Introduction to the Bluegrass Region

Introduction to the Bluegrass Region

The 16 counties that make up Central Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region are known for their world-class landscape, from expansive farmland bordered by iconic rock fences to rolling hills to limestone cliffs.  But the region has more to offer than stunning beauty – much more.

  It’s the site of the first three settlements in Kentucky:  Harrodsburg in Mercer County (June, 1774); Boonesborough in Madison County (April, 1775) and Lexington in Fayette County (June, 1775).

  The region has both the state capital (Frankfort) and the state’s flagship university (Lexington.)

  It is home to the Thoroughbred Capital of the World (Lexington), and is a leading producer of bourbon, Kentucky’s other signature industry (Anderson, Franklin and Woodford counties).

  Some of the commonwealth’s culinary specialties come from the Bluegrass Region.  Bourbon balls were first introduced by Rebecca Ruth Candies in Frankfort.  Beer Cheese is synonymous with Winchester in Clark County, while spoonbread is the most popular dish at Berea’s Boone Tavern in Madison County.

  Lawrenceburg in Anderson County claims the title of Kentucky’s Burgoo Capital.  Although there’s no actual documentation that the state’s most famous stew originated here, that hasn’t stopped Lawrenceburg from hosting a Burgoo Festival every fall.

  There is no doubt, however, about where the Folk Art and Craft Capital of Kentucky is – Berea in Madison County, with its array of studios, galleries and the Kentucky Artisan Center.

  The Bluegrass Region is a study in contrasts.  It is the place where war was waged – the Civil War Perryville Battlefield in Boyle County and the Battle of Richmond Battlefield in Madison County – and peace prevailed – Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in Mercer County, the largest restored Shaker community in the United States.

  It is a region of “firsts” and “onlys.”  Boyle County was the original site of the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains (Transylvania), and Jessamine County boasts the first commercial vineyard planted in America (First Vineyard Winery).  The Kentucky Horse Park, on the boundary of Fayette and Scott Counties is the only park in the world dedicated exclusively to the horse.

  Finally, history’s heroes and villains alike  left their mark here.  Daniel Boone, Abraham Lincoln, Henry Clay, Cassius Marcellus Clay, John Hunt Morgan, and Jesse and Frank James were just a few who cut a swath through the Bluegrass Region.

  Come and see this remarkable region through the things that have made it famous.