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April 28, 2005
Distinctive architecture
The countryside in and around Eastern Kentucky has a great deal to commend it. It is naturally beautiful, has some interesting history, and the architecture is also distinctive. This is, after all, horse country - the claim that it is the "Horse Capital of the World" is probably not at all far fetched. The horses around here are not your general run of the mill jobbing hacks; these are thoroughbreds that buyers come from far and wide to buy.
A typical turreted Horse Barn near Lexington
Driving around you soon notice the distinctive turreted buildings which could be mistaken for rather grand houses at first glance. Then you notice that they have several features that most houses don't. And then you learn that these are the famous "Horse Barns". All I can say is that the horses live in beautiful homes and want for nothing. Even the views are superb. But, I guees that if you are worth several million dollars to your owner/trainer, you would also be kept in this sort of luxury!
This is an area of contrasts, beauty in nature, beauty in the structures, beauty in the seasons. People passing on the Interstate 75 on their way to Florida from the North or driving home again, have really no idea of what they are missing!
Posted by The Gray Monk at April 28, 2005 10:50 AM
Comments
It may be the "Eastern" half of the state, but Lexington and its surrounds are "Central Kentucky", not "Eastern Kentucky". Eastern Kentucky is the part of the state generally east of the Winchester - Richmond north-south line.
The difference of course is socio-economical. Lexington and Central Kentucky are generally middle-class, farming (and now industrial) economy driven. Eastern Kentucky has always been relatively poor, with the economy driven primarily from mining (which is now nearly dead), and some influx now from services delivery (call centers, data processing, etc.)
Eastern Kentucky people are the poor hick relations of the Central Kentucky sophisticates, if you will. (I'm speaking as a poor Central Kentucky (former) farmer boy whose wife is from Eastern Kentucky.)
Posted by: Kentucky Packrat at April 29, 2005 12:42 AM
Thank you, sir, I stand corrected! Central it is - it just happens to be the home of Eastern Kentucky University!
Posted by: The Gray Monk at April 30, 2005 08:35 PM