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Bardstown, Kentucky

Population: 15,000
Located in Nelson County

Nelson County encompasses the best in historic preservation and charm, while at the same time invoking an environment for rapidly expanding local business opportunities. It's this combination and vision that has earned Bardstown several awards and distinctions including being named one of the "Best Small Towns in America." We were privileged in 2001 to help unveil the official Kentucky quarter featuring My Old Kentucky Home, our state shrine, located in our historic community.

Nelson County features economic diversity, ranging from a strong tourism base, with My Old Kentucky Home State Park and 25 festivals each year, to our growth-minded business climate, which includes being the home to a vibrant retail base and over 40 manufacturing operations including American Greetings.

Railroads have played a big role in Kentucky's history. From the Civil War to the shipment of Bourbon, trains were part of the economic fiber of early Kentucky. They were fundamental to the Bourbon industry when distilleries depended on them to deliver grain and ship Bourbon out to the world. At one time, there were 14 distilleries located on the tracks in Nelson County.

You can now return to a time when life was slower and "travel" meant a trip to the depot. Recapture the romance of the local passenger train when it was small-town America's link to the world. Today you can ride these same rails aboard original train cars pulled by a restored L&N steam locomotive. Or dine aboard original train cars pulled by a restored L&N steam locomotive. Or dine aboard a vintage 1940's dining car completely restored to its original beauty.

The "historic district", centered in the downtown area has sites such as St. Josephs Basilica which is the first catholic church west of the Allegany's and one of the first of three archdiocese in the United States; the Oscar Getz Museum of Whiskey history, and the Old Talbot Tavern which was a stage coach stop for travelers, famous and infamous, heading out west in the late 1700's.And, of course, the wonderful and famous My Old Kentucky Home mansion at Federal Hill. Frequently visited by the American composer Stephen Foster, it is said to be his inspiration for the state song. You can visit the mansion and it's gardens at Federal Hill in the day, and see the musical depicting the life of Stephen Foster and his music at the J Dan Talbot amphitheater that same night.

Another claim to fame for Bardstown is it being labeled as the "Bourbon Capital of the World." There are several distilleries in town and several others within a short drive. The popular Maker's Mark distillery is nestled in the hills and valleys just outside of town in Loretto and is a pleasurable and scenic tour. The world famous Jim Beam distillery is also very near and is a must for visitors to the Bardstown area. Whether it is just a tourist visit to the many attractions, a stopover at one of many bed and breakfast's, or a business trip to the City's ever-growing industrial parks, Bardstown has it all. A community rich in pride and richer in hospitality.

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