Bluegrass Paradise : Royal Spring and the Birth of Georgetown, Kentucky

In the earliest days of the United States as settlers made their way west and into what would eventually become Kentucky, they were faced with many challenges in the task of surveying and claiming new and unknown land.

Among the highest priorities for new residents was to determine if their chosen homestead could provide the fertile soil and fresh water they needed to sustain life and service their agricultural needs. Kentucky, with its underlying base of predominantly limestone rock―perfectly suited to the natural formation of caves, sinking streams, and springs of cool water―proved the ideal location on which to build their new lives.

In Bluegrass Paradise: Royal Spring and the Birth of Georgetown, Kentucky, author Gary A. O'Dell tells the story of the Royal Spring, the largest spring in central Kentucky. Practical and essential to the creation of a successful settlement, the spring and its location became the primary reason pioneers would eventually congregate here and found the city of Georgetown as one of the earliest Kentucky communities. In the ensuing 250 years, the Royal Spring has faithfully served the water needs of the community and the locale remains a cherished cultural and historical asset that provides greenspace within a rapidly growing city.

Gary A. O'Dell is a professor of Geography at Morehead State University. In 2020 he was the recipient of Morehead State University's "Distinguished Scholar" award as well as the Hauer Award in history from the National Speleological Society. He was formerly appointed by the governor as Kentucky State Geographer in 2014.