The Birthplace of the West

Downtown Harrodsburg, KY

We stepped onto a deserted Main Street and were enveloped by an eerie quietness. It’s the kind of silence you imagine just before a Mexican standoff in a Western film.

It was 9:15 p.m. and as with most modern-day small towns, the sidewalks had been rolled up at least an hour before. Quite a different experience for a city dweller!

The tranquility of the scene provided us the perfect canvas to absorb the historical charm of Harrodsburg, letting our senses roam freely. We could almost visualize ourselves standing there in 1774 when the town was founded.

Harrodsburg is not only Kentucky’s first town, but it earned the title “Birthplace of the West” as well having been the first permanent American settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.

We were walking through living history, and every street corner had a story to tell.

Clay Hill, built circa 1812 and the birthplace of Governor Beriah Magoffin Jr.

Much of Harrodsburg is registered with the Historical Society and even though some of the buildings are showing signs of aging, these buildings are a beautiful sight to behold, especially when you consider many were built over 200 years ago.

One can almost envision stepping out of a horse-drawn carriage, donned in early 19th-century attire, to join the festive celebrations that were once held here.

Charming little sitting area in downtown Harrodsburg

Old blended with new, but the values in a small town never seem to fade. With a strong preservation of history throughout, Harrodsburg also prides itself in community spaces such as the one above. Families can grab pizza at a locally owned pizza shop or coffee at The Hub and enjoy sidewalk cafe style.

For a small town, Harrodsburg far exceeded expectations and I look forward to returning.