Bourbon County
Bourbon County
Bourbon County, Kentucky was named in gratitude to the French House of Bourbon, whose support during the American Revolution proved invaluable. Bourbon County has eight distinct communities: Cane Ridge, Centerville, Clintonville, Little Rock, Millersburg, North Middletown, Paris (the county seat), and Ruddles Mill. Paris’s charming downtown is anchored by its grand courthouse.
Bourbon County is home to some of the finest Thoroughbred horse farms in the world, including Adena Springs, Claiborne, Darley Stonerside, Greenwood Lodge, Hurricane Hills, Stone Farm, Stoneleigh, Stonereath, and Xalapa. Runnymede Farm, the Commonwealth’s oldest continually-operated Thoroughbred breeding operation, calls the county home.
A Storied Past
The Cane Ridge Meeting House is located just a few miles from Paris, the county seat. It is considered one of the most important and influential religious sites in American history.
The meeting house was built in 1791 and was used by several different denominations, including Presbyterians, Baptists, and Methodists. In 1801, a large revival meeting was held at the Cane Ridge Meeting House that drew an estimated 20,000 people over the course of several days. The revival is considered one of the largest and most significant religious gatherings in American history, and it helped to spark the Second Great Awakening, a period of intense religious revivalism in the United States.
The Duncan Tavern is a historic building located in Paris. Built in 1788, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city and has played an important role in the history of Kentucky.
Originally built as a stagecoach stop and inn, the Duncan Tavern became a popular gathering place for pioneers and politicians in the early days of Kentucky statehood. It was also used as a courthouse and a meeting place for various civic and social organizations.
The tavern was named after Major Joseph Duncan, who was one of the first settlers in Bourbon County and played an important role in the early history of Kentucky. It has hosted many notable guests over the years, including George Washington, James Madison, and the Marquis de Lafayette.
The Bourbon County Courthouse is a historic building constructed in 1902-1903 in the Beaux-Arts architectural style. It is located in the heart of downtown Paris, surrounded by other historic buildings and landmarks.
The courthouse is an impressive structure with a symmetrical facade and a large central dome that towers over the surrounding buildings. The building is constructed of limestone and features classical elements like columns, pilasters, and ornate cornices. The interior of the courthouse is equally impressive, with a grand central atrium and a large courtroom with a coffered ceiling and decorative plasterwork.