Cobblestone Path
Encyclopedia
The Cobblestone Path is a historic pathway along the east side of the Bardstown Historic District
of Bardstown, Kentucky
, passing by eight acres of land. Once longer, due to various construction it now remains between Flaget Avenue and Broadway, directly across from the Bardstown Civil War Museum
. Because it was always considered part of the city's street system, the Cobblestone Path is owned by the City of Bardstown, even though it now serves only pedestrian traffic.
The Cobblestone Path was built in 1785. The path was built by the citizens of Bardstown. Non-minister men between the ages of 16 and 50 were forced by law to help build it and the other roads, or be forced to pay a fine of $1.25 a day when they were assigned to work, but didn't. It served as the main entryway to the town of Bardstown from 1785 to 1825, including the Wilderness Road
. It was due to this importance that both the Kentucky legislature and the United States Congress
paid for its improvements prior to 1800. It was briefly part of the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike
as well. With the building of the turnpikes to Bloomfield, Kentucky
and Springfield, Kentucky
, the pathway was reduced to walkers and equestrians.
The Cobblestone Path lies on top of a bluff created by Stewart's Creek Towne Branch's deep canyon, the other side of which rests My Old Kentucky Home State Park
. The remaining path is 350 feet (106.7 m) long and varies in width from twenty-eight feet to twelve feet. The dolomite
limestone
used to cobble the pathway are not uniformly shaped, and range from six to ten inches (254 mm) thick. Natural outcroppings of limestone and even a limestone boulder lie beside the path, some of which may serve as a bench
. The top portion of the path was long a popular picnic spot from the 1870s to 1900, and gained the name Lovers Leap. Less than thirty feet below the Leap is a small dry cave
almost impossible to gain access to.
Erosion has always been a threat to the path, with few cobblestones remaining at the bottom of the path. During the 1920s and 1930s, Mrs. Ernest Fulton planted many flowers along the path, and did her best to fight the erosion. As a result, the path has bush honeysuckle
, evergreen
s, jonquils, and a spruce tree. With this and the natural undergrowth, vine
s, and native hardwoods, the path is essentially a tunnel.
On November 16, 1989 the Cobblestone Path was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
, due to its importance in the history of transportation to Kentucky.
Bardstown Historic District
The Bardstown Historic District, comprising the center of Bardstown, Kentucky, is a registered historic district on the National Register of Historic Places...
of Bardstown, Kentucky
Bardstown, Kentucky
As of the census of 2010, there were 11,700 people, 4,712 households, and 2,949 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 5,113 housing units at an average density of...
, passing by eight acres of land. Once longer, due to various construction it now remains between Flaget Avenue and Broadway, directly across from the Bardstown Civil War Museum
Civil War Museum (Bardstown)
The Civil War Museum in Bardstown, Kentucky is a collection of five attractions along what is called "Museum Row". It was established in 1996 by Dr. Henry Spalding. The star attraction is the Civil War Museum, which is the fourth largest American Civil War Museum and is dedicated to the Western...
. Because it was always considered part of the city's street system, the Cobblestone Path is owned by the City of Bardstown, even though it now serves only pedestrian traffic.
The Cobblestone Path was built in 1785. The path was built by the citizens of Bardstown. Non-minister men between the ages of 16 and 50 were forced by law to help build it and the other roads, or be forced to pay a fine of $1.25 a day when they were assigned to work, but didn't. It served as the main entryway to the town of Bardstown from 1785 to 1825, including the Wilderness Road
Wilderness Road
The Wilderness Road was the principal route used by settlers for more than fifty years to reach Kentucky from the East. In 1775, Daniel Boone blazed a trail for the Transylvania Company from Fort Chiswell in Virginia through the Cumberland Gap into central Kentucky. It was later lengthened,...
. It was due to this importance that both the Kentucky legislature and the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
paid for its improvements prior to 1800. It was briefly part of the Louisville and Nashville Turnpike
Louisville and Nashville Turnpike
The Louisville and Nashville Turnpike was a toll road that ran from Louisville, Kentucky to Nashville, Tennessee during the 19th century. From Louisville, one route now called US highway 31W ran through Elizabethtown, Munfordville, Glasgow Junction , Bowling Green, and Franklin to the Tennessee line...
as well. With the building of the turnpikes to Bloomfield, Kentucky
Bloomfield, Kentucky
Bloomfield is a city in Nelson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 855 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bloomfield is located at ....
and Springfield, Kentucky
Springfield, Kentucky
Springfield is a city in and county seat of Washington County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census. It was established in 1793 and probably named for springs in the area.-Geography:...
, the pathway was reduced to walkers and equestrians.
The Cobblestone Path lies on top of a bluff created by Stewart's Creek Towne Branch's deep canyon, the other side of which rests My Old Kentucky Home State Park
My Old Kentucky Home State Park
My Old Kentucky Home State Park is a state park located in Bardstown, Kentucky. The park's centerpiece is Federal Hill, a former plantation built by United States Senator John Rowan in 1795. During Rowan's life, the mansion became a meeting place for local politicians and hosted several visiting...
. The remaining path is 350 feet (106.7 m) long and varies in width from twenty-eight feet to twelve feet. The dolomite
Dolomite
Dolomite is a carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate CaMg2. The term is also used to describe the sedimentary carbonate rock dolostone....
limestone
Limestone
Limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of calcium carbonate . Many limestones are composed from skeletal fragments of marine organisms such as coral or foraminifera....
used to cobble the pathway are not uniformly shaped, and range from six to ten inches (254 mm) thick. Natural outcroppings of limestone and even a limestone boulder lie beside the path, some of which may serve as a bench
Bench (furniture)
A bench is a piece of furniture, on which several people may sit at the same time. Benches are typically made of wood, but may also be made of metal, stone, or synthetic materials. Many benches have arm and back rests; some have no back rest and can be sat on from either side. In public areas,...
. The top portion of the path was long a popular picnic spot from the 1870s to 1900, and gained the name Lovers Leap. Less than thirty feet below the Leap is a small dry cave
Cave
A cave or cavern is a natural underground space large enough for a human to enter. The term applies to natural cavities some part of which is in total darkness. The word cave also includes smaller spaces like rock shelters, sea caves, and grottos.Speleology is the science of exploration and study...
almost impossible to gain access to.
Erosion has always been a threat to the path, with few cobblestones remaining at the bottom of the path. During the 1920s and 1930s, Mrs. Ernest Fulton planted many flowers along the path, and did her best to fight the erosion. As a result, the path has bush honeysuckle
Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles are arching shrubs or twining vines in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to the Northern Hemisphere. There are about 180 species of honeysuckle, 100 of which occur in China; Europe, India and North America have only about 20 native species each...
, evergreen
Evergreen
In botany, an evergreen plant is a plant that has leaves in all seasons. This contrasts with deciduous plants, which completely lose their foliage during the winter or dry season.There are many different kinds of evergreen plants, both trees and shrubs...
s, jonquils, and a spruce tree. With this and the natural undergrowth, vine
Vine
A vine in the narrowest sense is the grapevine , but more generally it can refer to any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent, that is to say climbing, stems or runners...
s, and native hardwoods, the path is essentially a tunnel.
On November 16, 1989 the Cobblestone Path was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, due to its importance in the history of transportation to Kentucky.