Greenup – The Kaintuckeean

NoD: Raceland’s Track

Raceland Race Track Historic Marker, Raceland, Ky.

The town of Chinnville changed its name in 1924 when its greatest tenant arrived: a horse track. renamed Raceland after the new track. Raceland, the track, hosted its first race, the “Ashland Stakes,” on July 10, 1924 before a crowd of 10,000. A few days later, a crowd of 27,000 witnessed the inaugural Raceland Derby, which featured five Kentucky Derby contenders including its victor Black Gold.

The one-mile oval track, nicknamed the “Million Dollar Oval” was apparently quite splendid. The track was surrounded by a white picket fence covered in “rambling red roses. The bridle paths and front lawn were paved in red tapestry brick, matching the clubhouse, steward’s stand and judges stand. The infield contained a alke and several sunken gardens.” [*]

Of course, it should come as no surprise to Lexingtonians that Raceland’s course was a beautiful racing venue. It was founded by Jack Keene who would go on to found his namesake racecourse, Keeneland, eleven years later.

Raceland, however, did not fare so well. Due to a lack of funds, the course closed in 1928 after only four seasons. Today, very little remains but a historic marker marks the spot. And so does a golf driving range.

NoD: Camp Swigert

Camp Swigert historic marker, Wurtland, Ky.

It has come to my attention that some of you are disappointed when they see a pictured historic marker. Sure, a marker isn’t as attention-grabbing as something that still exists – but it does mark an important piece of history for a reason. Regarding Camp Swigert, Kentucky historic marker #2247 reads:

Union Civil War training camp was organized Dec. 12, 1861. Made up of 20-25 acres. It became center of volunteer enlistees under command of Col. D. W. Lindsey. Recruits from surrounding counties, Frankfort & Louisville were assigned to form the 22nd Regt of Ky Volunteer Inf. Both black and white infantrymen stationed at Camp Swigert.
Engaged in skirmishes in eastern Ky & West Va., followed by Middle Creek, Ky and Cumberland Gap,Tn. They moved through Tennessee and Mississippi. The 22 Ky Volunteer Inf. Regt. consolidated at Baton Rouge, La in March 1864 into the 7 Ky Veteran Inf. Non-veterans were mustered out in Louisville on January 20, 1865.

After the Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, the colors of the KY 22nd Regt was said to be both “torn” and “covered with blood.” [*]

NoD: Don Gullett Country

Don Gullett Country Memorial; Greenup, Ky.

On the lawn of the Greenup County is a memorial declaring that “This is Don Gullett Country.” I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t recognize the name. I recognized the subject of he neighboring memorial, for Jesse Stuart, plus the Stuart memorial offered details as to who Stuart was.

I had to rely on Google to learn about Don Gullett, and I suppose if I were more of a baseball fan I might have recognized the name. Gullett was born in South Shore (Greenup County), Kentucky in 1951. Before he could drive, pro and college recruiters – baseball, football and basketball – were coming to Greenup County to watch him play at McKell High School. He skipped college and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1969. He played for the Reds for a few seasons before being picked up as a free agent by the New York Yankees.

During his pitching career, he won four consecutive World Series (1975, 1976 with the Reds; 1977, 1978 with the Yankees). His stats are available here. Gullett, suffering from shoulder injuries, retired from the game in 1979 and was released from the Yankees in 1980. He is enjoying retirement on a farm near his birthplace in South Shore.

NoD: Nor’eastern Kentucky

Nor’eastern Kentucky

Greenup County is the most northeastern county in Kentucky as the Ohio River makes up its eastern and northern border. So in true No Destination spirit, I set out to go on Kentucky’s most northeastern road. Turns out, that is Hardin Lane. Snow covered and a little icy (especially for my Honda Fit), the road was beautiful. It seemed completely isolated, its flat farmland match by the rolling hills of southern Ohio across the river.

Apparently, switch grass is grown on some of this farmland; while driving I heard on the radio that additional studies were needed to determine if this native vegetation is as efficient as coal as an energy source.

The map to the left shows where this road is – right off Route 23. Old tractors, chicken coops and other farming sites dot this little offroad. Check out my other flickr pictures of this little jaunt.

NoD: Shannoah

Shannoah Historic Marker, Greenup Co., Ky.

Following a flood destroying the Shannoah community on the north bank of the Ohio River, the Shawnee Indians came into Kentucky in 1750 and established a village by the same name. [*] At the time, the French laid claim to what would become central Kentucky as it claimed the entire Ohio River basin. Obviously, this would become one of the disputes between the French and the British which led to the French & Indian War.

Kentucky historic marker #31 reads:

First village in Kentucky built by Shawnee Indians and French traders. Visited in January 1751 by Christopher Gist, George Croghan, Andrew Montour, Robert Kallendar and a servant. Located on the site of an earlier Fort Ancient settlement, it stood 500 yards northwest of these Hopewell earthworks.

The journal of Christopher Gist is a significant resource that tells of the 1751 visit to Shannoah by Gist and his colleagues. He “killed a fat Bear” on March 6, 1750. Gist would later guide Major George Washington on missions during the French & Indian War.

At the time of Gist’s visit, inhabitants of Shannoah numbered 300 men in about 40 houses. [*]

NoD: U.S. Grant Bridge

U.S. Grant Bridge spans the Ohio River; Greenup County, Ky.

A spectacular bridge spans the Ohio River at South Portsmouth, Kentucky (and Portsmouth, Ohio) and carries U.S. 23 traffic to and from Kentucky. The current bridge opened to traffic on October 16, 2006, after five years of construction. The original U.S. Grant Bridge was built in 1927 and was demolished in 2001.

Named after General (and later the eighteenth President) Ulysses S. Grant, the bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that cost over $38 million to construct. The two-lane bridge is 2,155 feet in length. [*] Check out these other pictures of the US Grant Bridge!

NoD: Jesse Stuart

Jesse Stuart Memorial
Courthouse Lawn, Greenup, Ky.

On the county courthouse lawn of Greenup County sit a number of memorials. One of these is dedicated to Greenup County’s finest son, Jesse Stuart. Stuart was born in Riverton, Greenup Co. in 1907. He was named Kentucky’s poet laureate in 1954. At the time, and until 1990, poet laureates in Kentucky were selected by the General Assembly and held the title for life (since 1990, the Governor has annually named a poet laureate for the Commonwealth). [*]

Stuart famously said, “Write something to suit yourself and many people will like it; write something to suit everybody and scarcely anyone will care for it.” His poems, short stories and autobiographical sketches illustrate Kentucky’s people and places with vivid descriptions.

One of the classic Jesse Stuart’s is the Split Cherry Tree wherein a young boy is kept late at school for climbing and damaging a cherry tree. His uneducated father, upset that the youth wasn’t home to help with his chores, goes to the school to quarrel with the boy’s teacher. In the end, the father realizes the importance of education.

The marker on the courthouse lawn reads: “By your own soul’s law learn to live. / And if Men Thwart You, Take No Heed. / If Men Hate You, Have No Care. / Sing Your Song, Dream Your Dream. / Hope Your Hope and Pray Your Prayer.” Which is peculiar, as this poem is attributed not to Stuart but to Pakenham Beatty. (Anyone know the story on that???) Mr. Stuart died in 19984.