The hemp highway of kentucky

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von Daniel Isenstein

Cannabis tourism at the next level

Places around the world have unique “hempstories” to tell. The Hemp Highway of Kentucky explores the past, present and future of hemp in the state of Kentucky. Connecting several of Kentucky’s roadside historical markers into a metaphorical highway of hemp, travelers experience an adventure through space and time. Here are a few the off ramps along the Hemp Highway.

Boyle County: The Story begins

In 1775 Archibald McNeill registered Kentucky’s first hemp crop near modern day Danville. McNeill likely came to Kentucky along the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap, the trail blazed by frontier legend Daniel Boone. McNeill’s crop is commemorated on the grounds of the Boyle County Courthouse in Danville on the “First Crop” marker.

Further explore Ketucky’s frontier history at Constitution Square a 3 acre park featuring several original frontier buildings, 3 blocks east of the courthouse. While downtown, Danville’s Bluegrass Pizza Pub is a great place for a pie and a pint. The rope motif window moldings above the restaurant often signified connections to the hemp industry.

Boone Creek Mill Ruins

Fayette County: Center of a Hempire

The “Fayette County Hemp” marker is missing. Once located by the Civil War Era hemp barn near the intersection of Newtown Pike and Iron Works Pike. It tells the tale of the first millionaire west of the Allegheny mountains, hemp industrialist John Wesley Hunt and his partner John Stuart Brand. Hunt’s home in Lexington, Hopemont, is open for public tours.

Several public attractions weave together Lexington’s hemp narrative. Ashland, the estate of Senator Henry Clay, was home to one of the nation’s most influential antebellum statesman. Clay was involved in the hemp industry at several levels, as a grower, industrialist and advocate. His “American System” included protections and incentives for America’s hemp industry. The Waveland state historic site ties the Daniel Boone narrative to the hempstory of central Kentucky. Daniel Boone Bryan, Daniel’s nephew, originally settled the property in 1786. The estate was named “Waveland” for the waves of hemp and flax surrounding the home. A second marker involving hemp, focuses on Confederate General John Hunt Morgan. Prior to the Civil War, Morgan owned a textile mill that produced hempen goods. At the outbreak of hostilities his factory raised the Confederate flag and started making grey uniforms. In 2017 the marker and Morgan’s statue were removed from the old courthouse square. His statue was moved to the Confederate burial ground in the Lexington Cemetery. The historical marker is yet to be relocated. Lexington-Fayette offers most exciting adventure on the Hemp Highway. Boone Creek Outdoors is a zip line canopy tour located in southern Fayette county. The tour zips guests on an aerial exploration of the Boone Creek gorge. Guests zip over one of the earliest industrial sites in the Kentucky. In the early 1790’s Eli Cleveland established an integrated industrial site that included boatyards, warehouses and a mill that processed flour, lumber and hemp. Tours last 2-3 hours, all training and safety gear are provided. Special walking tours into the gorge give visitors the opportunity to examine the mill ruins up close.

Clark County: Hemp for Victory

Kentucky’s only WWII “Hemp for Victory” era hemp mill called Winchester in Clark County home. Completed in 1943 the mill processed 1 crop before the end of the war. This important narrative is captured on the marker “Clark County Hemp”. Visit the Bluegrass History Museum to learn Clark County’s hempstory. Specializing in local artifacts, the hemp exhibit features a hemp brake, original “Hemp for Victory” artifacts, photographs and business documents.

Bourbon County Rotunda

Clark County has the most unique agritourism experience on the Hemp Highway. The adventure begins at Wildcat Willie's farm to table restaurant. Located in a restored church building in historic downtown Winchester, the high ceilings and arched windows create a heavenly atmosphere. Entrees, side dishes and desserts are always bursting with flavor, made from the finest organic meats and vegetables sourced from nearby Mt. Folly Farm. After dinner retire outside to the patio and enjoy the moonshine. Yes, Winchester offers amazing views of earth’s nearest celestial neighbor, but try the sweet potato moonshine for which the restaurant is named, it’s the perfect Kentucky nightcap. Visitors can spend the night in Mt. Folly Farm’s log cabin bed and breakfast. Constructed around 1792, the cabin has been fully restored with modern amenities. The organic farm is open to explore, book at the right time and see the ripe hemp used in products for Laura's Mercantile. Highlighting the fall calendar is Winchester’s Hemp Harvest Festival. The annual event celebrates hemp’s past, present and future. Drawing attendees from across the country the festival is a celebration of everything hemp.

