Nicholas County

It's come to my attention that I'm not numbering our visits and some of you are having a hard time keeping up with the count.  So, going forward I will let you know what number we are on, with each new post.  That being said, Nicholas County is number 15.  Like every other trip on this journey, where we know we are going to see multiple counties, one or two have to have a shortened visit.  Like I've said numerous times already, time is our enemy.  On this trip, Nicholas County was the unlucky one.  Primarily because it is a neighbor of ours and it is so easy to go back there anytime.  I'll tell you all about our visit after a little background.

NICHOLAS COUNTY BACKGROUND

Nicholas County was formed in 1799 from Bourbon and Mason Counties.  I was the forty-second county formed in the Commonwealth.  The county was named after Colonel George Nicholas a Revolutionary War veteran and "Father of the Kentucky Constitution".   Nicholas County is located on the Northeast edge of the Bluegrass Region and the City of Carlisle has served as the county seat since 1816.  Prior to that it had been located in Lower Blue Lick and then moved to Ellisville in 1805 where there was a log courthouse.

The first settlement in Nicholas County was near Blue Lick Springs which is now in Robertson County.  The spring water from this area was world renown in the mid-1800's. I will discuss more about Blue Licks when we make a trip into Robertson County.

One of the notable attractions in Nicholas County, is the Clay Wildlife Management Area.  This is a 5,000 acre wildlife reserve that offer hunting, fishing and hiking and primitive camping all year round.  It is run by the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Department.  Another well known spot is Lake Carnico.  Carnico is a 150 acre lake that offers boating, fishing and an 18 hole golf course.  Finally, you can see Daniel Boone's last residence in Kentucky.  It is a small cabin at the intersection of U.S. 68 and Highway 36.

OUR VISIT

Like I said before our visit to Nicholas County was short, but we were able to see a couple of pretty neat things.  First of all, we headed out to Lake Carnico.  The boys had never been there and I have dozens of great memories of spending time there.  A good friend of mines family owns a cabin on the lake and I spent many a night there during my late teens and early twenties.  It's great place to fish, canoe or just hang out.  If you've never spent time at Carnico I highly recommend it. 

After we left Carnico, we headed into Carlisle.  I love the "town square" in Carlisle.  The streets are wide and everything faces the courthouse.  We spent quite a bit of time at the courthouse where we read all the historical markers that are on the grounds.  There is also an old weapon displayed at the courthouse as well.  Roadkill couldn't help himself and jumped right in the barrell and wanted his picture taken.

As we headed out of town, towards Fleming County, we saw something that seems to be dying away.  I remember as kid, everywhere you went "out in the coutry" the was a barn painted with an advertisement, like; "See Rock City", "Mail Pouch Tobacco", etc.  Although we still see them occaisionally, we saw one on Highway 32 that made us stop and take a picture.

Next stop Fleming County...