Gasper River
Encyclopedia
The Gasper River is a 38.6 miles (62.1 km) river in southwestern Kentucky
, USA. It flows northeasterly into the Barren River
. It is a rural river; the only town near it is Hadley in Warren County
. It begins in northeast Logan County
, and the river also flows through Warren and Logan
counties. Tributaries include Belcher, Salt Lick, Brush, Clear Fork, Westbrook, and Rock House creeks.
It is about 40 to 60 ft (12.2 to 18.3 ) wide and has a few small rapids. It is considered a mid-difficulty stream for canoeing.
At the confluence with the Barren River is Sally's Rock, used as a river pilot's guide. It is named for Sally Beck, a local who delivered news to passing river boats in the 1880s.
The river was part of a land grant given to George Washington, Jr., nephew of George Washington
, the president. He surveyed the land in 1785. The Gasper River was the home church of Reverend James McGready
, and religious revivals were held on its banks as early as 1797, constituting the first ever open-air tent revival
or camp meeting
. In 1800 McGready began a revival at the nearby Red River Meeting House
, which sparked the Second Great Awakening
, and many of the congregants present were from the Gasper River church.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, USA. It flows northeasterly into the Barren River
Barren River
The Barren River is a river in western Kentucky, USA. It is the largest tributary of the Green River, which drains more of Kentucky than any other river. The Barren River rises in Monroe County and flows into the Green in northeast Warren County....
. It is a rural river; the only town near it is Hadley in Warren County
Warren County, Kentucky
Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky, specifically the Pennyroyal Plateau and Western Coal Fields regions. It is included in the Bowling Green, Kentucky, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 113,792 in the 2010 Census. The county seat is Bowling Green...
. It begins in northeast Logan County
Logan County, Kentucky
Logan County is a county located in the southwest area of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 26,573. Its county seat is Russellville...
, and the river also flows through Warren and Logan
Logan County, Kentucky
Logan County is a county located in the southwest area of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 26,573. Its county seat is Russellville...
counties. Tributaries include Belcher, Salt Lick, Brush, Clear Fork, Westbrook, and Rock House creeks.
It is about 40 to 60 ft (12.2 to 18.3 ) wide and has a few small rapids. It is considered a mid-difficulty stream for canoeing.
At the confluence with the Barren River is Sally's Rock, used as a river pilot's guide. It is named for Sally Beck, a local who delivered news to passing river boats in the 1880s.
The river was part of a land grant given to George Washington, Jr., nephew of George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
, the president. He surveyed the land in 1785. The Gasper River was the home church of Reverend James McGready
James McGready
Rev. James McGready was a Presbyterian minister and a revivalist during the Second Great Awakening in the United States of America. He was one of the most important figures of the Second Great Awakening in the American frontier.- Early life :...
, and religious revivals were held on its banks as early as 1797, constituting the first ever open-air tent revival
Tent revival
A tent revival is a gathering of Christian worshipers in a tent erected specifically for revival meetings, healing crusades, and church rallies. Tent revivals have had both local and national ministries....
or camp meeting
Camp meeting
The camp meeting is a form of Protestant Christian religious service originating in Britain and once common in some parts of the United States, wherein people would travel from a large area to a particular site to camp out, listen to itinerant preachers, and pray...
. In 1800 McGready began a revival at the nearby Red River Meeting House
Red River Meeting House
The Red River Meeting House was the site of the first religious camp meeting in the United States and the start of the Second Great Awakening from June 13–17, 1800. The meeting was organized by Reverend James McGready in Logan County, Kentucky.-First Camp Meeting:There were several hundred people...
, which sparked the Second Great Awakening
Second Great Awakening
The Second Great Awakening was a Christian revival movement during the early 19th century in the United States. The movement began around 1800, had begun to gain momentum by 1820, and was in decline by 1870. The Second Great Awakening expressed Arminian theology, by which every person could be...
, and many of the congregants present were from the Gasper River church.