15 Reasons Why Anyone Who Hates Kentucky Can Just Shut Up
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Jenn Shockley
Author
The Bluegrass State is horribly underrated and underappreciated by those in other states. As a proud people, we grow to recognize Kentucky’s haters pretty easily. These unhappy individuals often cause us to ponder, “Why all the hate?” We have an abundance of beauty, culture and “unbridled spirit” to offer visitors and residents. Kentucky overflows with breathtaking nature scenes all across the state. Not to mention, we provided the world with some pretty unforgettable things and people. It seems unfathomable to me, but Kentucky’s haters still exist.
Research has shown few things stop Kentucky’s haters from hating… but here are 15 reasons our unbridled spirit flourishes:
We are one of only four states whose proper name starts with Commonwealth. The other states are Commonwealth of Virginia, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.
Henry Clay was a Secretary of State for 1825 to 1829 and Speaker in the House of Representatives for 3 terms in a row. He is known for his involvement in the War of 1812.
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We have Churchill Downs, home of the longest running horse race in the country. The Kentucky Derby began in 1875 and is renowned all around the globe. People travel across the country to attend a 2 minute race and party. This is our week long Mardi Gras.
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Both Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln were born less than 100 miles apart in Kentucky. When you think about it, that makes Kentucky the middle ground.
Edgar Cayce was born in Beverly on March 18, 1877 and became an influential mystic, prophet and author. His subject matter varied, with some being more on par than others. Cayce was given the nickname, "the Sleeping Prophet." He became quite renowned for his unique interpretations prior to his death in 1945.
Winchester is home to the creator of the renowned dipping sauce/spread Beer Cheese. It is also home to the annual Beer Cheese Festival coming June 11th, 2016. This creamy cucumber spread known as Benedictine was created in 1893 by Jennie Carter Benedict, late owner of Benedict’s in Louisville.
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Our population in its entirety is around 4,269,245. That people to land ratio is beautiful when compared with smaller states like Delaware, Massachusetts, and especially New Jersey, which has over 8 million residents alone. According to KY Tourism, our largest city is Louisville at 1,556,429 residents. Lexington is the second largest dropping to a mere 557,224 and Owensboro is third at 55,459. From that point they keep decreasing. Let us hope we stay this way.
There are many wonderful artists in the state in the realm of folk art and more. Many people don’t realize Scrooge McDuck, Donald and several of the other, now known as Disney Ducks, were once drawn by the renowned artist, Don Rosa of Louisville. Mr. Rosa is alive and well, traveling around the world doing his comic book style art to this day.
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Our agricultural heart beats strong in Kentucky. There are over 85,000 functioning farms with an average size of over 100 acres. Our leading industry is horses, but it is followed by chickens, cattle, tobacco, soybeans and corn, in that order. Our thoroughbred farm auctions are prestigious events where people fly in from all around the world to attend in hopes of getting a future, Kentucky Derby winner.
We may not be the birth place of Thomas Edison, but we are home to the first and largest installation of his incandescent light bulbs. At the Southern Exposition of 1884, the Louisville Board of Trade purchased and installed 5000 bulbs for the Expo’s exhibition hall and art gallery. That total was more than what the entire state of New York used at that time.
Kentucky is over 50% forest land that contains walnut, yellow poplar, sugar maple, hickory, white ash, beech, white oak and red oak. There are over 12.7 million acres of commercial forest land with plenty left over for people to enjoy as sanctuary.
We have over 1100 miles of navigable water in Kentucky. The Bluegrass State actually has more miles of running water than any state other than Alaska. Our beautiful waterways offer breathtaking views, good fishing, fun water activities and unforgettable memories.
Louisville born Hunter S Thompson is a renowned author, journalist, and the father of the term, Gonzo Journalism. His catch phrases and quotes travel across the Internet at a surprising rate. Many of us have known who he was and read his books for decades, others discovered him in, "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas." Either way, once you know who he is and read some of his works, you cannot help but to buy the ticket and take the ride to learn more. This likeness of Hunter is from a wall in Australia, as he was famous/infamous around the world.
2. Our diversity, offering unique areas from border to border.
1. Cumberland Falls, home of the most frequently seen moon bow in the Western Hemisphere.
These are just a few things that emanate Kentucky’s unbridled spirit, but there is so much more to love about the Bluegrass State. What would you suggest to make Kentucky’s haters see the light?
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