Washington County

Well, we've been to Nevada, seen the site of the bloodiest battle in Kentucky history, now we are standing in Texas!  Every time we leave the house on the 120 in 12, we never know what to expect.  The amazing thing is, we have yet to be disappointed.  So, here we are in Washington County on our way to Anderson County (mom is really hollering for some burgoo).  Washington County, oddly enough has deep roots with our 16th President Abraham Lincoln.  But, I'll cover all of that in more detail in our history lesson.

WASHINGTON COUNTY BACKGROUND

Washington County was formed in 1792 from parts of Nelson County.  It was the 10th county in the order of formation but was the first county formed after Kentucky became a state.  The county is named for none other than George Washington and the city of Springfield is the county seat.  The courthouse, built in 1816, is the oldest courthouse still in use in Kentucky.

Washington County is known for its tie to the Lincoln family history.  President Lincoln's grandfather, Abraham, Sr. relocated his family to Washington County in 1782 and settled about five miles north of Springfield, in an area known as Beechland.  Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, the presidents parents, were married in Washington County by Jesse Head, a Methodist minister in 1806.  The original marriage records are still located in the Washington County Courthouse.

At the Lincoln Homestead State Park, they showcase a replica of the log cabin in which Bersheba Lincoln, the president's grandmother raised her five children.  It is located on the traditional site of the original cabin.  The park also boasts The Berry House.  Nancy Hanks, the president's mother lived in this original home.  It is believed that Thomas Lincoln proposed to her in this house standing before the huge fireplace.

There is also a memorial to Nancy Hanks Lincoln on the property.

It is interesting to note that Jacob Beam, founder of Jim Beam Whiskey, sold his first barrel of whiskey in Washington County.

OUR VISIT

Our visit to Washington County started with a brief stop in Texas.  I guess it only seems appropriate, seeing how we had just left Nevada.  We actually missed it the first time.  I was driving pretty fast down U.S. 150 and we passed a little crossroads and I said, "Did that sign say Texas?".  So we turned around and went back.  Sure enough, we had flown right through Texas.   We stopped jumped out, snapped a picture and headed on to Springfield.

The first thing we did was stop at the old courthouse.  There is a memorial there to all the soldiers past and present from Washington County.  The funny thing is, I got a picture of the memorial but none of the courthouse.  I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I completely missed it.

Right across the street is the new county courthouse.  and out front is  a ten foot tall sculpture of President Lincoln.  The back of the statue has a plaque giving a brief history of the Lincoln family in Washington County.  You will find a picture, earlier in this post.  After reading all the information there, we decided to find our way out to the state park.

When we got there the park was about to close, so we did not pay for the tour.  Instead, we walked around on our own, again taking in all the literature that was available.  They had several pieces of furniture and other belongings that they claim were made and owned by Thomas Lincoln.  It's pretty cool to actually touch a piece of history.

As usual, we had miles to go before we slept, so jumped on the road towards Anderson County.  Mom was finally gonna get the burgoo she had waited for all day.

See you at number twenty-two.