Harpeth Hotel Franklin Tennessee at Christmas 2024

We had a very enjoyable stay at the Harpeth Hotel in Franklin Tennessee!  

Franklin Tennessee Downtown at Christmas 2024

And here is another look at Franklin Tennessee, around Christmastime, 2024!

FrankTown Festival of Lights Franklin Tennessee December 2024

We drove through the FrankTown Festival of Lights in Franklin Tennessee right before Christmas!

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!

Smitten Kitten Cat Cafe and Cofe Shop Fishers Indiana

Have some coffee AND play with some cats at Smitten Kitten Cat Cafe in Fishers Indiana!

Von Saum aka Captain Hook Fishers Indiana 2024

When I was very young, in the early 80s, I remember seeing Christian children's TV host, "Captain Hook" at Good Shepherd Church in Owensboro.  Captain Hook (Von Saum) now rests in Fishers Indiana.  

Fishers Indiana Christmas Lights December 2024

Here is a quick look at some Christmas lights in Fishers Indiana!

Simpson County History Center Franklin Kentucky

There is a GREAT history museum in Simpson County, Franklin Kentucky!

Nickel Plate Hotel Fishers Indiana

We had a great stay at the Nickel Plate Hotel in Fishers Indiana!

Mackinac Island Michigan May 2024

We were very lucky to be able to visit Mackinac Island in Michigan this year!

Keystone Fashion Mall Dec 2024

I have brought up the Keystone Mall in Indiana many times....  especially at Christmas.  This is probably my favorite mall anywhere!

New Madrid Missouri

A very underrated and neglected historic town is New Madrid Missouri.  Make sure you don't pass it up on your road trip!

Carmel Christkindlmarkt Indiana 2024

We had a LOT of fun at the Carmel Indiana's Christkindlmarkt!  This was a great, German/Christmas event!

Simpson County Jail Franklin Kentucky

Check out the old Simpson County Jail in Franklin Kentucky!

1962 Boone Tavern Brochure Berea Kentucky

I found a brocure, and some other ephemera from a 1962 visit to Boone Tavern!

The Coffee Collective Sparta Tennessee

We found the great little coffee shop, "The Coffee Collective" in Sparta Tennessee!

Lincoln Tavern at Knob Creek 2024

Here is a quick look at the Lincoln Tavern at Knob Creek!

Jailhouse Pizza Brandenburg Kentucky 2024

Jailhouse Pizza in Brandenburg is a cool and historic place AND they have great pizza!

"A Ghost in Our School" and "Burned As A Witch" by Kay Hamilton

I attended the recent Battletown Witch Festival in Brandenburg Kentucky.  I was particularly excited to meet author Kay Hamilton, who is kind of the keeper of the legend, while at the event.

Kay has put out a couple of books people who are interested in ghosts, witches and folklore will love.

Her first volume, "A Ghost in Our School-  The True Story of Battletown Elementary" was published in 2015.  It is her documenting stories of ghostly activity that happened at the school (which closed in 2012).  Kay was employed there for a long time, and she collected a ton of stories from various staff and students.  For those who enjoy reading various stories that are unexplainable about one place, this is a very enjoyable read.  Of course Kay does tie in the Battletown Witch (Leah Smock) in to these stories.

"Burned as a Witch:  The Legend of Leah Smock" is a more complete look at the entire legend of Leah Smock, who was burned by locals who felt she was a witch in 1840.  This may be the only time a "witch" was burned in America.

Documentation of Leah is actually very scarce, but the locals of Battleboro have known and passed down information on the legend.  Kay has several family members who have passed their stories, and what they know down to her.  She has put those stories in this book, along with various other tales involving sightings of Leah's ghost, and strange things that have happened to people who visit her grave.

 

Brandenburg Kentucky Confederate Monument 2024

The Confederate Monument that used to be in Louisville is now in Brandenburg!

Battletown Kentucky 2024

After attending the Battletown Witch Festival, I took a bit of time to drive through Battletown Kentucky!