Somerset Kentucky 2020

I filmed around Somerset a few years ago, then didn't do anything with what I filmed.  I figured after the recent tornado that went through Somerset, someone might find some value in what I filmed, so here it is.

Mellow Mushroom Somerset Kentucky

I know its a bit of a chain, but I love getting to visit the Mellow Mushroom in Somerset.

International Paranormal Museum in Somerset Kentucky- last day open!

The International Paranormal Museum and Research Center in Somerset closed on 11/16/2024.  Hopefully, they will find a new home soon- but we stopped by on that last day to see it one more time!

International Paranormal Museum and Research Center Somerset Kentucky 02...

Oh man, we finally made it to the International Paranormal Museum and Research Center in Somerset Kentucky!  AND, they are about to move to a new location down the street, so we were able to see it at its original location!

I was really impressed...  the place is fascinating, and they are doing a lot with their space....  Check out my video!

Nancy Kentucky Battlefield June 2021

 Oh man, the citizens of the small town of Nancy Kentucky have several cool things that many bigger areas don't have.  They have a Civil War Battlefield that is now managed by the National Park Service AND they have a super cool coffee shop!

I have brought this area up before, and I am sure I will again because I really enjoy this area.

Also, in this video, I cover some ground I missed in my first youtube video on the area.....

Mill Springs Kentucky and Battlefield Coffee Co. in Nancy KY May 2021

 

I have posted video on the Battle of Mill Springs before, but here is a bit more to go with it........

Baxter's Coffee South in Somerset Kentucky

I've been to one of the Baxter's Coffee locations in Somerset several times, but I recently got to visit the South location.

Baxter's definitely gets coffee right and I really enjoy the taste of their java.  Plus, both of the locations are perfectly cozy.

If you are near Somerset skip the chain places and support a great little local place!

Hank Hill at Eastern Welding Supply in Somerset Kentucky

I wanted to post a couple of cool pics we took in front of Eastern Welding Supply in Somerset Kentucky.

That's a goateed Hank Hill letting us know that they sell propane and propane accessories.

President Trump in Richmond Kentucky

So, we made plans a while back to spend some time in Somerset this past weekend.  We then heard about President Trump's visit to Richmond.  We briefly thought about rescheduling our trip, and avoiding the Richmond area for the weekend.  Nothing against Trump, it's just that a presidential visit can really screw up traffic.  We were in Austin Texas a few years ago and actually totally changed our plans when we found out that President Obama would be coming through.  You just don't want to be on the roads when a president and their entourage are going to be around.

I had hear that doors would be opened for the Richmond event at 4, and Trump's appearance would be at 7.  So, we were in Somerset finishing things up maybe around 4.  We had planned to take 27 all the way back to Lexington, but then we thought that any traffic issues near Richmond should be cleared up by the time we drove through....  so we decided to drive back home on I-75.

So we drove north on 75.  We did start to notice that there was no traffic going south.  None.  AND, as we passed the Richmond exits, we saw where cops were holding up traffic there too.

There really wasn't a lot of traffic going north either...  and, other than a few other cars here and there, we felt like we had the road to ourselves.  We did notice a few clusters of people here and there standing in business parking lots watching the road.

We did see a couple of cop cars speeding south at one point...  and then maybe five minutes later we noticed a HUGE cluster of vehicles, moving fast and with emergency lights all around.  A cluster of motorcycles was followed closely by black SUVs, with an obvious PRESIDENTIAL LIMO in the mix, followed by a couple of ambulances!

The vehicles were moving fast, but there was no doubt about it!  We had just watched President Trump go by us!

We did exit in Lexington, and you could see where traffic had been held up for the President.  We very well could have been held up in traffic ourselves under different circumstances, but we ended up having a nice drive home...  and seeing the Presidential limo as we made our way north.

Also, I have added a couple of photos a friend took of President Trump actually at the Richmond event.

Haney's Appledale Farm in Nancy Kentucky

We discovered Haney's while visiting the Mill Springs Battlefield recently in Nancy (close to Somerset).

Somerset is a nice town to stop for a day, and so is Nancy.  Sure, it is smaller, but there is enough going on for a pleasant day trip or longer.  Seeing the Civil War battlefield, and stopping here for some snacks sounds like a great day.

Man, we loved this place!  We picked up some of their bottled items that they make and a couple of their apple pies.  Everything tasted fresh and delicious!

I love their market area, which is in a nicely organized and roomy garage!  It was fun just looking around at all they had to offer!

We are already talking about another trip to the area soon, and I can't wait to enjoy some apple pastries as we do the battlefield driving tour!

Battle of Mill Springs near Somerset KY

The Somerset area is kind of growing on me!  This is a nice and different area, and I am always finding interesting stuff to do down there!

I just found out about the VERY cool Battle of Mill Springs Visitor Center that is in Nancy, just a few miles outside of Somerset.

The battle occurred on January 19th, 1962 and it was the first major Union victory in the war.  This battle has become known- in a semi-martyr kind of way- for the death of Confederate General Felix Zollicoffer.


There are variations to the story, but, during a bit of confusion, Zollicoffer is shot and died.  This occurred near a tree which went on to be known as the Zollie Tree.

A young girl named Dorotha Burton started a tradition of placing a wreath around this tree in 1902.  This tradition has continued.  The actual tree was pretty much taken out by a storm in 1995.  A new tree (a seedling from the original) has replaced it.

What was left of the original tree is now in the Battle of Mill Springs Visitor Center.  They also sell small pieces of the tree in the gift shop for a buck.

The actual visitor center is spectacular.  For $5, you can see a great film on the battle, and an amazing amount of relics.

Speaking of relics, THAT is what I want to see at a museum like this.  Actual items from that period of time, and from the actual Battle of Mill Springs.  This museum had plenty. 

After seeing the film, and visiting the museum, we started the driving tour of the battlefield area.  There are 10 stops, and each one is clearly marked, with signs explaining what happened at that stop.  We were given a very clear and easy to follow map at the visitor center too!

We made it to 8 stops on the driving tour.  The last 2 are a little further out, thanks to the Cumberland River.  We will save those for another day.

Somerset Mall

I love malls, especially ones with a retro feel (then again, these days almost all of them are).

This mall is still attractive and clean, and it looked to me like they are keeping it up nicely.  It also appeared that the locals appreciate it, as businesses looked busy.

They had a very classic looking arcade and a nice bookstore that I liked very much.  The bookstore looked to be an old Walden's that stayed open after Waldens' closed.  I don't think I have seen a similar arcade or bookstore in some time.  In fact, I would travel back to this mall just to go to the arcade and bookstore.

Simply Cupcakes in Somerset

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Simply-Cupcakes-of-Somerset-KY/173855162687264

On our drive through Somerset we stopped by Simply Cupcakes!

This is a cool local business doing something with style and passion.  You should definitely stop here if you are in Somerset.

I forgot to get a photo of the cupcakes but they were great!

Baxters Coffee in Somerset

I love any business named after the family dog!

I kind of found Baxter's in Somerset by accident on a road trip recently.

The coffee shop is in an old house, and it feels very homey.  It is very comfortable, and it is definitely a relaxing place to stop for some coffee.

The shop is nice and organized, and a bit more colorful than some other coffee shops.


http://www.baxterscoffee.com/



Foutain Square, Somerset

Here is a nice postcard from the 70s....