Monroe County: History, Marble Games, and Nature

Monroe County combines an unusual marble tradition with historic landmarks and a landscape that includes the Upper Cumberland hills. In Tompkinsville, a wooden, barn-like structure at the end of Armory Drive is home to a regular playing tradition; at the Old Mulkey Meeting House, history dates back to 1804. A lake and several parks also bring a range of other, very different themes into view.

History and Trails at Old Mulkey

The Old Mulkey Meeting House was built in 1804 by a small group of Baptist pioneers from South Carolina. John and Philip Mulkey led the group. Old Mulkey Meeting House Park has seasonal hours: From April 1 through the end of October, it is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In November, December, and March, it is open Tuesday through Saturday; in January and February, visits are possible by appointment only. Check the hours again before your trip.

Behind the Old Mulkey Meeting House, the Jackson Memorial Trail winds through the forest. The trail is 0.7 miles long and rated moderate. Its length and difficulty provide specific guidance for anyone planning a hike as well as a history visit. The trail and the Meeting House represent two different aspects of the site: its historical background and a path through the wooded surroundings.

The history of Tompkinsville National Cemetery is also closely linked to the Civil War. J. B. Evans donated land in 1861 for the burial of Union soldiers. By the end of the war, the cemetery contained 115 graves of soldiers who had died in the region. After only five graves remained, the cemetery became public and was no longer a national cemetery. This sequence shows how its historical function changed without conflating the different periods.

Marble Games at the Marble Dome

A completely different local feature is Tompkinsville’s Marble Dome: a wooden, barn-like structure at the end of Armory Drive. It was built in 1988 so marble games could continue after dark and in all weather. Members of the Monroe County Marble Club meet there regularly to play. Rolley-Hole is considered the most popular marble game locally; its playing field has been an integral part of the building since day one.

The Marble Dome thus puts both the structure and an organized playing tradition in the spotlight. The connection is unusually specific: the building was constructed for playing after dark and in all weather, and a particular playing field has been an integral part of the building from the beginning.

City Lake, Hills, and Parks

The Upper Cumberland hills are part of Monroe County’s natural landscape. Tompkinsville City Park offers a different focus: City Lake is used for fishing, and gasoline-powered motors are not allowed there. In addition to the Dogwood Pavilion, the park has five primitive campsites.

Parks in other towns have their own distinctive features, too. Disc golf is a popular attraction at Gamaliel City Park; it also has a playground and covered shelters. In Gamaliel, sports and play amenities come together at a named location. Fountain Run Community Park adds a baseball field to the mix. These specific differences can help you choose locations based on the activities that interest you during your stay.

A 2024 study by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet listed the Turkey Neck Bend Ferry ride as free. Check this operational detail again before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Madison County, Woodford County, Whitley County, Kenton, Laurel, Lawrence County, Muhlenberg

For the main travel overview: Kentucky.