Bourbon County: Steeped in Hemp

Paris, in Bourbon County, is a beautiful small town in the heart of horse country with a great hempstory. One side of their historic marker tells the story of Bourbon County Hemp, the other side has the story of the historic Alexander House. Pleasanton Goods, a coffee shop and boutique, now inhabits the home of William W Alexander, whose father owned a hemp factory until the mid-1850’s. Pleasanton Goods is a great home base for your day trip into Paris. Among the tasty treats you’ll find there are locally produced Nature's Rhythm CBD infused products from nearby Garey Farms. Any downtown walking tour must include a visit to the Bourbon County courthouse. The courthouse rotunda features a four-panel mural representing Kentucky’s seasonal agricultural bounty. Winter is represented by laborers breaking hemp. The Hopewell Museum, a great place to learn about regional history and the development of Bourbon County, is just around the corner from Pleasanton Goods.

Scott County: Elijah Craig's vision

The “Hemp in Scott County” marker is all about Elijah Craig, undisputed founder of Georgetown. Reverend Craig opened one of the regions earliest ropewalks in 1789. He is also credited as one of the inventors of bourbon. Scott County’s hempstory is more than Elijah Craig. Ward Hall, a state historic site, was the vacation home of hemp industrialist Junius Ward and his wife Matilda. The home is a reminder of the incredible wealth hemp generated prior to the Civil War. The Georgetown and Scott County Museum, in the old post office, is a great to begin your visit to Georgetown.

Jefferson: Lincoln, hemp and slavery

Jefferson County is where the narrative of Kentucky’s sad legacy with slavery is woven directly into state’s hempstory. The marker at Farmington Historic Plantation twists several narrative threads. Abraham Lincoln spent three weeks in 1841 visiting the family of his friend, Joshua Speed. The plantation where they raised hemp enslaved 64 people. After observing the cruelty and inhumanity of slavery up close Lincoln commits to ending it. One Love Hemp Dispensary also calls Louisville home. Located on the hip retail corridor, Bardstown Rd., One Love was Louisville’s first independent hemp dispensary. One Love features Louisville’s first CBD “dab bar”. The relaxed, easy going environment and knowledgeable staff make a visit to One Love a must.

Franklin County: River story

Frankfort, the state capital, has a couple of hemp related markers. The “Franklin County Hemp” marker is located in the parking lot of Jim's Seafood. Jim’s is built on the foundation of Kentucky River Mills, the last hemp mill operating in Kentucky. Kentucky River Mills was featured in the film “Hemp for Victory”. The waiting area features artifacts and a display about the hemp mill that was in operation from 1878-1952. The “Leestown” marker, located near the entrance to Buffalo Trace distillery, commemorates an early industrial center near where the distillery is now located. Originally commissioned by the State of Virginia, Leestown was one of the territory’s earliest shipping ports. A vital early commercial center, Leestown had an early hemp factory to support the boatyards.

Woodford County: Midway

The Kentucky-Illinois Hemp Company is the topic of the “Woodford County Hemp” marker. Opened in 1940, the Kentucky-Illinois Hemp Co is the “mill near Versailles” shown 9 and a half minutes into the film “Hemp for Victory”. Woodford county is also home to the charming town of Midway. The small downtown is alive with boutiques and fine dining. Once a busy rail hub, Midway was a shipping point for hemp heading to market. According to local historian William Penn, proprietor of the Historic Midway Museum Store, in 1864 Midway shipped 636,000 LBs of hemp. The Midway Boutique, on the corner of Winter and Main was once a warehouse for hemp, tobacco and wool.

Mt. Folly Farm cabin

Jessamine County:

The “Jessamine County Hemp” marker, located at the courthouse on Main St, does not do the county’s rich hemp history justice. Like most of the state, hemp production in Jessamine county peaked in the 1840’s. However, the county remained active in the hemp industry long after the Civil War. Adjacent to the courthouse sits a recently renovated hemp warehouse built by E.R. Sparks in 1881.

The KY CBD Farmacy, a locally owned and operated dispensary offers only the finest Kentucky sourced products as well as its own line of CBD based health and beauty products.

Harrison County: Hemp days

Harrison County hosts one of the region’s best hemp events. The first weekend in June Cynthiana invites visitors to celebrate Hemp History Week and the new planting season by hosting Kentucky Hemp Days.

Rocky Ridge Hemp Company in Cynthiana features products made from hemp grown on Rocky Ridge Farm. In 2020 the elevated tourist has travel options. Those seeking adventure should turn off the interstate and turn on to the Hemp Highway of Kentucky.