Barren County

History

Barren County, the thirty-seventh in order of formation, lies in south-central Kentucky, midway between Louisville and Nashville, and covers an area of 482 square miles. The county was named for the barrens, the meadowlands that cover the northern third. Many of the early settlers were Revolutionary War veterans who received grants of land south of the Green River reserved for that purpose by Virginia. Seventy percent of the original settlers came from Virginia; more than 80 percent of the early settlers were English, Scottish, Welsh, or Irish in background. The county seat was named GLASGOW to honor the large number of Scottish settlers. Other principal towns in the county include Cave City, Park City (formerly Three Forks), and Hiseville (formerly Goose Horn); many of the hamlets of the early days have disappeared.

The region's colorful past is re-created throughout Barren County. A Glasgow-built experimental aircraft hangs over the lobby of the South Central Kentucky Cultural Center in downtown Glasgow.
	The Center offers exhibits tracing the history from the age of the Indians through the pioneer settlements and on into more recent times. A major display of military history includes a Congressional Medal of Honor. More can be learned from this link to their website.
Just south of Glasgow, the first Houchens Market is preserved at Haywood in a park that also is home to the Winn School, one of the storied one-room school houses that dotted the area. At Park City, the Bell's Tavern stagecoach stop is to be re-constructed.
	"Winn School House"
On further south is Barren River Lake State Resort Park, host to fishing the year round, golfing, and nature observance through the year.