Tour of Route 1

Greenup County is one of Kentucky's largest counties. Daniel and I have lived here most of our lives and are still not familiar with the forgotten western, most rural, part. On our mission to better understand where we live, and the history of where came from we looked to the Greenup County tourism website (http://www.tourgreenupcounty.com/Attractions.htm).

Leaving at 1pm we had our lunch packed and our two little ones strapped in. We decided that we'd have a picnic at the Oldtown Covered Bridge, one of the last two remaining covered bridges in Greenup County. The Oldtown Covered Bridge is about 9 miles south (towards Grayson) from Greenbo Lake State Resort Park; turn left on Frazer Branch, the bridge is on the left. After we ate, we crossed the bridge and found a small little path that led to the Little Sandy River. This was Aiden and Imagin's favorite part; getting their feet wet in the water. Surprisingly this part of the river was quite clear, with a good flow; you could see muscle shells and fish swimming.

After spending a good 45 minutes at the Bridge, we headed towards the Hopewell Bridge (an Eastern Kentucky [EK] Railroad bridge). Yes, Hopewell is a small town in Greenup County! Continuing south on Rt. 1 drive until you meet 3306; before crossing a small bridge, make a sharp left. The Hopewell Bridge crosses the Little Sandy River and has only one lane.


Going back north on Rt.1, turn left on Laurel Road (we couldn't find the marker and that's how we ended on at Hopewell first!). Here is Lucy Virgin Downs grave site (1,000 feet west of the marker). Lucy was the first white child born of American parents, west of the Allegheny Mountains. Mrs. Lucy Virgin Downs was a resident of Oldtown, Greenup County, from 1807 until her death in 1847.

To a surprise Laurel Road is also the site of Laurel Furnace (one of the many iron furnaces in our area). We were surprise, because this was NOT on the Greenup Conty Tourism website. The Laurel Furnace has a market near that of Lucy Virgin Downs. To get to the furnace, the first split bear left, second split bear left. The furnace is on the right. The furnace was carved from one block of stone cliff! If you continue down the road, you will see an amazing sight of cliffs! Whoever lives there truly has a unique and beautiful landscape!

By this time the kids were worn out and were ready to get out of the car, so we headed to the babysitters (Daniel's parents) so that we could get ready for a round of Sunday kickball.