Here Are The Oldest Photos Ever Taken In Kentucky And They're Incredible
Andrea Limke
Author
The history of Kentucky is interesting, intriguing, and important to learn from and preserve. While it’s nearly impossible to know which historic photos were the first ever taken of our state, we were able to round up several, all of which are over 100 years old. It’s exciting to be able to look back on our state and see images from the past that show how our state became what it is today! Check out these old photos of Kentucky, and maybe – just maybe – you’ll recognize a few still-standing icons.
1. This photo shows a group from the Civil War, Company D Fourth Kentucky Volunteers, who enlisted in 1861 in Louisville.
2. From the same period around 1862, this is a depiction of the Battle of Perryville in which Confederate soldiers defended the town from advancing Union soldiers.
3. This image was taken around 1900, on a snowy street in Columbus. It gives you a glimpse of what life was like back then in small-town Kentucky.
4. Here, a group stands outside a Methodist church in Hopkinsville in 1901. Hopkinsville was initially claimed in 1796 by Bartholomew Wood. Today it is a thriving town of 31,000 residents.
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5. We all know and love the aerial views of Louisville. This is a shot of how the city looked in 1910.
6. One of the most recognized buildings in Louisville, even today, the Seelbach Hotel was built in 1905. This photo shows it in all its grandness in 1910.
7. Any Wildcat fans? Do you recognize this place? This photo shows how the University of Kentucky looked in 1916. The University was founded in 1865.
8. This little one-room schoolhouse was just for African American students in 1916.
9. 1917 was a notable year for the Kentucky Derby. The winning horse, Omar Khayyam, was the first foreign-bred horse to win the Derby, having been foaled in England.
It’s interesting to think that in another 100 years, future generations will look back on photos of us and how we lived our lives in Kentucky. What are your thoughts on these old photos of Kentucky? What is your favorite piece of Kentucky history? Share with us in the comments!
For more old Kentucky photos, check out these old WWII photos! Or, for more Kentucky history, check out some of our favorite historical sites in Louisville. Then, check out one of the state’s many historic mansions right on the KY Bourbon Trail – and book a stay!
Learn more about Kentucky’s history as we dig into some of the unique terminology we use only in Kentucky:
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History Of Kentucky
What are some interesting things about Kentucky History?
As the 15th state admitted to become part of the United States we have a long history. Here are a few notable events and interesting historical places in Kentucky:
- Mantle Rock Nature Preserve, Joy, KY: This tiny town near the Illinois border has an interesting rock formation that played a significant role in Kentucky's history. Mantle Rock is a stone arch along the "Trail of Tears" - the route many Native Americans traveled when they were forced out of their ancestral lands in the 1800s. This 40-foot sandstone arch was used for shelter during the exodus.
- Boone Tunnel, Jessamine County, KY: Did you know Kentucky once had its own Brooklyn Bridge? The bridge opened in 1871 as a route for stage coaches to cross the Kentucky River between Jessamine and Mercer counties. The Boone Tunnel was created after the bridge was in place to make the curvy route safer. Unfortunately, in 1953 an overloaded food service truck tried to cross the bridge only to have it collapse. The Boone Tunnel was no longer used after a new bridge was constructed. Today it is one of many abandoned tunnels in Kentucky.
- Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown, KY: This old bar and restaurant was built in 1779 - it is now one of the most haunted places in Kentucky. With its long history, you can imagine the stories it can tell. One of our favorites is the story of Jesse James who may have had the very first ghost sighting in this establishment. The story goes, that he had returned to his room after a night of drinking when he reported seeing someone standing in his room. He let the lead fly from his six-gun, only to have the figure disappear. The bullet holes can still be seen in an old painting hanging in the room.
If you are curious about Kentucky History, these 10 things that happened long ago won't be found in any history books.