South of Lexington on US-27 is Jessamine County, named for Colonel George Nicholas, "The Father of the Kentucky Constitution." The downtown historic district includes the Old Jail Museum (free, Th 2-4, 606/885-4500) and several antique malls.
CIVIL WAR HISTORICAL MARKERS NEAR Jessamine County:
Camp Nelson (State Marker 1515, In park at Camp Nelson, US 27, Jessamine Co.)
Camp Nelson National Cemetery (State Marker 1610, Camp Nelson, US 27, Jessamine
Scenic views abound near our historic waterway. Jessamine County, considered the "Garden Area" of Central Kentucky with lush vegetation, rambling creeks and considerable Kentucky River frontage was documented in diaries and journals from its earliest settlements as a place of natural wonders.
High Bridge & High Bridge Pavilion
The first cantilever bridge in North America towers 280 feet over the Kentucky River. The engineering landmark was opened in 1877 and at that time was the highest bridge in North America and the highest railroad bridge in the world.
Valley View Ferry
"Turn back the clock" experience yesterday! The Valley View Ferry has been transporting people across the Kentucky River since 1785. It's where the history of the region began and where it is still alive. It's the oldest ferry west of the Appalachian mountains and Kentucky's oldest continuous business.
Camp Nelson & Camp Nelson Heritage Park
The Union Army located an important supply depot and recruitment station on the Kentucky River in Jessamine County. The imposing palisades of the Kentucky River provided a natural defense from Confederate raiders. Today tourists are delighted that the site is being developed into the Camp Nelson Heritage Park.
The Palisades
The Palisades are the majestic limestone cliffs bordering the Kentucky River between Frankfort on I-64 west of Lexington and Clays Ferry on I-75 east of Lexington. These are the oldest exposed rock formations in the state, rising 400 feet in some places, and supporting the highest concentration of rare plant species in Kentucky. Some of the most dramatic cliffs are found in the area surrounding the Jim Beam Nature Preserve, around Camp Nelson and High Bridge.
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