second floor. Several items are also on display that highlight other areas of Garrard County history. The rooms specifically mentioned offer insights into different parts of the former jail; the items broaden the subject to include other aspects of the county's history.

Discover more destinations: Paint Lick, Boone County, Owen County, Carter County, Marion County, Hardin, Livingston, Union County.

For the broader travel overview: Kentucky.