Royal Spring Park, Georgetown, Kentucky

The presence of a high quality natural spring, named Royal Spring, lead to founding of Georgetown.   To this day it is the main source of water in town, servicing more than 13,000 residents.  It is found in the downtown area, just off West Main Street.

A Baptist minister named Elijah Craig built a mill at the site and used the spring water to distill bourbon whiskey around 1789, aging it in charred oak barrels, making this likely the place bourbon was first created.

There are two log cabins on site, one built by a former slave named Milton Leach in 1874.  The site is a park and was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1973.  It was a cool day in early spring when we visited, but is said to be a popular spot in good weather.

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Marilyn Jones
30 days ago

It’s a great little town with an interesting history. There is a lot to see, including this little park. Excellent post.

30 days ago

Very interesting. Love the cabins.

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