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In August 2017 Hopkinsville sat near the point of greatest eclipse, and thousands crowded into this western Kentucky town to watch the sky go dark. Long before that it was a farming and tobacco center in the Pennyrile region, the seat of Christian County and the hometown of the psychic Edgar Cayce.
The town holds a quieter piece of national history too. Cherokee families passed through on the Trail of Tears in 1838, and a commemorative park on the Little River marks the graves of two chiefs who died here. Downtown keeps its courthouse, a restored 1920s movie palace and a former railroad depot, while nearby streets are lined with Victorian houses in several historic districts.
Outside town, the land opens into farm country, with the towering Jefferson Davis monument to the east and the woods and lake of Pennyrile Forest to the north. Every few years the community of Kelly celebrates its own odd claim to fame, a 1955 alien sighting, with a lighthearted festival.
A riverside park marking a campsite used by Cherokee groups during the forced removal of 1838. It holds the graves of chiefs Fly Smith and Whitepath, statues, and a small heritage center with exhibits. An intertribal powwow is held here in September. The walking paths take about half an hour.
A tall concrete obelisk in Fairview, east of Hopkinsville, marking the birthplace of Confederate president Jefferson Davis. An elevator takes visitors to an observation room near the top with wide views of farm country, when it is operating. The small museum explains the site. Allow an hour.
A local history museum in a former post office building downtown, with exhibits on Christian County farming, the Civil War, the Night Riders of the tobacco wars and native son Edgar Cayce. It is a good first stop to understand the region. Check opening days, as hours are limited.
A 1928 theater on Main Street with an ornate Spanish-style interior, restored and now used for concerts, plays and films. Even without a show, the marquee and facade are worth seeing on a walk downtown. Look up the season schedule for touring acts and local productions.
The county courthouse anchors the downtown grid and serves as a landmark for exploring the surrounding commercial streets. Nearby blocks hold older storefronts, local diners and shops. Pair it with the Pennyroyal Area Museum and the Alhambra Theatre, all within a few minutes on foot.
A historic brick passenger station built by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It recalls the era when rail made Hopkinsville a tobacco shipping hub. The building sits near downtown and makes a quick stop for railroad and architecture fans.
A residential district of late 19th and early 20th century houses close to downtown, showing styles from Italianate to Queen Anne. It is best seen on a slow walk or drive, especially in spring when trees bloom. Respect privacy, as the homes are private residences and not open inside.
A paved multi-use trail along the Little River and through parks in town, popular with walkers, runners and cyclists. It connects neighborhoods with green space and gives an easy way to see the river. Bring water in summer, as some stretches have little shade during the middle of the day.
A playful festival in the nearby community of Kelly marking the 1955 encounter in which a farm family reported small glowing creatures. Expect alien costumes, food, music and talks on the story. It takes place in August in some years, so confirm dates before planning a trip around it.
A state resort park north of Hopkinsville set in a large forest, with a lake for swimming, fishing and paddling, hiking trails, a golf course and a lodge with a restaurant. Cabins overlook the water. It makes an easy half-day or overnight trip; trails are quiet on weekdays.
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Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bedford at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bedford at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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Photo: Bedford at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Bedford at en.wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
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Photo: bubba73, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
