What makes Shelbyville landmarks so special is the way history and present are almost unnoticed, while I stroll through the headstone paved streets. The city was founded in 1792, named after Isaac Shelby, the first governor of Kentucky, and has since survived more than a few scratches from time – from civil war to modern suburbanizations that surround Louisville. I feel that every old half-timbered house carries a small piece of pride from the early Republic, and yet the whole village is permeated by a light, almost bored charm that makes me sneak every time I study the old town plans.
When you arrive here, take the I‐64, which borders directly on the heart of the township, or the US‐60, which leads you through the Shelby County's rural braid – both are well signposted and lets you slide into the city without much lift. I prefer to park on the edge to enjoy the short but fine pedestrian paradise that extends between the cafes and the small but fine business district. There, between an old bakery, which still has the aroma of freshly baked bread, and a modern co-working space, one feels the real essence of Shelbyville: a mix of tradition and easy progression, which is not as cheesy as one would expect from small towns in the Middle West.
A short detour to the County Courthouse, a building that has been the centre of local life for over a century, gives you a good overview of why the residents here are so proud of their “Shelbyville Sights” – and why, despite my light cynicism, I take home a bit more of it each time.
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Advantage:
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The old railway shed on the outskirts of Shelbyville, which I accidentally discovered on the way to a friend, is actually just a rusty box, but it serves me as a perfect starting point for a small road trip to the surroundings.
Only about 20 km south Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. I have to admit, I was skeptical if a forest really has something to offer, but the paths there are so well maintained that you almost have the feeling of walking through a museum outdoors. Parking is easily possible on the main parking lot as long as you do not come on Saturday night – then this becomes a real patience game. As I swept through the tree alley, I suddenly heard a squirrel, which boldly nucleated my shoe – a small but unforgettable moment that reminded me that nature not only provides photo motifs but real encounters.
A short trip to Harrodsburg (about 30 km) leads to Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. There are no hip cafes, but original preserved shaker houses and a museum that brings you closer to the life of the community without too much moralizing. I tried an old wooden chair there that was so shaky that I almost thought he wanted to test me – no joke, that was a real balance adventure. Parking is at the entrance, and the village is so compact that you can explore everything on foot.
Further north, about 45 km away, the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville. I understand the hype about the president yes, but the small log house in which he was born still impressed me – not because of its size, but because it is so well preserved that you can hear almost the crack of the old fireplace, although the whole thing was naturally restored modernly. The parking lot is small, so better be there early, otherwise you have to walk a piece.
A bit further east, almost halfway to Lexington, this is Perryville Battlefield State Historical Site. I made a picnic there while I tried to trace the battle lines – that's easier to say than done if you don't jong with cards every day. The visitor centers are minimal, there is a well-signed hiking trail network that shows you the battlefield in manageable stages. Practical: There is a free car park, which is quickly full on sunny days.
If you're close to Lexington, you can Kentucky Horse Park do not leave. I was there because I thought it was just a huge stable, but the terrain is a real leisure paradise for horse lovers and – skeptics alike. The shows are spectacular, and the visitor centre offers interactive exhibits that even entice someone like me who can hardly distinguish a horse from a donkey. Parking is free at the main parking lot as long as you don't want to camp there all weekend.
A small trip to Woodford Reserve Distillery (about 35 km northeast) completes the whole. I made a guided tour there that told more about the art of burning than I expected – and that with a glass of its famous bourbon that you don't just get. The parking lot is large, but the numbers of visitors are rising fast, so better to be there early if you don't want to stand in the snake.
If you are looking for a mix of nature, history and a bit of spirit culture, then they are Shelbyville Attractions in the area just the right thing – a bit off but full of surprises that you don't find in every guide.
The history of Shelbyville begins long before the first highway sign I have ever overlooked, and I swear that the city still carries the smell of old wood and fresh corn flour in the air. I came past my buddy Tom for the first time, because we wanted to plan a “authentic” Kentucky road trip, and when I went to Main Street, I realized that more than just a few rusted tractors can be seen here.
My personal favorite spot is that Shelby County Courthouse, an imposing brick building dating back to 1845, throning in the heart of the city. The façade is so magnificent that I almost forgot that the interior looks a bit like a museum of dusty files – but that is just the certain something. Parking is usually easy as long as you don't arrive on Saturday night, then the road turns into a parking-mosh-site. I once experienced a spontaneous street musician’s duet with an old man in a cylinder that brought the whole hall to the chick.
A short walk further leads you to Historic Districtwhere every alley seems to tell a small chapter from the past. The old shop fronts, which still advertise with handwritten signs, have something romantic that I rarely find in modern cities. I discovered a café there that supposedly serves the best peppercake salad – no joke, the stuff was almost too good to be true. If you ask where you can turn off your bike: there are a few public stands, but be ready to push a bit because the places are quickly occupied.
For a little green and fresh air I recommend the Shelbyville Park. The small lake there is perfect for a picnic, and the trails are so well maintained that I almost thought I had landed in a golf resort – until I saw the children who shouted loudly “I am the king of Shelbyville!”. I started a spontaneous Frisbee tournament there with a few locals; the result was a bunch of laughing people and a lost dog who finally returned the ball.
If you're in town on weekends, you'll be allowed to Shelbyville Farmers Market do not miss. Every Saturday, Main Street turns into a colorful collection of fresh vegetables, handmade craftsmanship and the distinctive smell of fried Corn Dogs. I tried a piece of homemade apple cake there, which was so good that I almost recovered the money for the piece – but then the seller gave me a second piece because she realized that I was a real gourmet.
Another must among Shelbyville Attractions the History Museum, which is located in a former railway depot. The exhibition is not exactly spectacular, but the old locomotives and the photos of horse breeders from the 1900s give you a real feeling for the heart of the region. I found an old map there that shows how the city was once traversed by horse cars – a nice piece of nostalgia that reminds you that not all is always asphalt.
For readers there are Shelbyville Public Library, a cozy building with a corner full of local literature. I borrowed a book about the history of Kentucky-Bourbon distilleries that I later read in a bar by the river – a perfect mix of education and relaxation. Wi-Fi is fast enough to answer some emails if you want to work on your blog.
And at the end, if you have the need to do some sport, look at the Shelbyville Golf Course on. The place is not exactly a PGA-Turnier estate, but the fairways are well maintained and the view of the surrounding landscape is a real eye-catcher. I once played a 9-hole tournament with a few locals; the result was a bunch of lost balls and a new friend who later gave me a self-made BBQ sandwich – a real Kentucky touch.
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