River Towns of Central Kentucky (Images of America) - Softcover

Jurgensen, Melissa C.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738567051 ISBN 13: 9780738567051

Publisher: Arcadia Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

While hard to believe today, the banks of the Kentucky River were once home to bustling port villages and popular excursion destinations, the most popular of these being High Bridge. Local communities supported businesses that brought commerce to the area up into the early 20th century. However, with the expansion of the railroad, the days of the steamboat faded. Eventually automobiles outmoded the railroad and, over time, drew away from the winding highways along the river to more modern roads, a death knell for these riverside havens. This book will take you on a pictorial journey along the river through Tyrone, Oregon, Mundy’s Landing, Brooklyn, High Bridge, Camp Nelson, Valley View, and Clays Ferry. Along the way, it will introduce the interesting residents and visionaries that breathed life into these communities and helped to create their unique charm.

About this title

About the Author:

Louisville native Melissa C. Jurgensen is an author, executive legal secretary, and photographer. In addition, Melissa is webmaster of MelissaJurgensen.com and KyCoveredBridges.org. An extensive world traveler, she has maintained a lifelong interest in the history of communities in her home state of Kentucky. In 2006, Melissa received the commission of Kentucky colonel, the highest honor in Kentucky, from Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

Review:

Title: Looking Back: New book presents pictorial history of river towns

Author: Staff Writer

Publisher: The Advocate-Messenger

Date: 1/5/2009
A new book by Melissa C. Jurgensen, "River Towns of Central Kentucky," is a nostagic look at life along the Kentucky River, containing more than 200 vintage images. Incorporating oral histories from descendants of river community residents who helped the area prosper, the book is the story of the area on the banks of the Kentucky River, once home to bustling port villages and popular excursion destinations.
"River Towns of Central Kentucky" presents a pictorial journey along the river through Tyrone, Oregon, Mundy's Landing, Brooklyn, High Bridge, Camp Nelson, Valley View and Clays Ferry. Along the way, it introduces interesting residents and visionaries that breathed life into the communities and helped to create their unique charm.
Highlights:
* Historic landmarks whose fame once drew visitors from all over
* Steamboats that once played an essential role in the economy of areas around the river not just by carrying cargo, but also by bringing travelers on excursions to points along the river
* The way of life that once existed before modern-day conveniences in the river towns
* High Bridge and High Bridge Park and rebirth of both landmarks within the past decade
About the author:
Melissa Jurgensen, 32, is a native of Louisville and employed as an executive legal secretary. She also is a Kentucky historian and author with a focus on bridges and surrounding communities. She also wrote "Kentucky's Covered Bridges" with Arcadia Publishing in 2007.
"River Towns of Central Kentucky," is available at area bookstores, retailers and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888) 313-2665 or www.arcadiapublishing.com. Signed copies of the book are available at the Web site: MelissaJurgensen.com.

About this edition

• Publisher: Arcadia Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0738567051
• ISBN 13: 9780738567051
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128