A Kentucky Hidden Gem - Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
Deep within the northern reaches of Boone County lies the hidden Kentucky gem of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. One of the few early 19th century Ohio River towns left in America, Rabbit Hash maintains its eclectic charms. The United States Post Office built on January 3, 1879 originally deemed the village "Carleton, Kentucky. Yet residents soon found many travelers mistaken the village for Carrolton, Ky. Several stories abound concerning how Rabbit Hash received its name. Robert Rennerick, author of "Kentucky Place Names" retells an explanation A.M. Yearley wrote in his 1960 "History of Boone County". He writes of two salt or fur traders:
"During the flood of 1816, two travelers were looking for something to eat. When they asked about the availability of food they were told that because the flood drove so many rabbits into the hills, there were plenty of rabbits available to make hash."
Another version, taken place thirty two years before the post office changed the name of the town stipulates during the Christmas Day flood of 1847, due to the two feet deep snow, combined with extreme cold residents had to take shelter with their neighbors. With no food to eat and hunger rampant they began to speak of the animals they would have hunted for Christmas Dinner. They spoke of geese, hens, and other animals. When asked with Frank would have served he simply replied, "Rabbit Hash."
One local resident told me the town was named after a local flood. The residents were starving. They looked to the Ohio River when they saw several dead rabbits floating on top. They residents had Rabbit Hash thus the name stuck.
Whatever the reasoning behind the town's name, Rabbit Hash has enjoyed a cooperative relationship with is sister city across river. Built in 1813, Rabbit Hash sits upon the Kentucky shore across the Ohio River from Rising Sun, Indiana. Established in 1814, Rising Sun enjoyed the benefits of transriver commerce. During the riverboat era's Rabbit Hash tried to conduct itself a port yet due to sandbars and shallow water, so shallow you could cross the Ohio River by foot, the town abandoned their hopes. Riverboats made their way through Boone county with a stop at Rising Sun, Indiana. The across river traffic brought several benefits and amenities to Rabbit Hash permanently connecting the two towns.
Like most Ohio River front towns, Rabbit Hash has seen its fair share of flooding. Along the exterior wall of the mercantile building flood gauges mark the height of each flood. Standing 6 foot tall, the flood of 1773 and another flood towered over my head. It serves not only a historical reminder to the dangers of building a town so close to the river but a gentle mark of heritage. Although, Rabbit Hash located 506.1 miles below Pittsburg life along the Ohio River can traumatic and peaceful for any resident or visitor.
Rabbit Hash General Store lies at the center of the historic town. The building surrounding the town contains a wide variety of antiques and oddities any collector would love. Due to the historical society proprietorship and marked National Register District all buildings maintain their 18th century glamour. Although the building contains running water and electricity nothing else is changed. You feel as if you've entered an early 19th century frontier Kentucky town. Built in 1831, the Rabbit Hash General Store hails the oldest building on the 33acres linear rural village. It contains several unique items including soft drinks, teas and food items. The Rabbit Hash General Store has continuously been a working general store since its establishment.
Deep within the northern reaches of Boone County lies the hidden Kentucky gem of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky. One of the few early 19th century Ohio River towns left in America, Rabbit Hash maintains its eclectic charms. The United States Post Office built on January 3, 1879 originally deemed the village "Carleton, Kentucky. Yet residents soon found many travelers mistaken the village for Carrolton, Ky. Several stories abound concerning how Rabbit Hash received its name. Robert Rennerick, author of "Kentucky Place Names" retells an explanation A.M. Yearley wrote in his 1960 "History of Boone County". He writes of two salt or fur traders:"During the flood of 1816, two travelers were looking for something to eat. When they asked about the availability of food they were told that because the flood drove so many rabbits into the hills, there were plenty of rabbits available to make hash."
Another version, taken place thirty two years before the post office changed the name of the town stipulates during the Christmas Day flood of 1847, due to the two feet deep snow, combined with extreme cold residents had to take shelter with their neighbors. With no food to eat and hunger rampant they began to speak of the animals they would have hunted for Christmas Dinner. They spoke of geese, hens, and other animals. When asked with Frank would have served he simply replied, "Rabbit Hash."
One local resident told me the town was named after a local flood. The residents were starving. They looked to the Ohio River when they saw several dead rabbits floating on top. They residents had Rabbit Hash thus the name stuck.
Whatever the reasoning behind the town's name, Rabbit Hash has enjoyed a cooperative relationship with is sister city across river. Built in 1813, Rabbit Hash sits upon the Kentucky shore across the Ohio River from Rising Sun, Indiana. Established in 1814, Rising Sun enjoyed the benefits of transriver commerce. During the riverboat era's Rabbit Hash tried to conduct itself a port yet due to sandbars and shallow water, so shallow you could cross the Ohio River by foot, the town abandoned their hopes. Riverboats made their way through Boone county with a stop at Rising Sun, Indiana. The across river traffic brought several benefits and amenities to Rabbit Hash permanently connecting the two towns. 
Like most Ohio River front towns, Rabbit Hash has seen its fair share of flooding. Along the exterior wall of the mercantile building flood gauges mark the height of each flood. Standing 6 foot tall, the flood of 1773 and another flood towered over my head. It serves not only a historical reminder to the dangers of building a town so close to the river but a gentle mark of heritage. Although, Rabbit Hash located 506.1 miles below Pittsburg life along the Ohio River can traumatic and peaceful for any resident or visitor. Rabbit Hash General Store lies at the center of the historic town. The building surrounding the town contains a wide variety of antiques and oddities any collector would love. Due to the historical society proprietorship and marked National Register District all buildings maintain their 18th century glamour. Although the building contains running water and electricity nothing else is changed. You feel as if you've entered an early 19th century frontier Kentucky town. Built in 1831, the Rabbit Hash General Store hails the oldest building on the 33acres linear rural village. It contains several unique items including soft drinks, teas and food items. The Rabbit Hash General Store has continuously been a working general store since its establishment.
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