Todd County is home to The Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic
Site. The Monument, located 9 miles east of Hopkinsville on U.S. 68,
is a tribute to Todd County native Jefferson Davis, the President
of the Confederate States of America during the Civil War.
The 351-foot Monument was built in several stages. It was proposed
in 1907 by General Simon Bolivar Buckner, a famous Confederate general
from Kentucky. Construction began in 1917 but was halted in 1918 due
to World
War I building-material rationing; by then the tower had reached 175
feet. Work began again in 1922, and the Monument was finally completed
in 1924.
The Monument has 7-foot-thick walls at the base, tapering to 2 feet
where the point inclines. An elevator whisks visitors to the top,
where an observation deck gives a stunning view of the surrounding
countryside. The Monument was closed during 2003 for repairs to the
80-year-old stone facings but will open again in 2004.
The Visitor’s Center, which opened in 2001, gives tourists an
opportunity to see a short DVD presentation about the Monument and
the life of Jefferson Davis both before and after the Civil War. You
can pick up souvenirs, books, Civil War memorabilia and Kentucky handcrafts.
The Visitor’s Center is open May 1 through October 31 from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Be sure to visit the Monument during the first weekend of June, when
the Jefferson Davis Birthday Celebration is held. The grounds also
have a picnic site, two picnic shelters and a playground area to enjoy
with family and friends.
The county is home to two golf courses for those wanting to take advantage
of the beautiful weather in the South. Elk Fork Country Club is located
in Elkton, while Shady Springs Golf Course is based in Trenton. Elk
Fork Country Club has a driving range and putting green, as well as
a pro shop to help keep your golf game in top form. Play nine or 18
holes, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The 18-hole course at
Shady Springs Golf Course was constructed in 1996. You can rent clubs
and a cart, visit the pro shop or visit with the onsite golf pro to
improve your game. There are also many other golf courses to enjoy
throughout the region.
Antiquing is fun and easy to do in Todd County. There are many antique
shops to browse through when you’re looking for that perfect
piece to add to your collection. Whether you’re looking for early
American primitive pieces, Art Deco or home collectibles, you’ll
find it all in Todd County and the surrounding area.
For those looking for a little fun in the water, there are many lakes
in the region available for boating, swimming, fishing and water skiing.
Kentucky Lake is only minutes from Todd County and boasts almost 2,400
miles of beautiful, cove-studded shoreline. There are boat docks and
resorts scattered around this massive manmade lake. There are also
four state parks, 48 public-access areas, two county parks, five municipal
parks, two state wildlife management areas, 10 group camps and clubs,
92 commercial recreation areas, and three small wildlife areas, not
to mention the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. Anglers enjoy catching
lunker large mouth, spots, small mouth, catfish, bluegill, red ear
and stripers. Even with 17 million visitors per year, there is plenty
of space for everyone to enjoy the beautiful beaches and crystal-clear
water of Kentucky Lake.
Only 20 miles from Elkton is Lake Malone State Park. Boating, hiking,
fishing, camping and more are all in store for you at this 338-acre
paradise. The boat dock has rental pontoons, fishing boats and paddleboats,
as well as a wide variety of fishing supplies and is open May 1 through
September 15. Once you are on the water, look forward to catching
channel catfish, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and red ear sunfish.
With 100 primitive tent-camping sites and 20 campsites equipped with
electricity and water hookups, you can enjoy the lake for more than
just one day. There are hiking trails and picnicking sites with playground
equipment for the land lovers as well as a beautiful sand beach where
you can build the perfect castle with the kids. Lake Malone has something
for everyone.
On your way to the famous Kentucky cave area, stop in at Barren River
Lake State Resort Park. Stay in the lodge or in one of the 22 cottages,
or camp in the 99-site campground. At the dining room in the lodge,
you will be treated to some of Kentucky’s finest cuisine for
breakfast, lunch or dinner. An 18-hole golf course is open year-round
and has a fully equipped pro shop, and you can enjoy one of the lighted
tennis, basketball, shuffleboard or volleyball courts. During the
summer months, families can take a guided horseback ride or enjoy
one of the picnic and playground areas. The water is the real allure
of Barren River Lake State Resort Park, however. Guests at the lodge
and cottages can take a dip in the private pool or can join all guests
of the park at the public beach. The marina has a launching ramp,
100 open slips, 40 covered slips, rental fishing boats and rental
pontoons to get you out on the water. Once on the lake, enjoy fishing
for bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and rough fish, as well as
largemouth, white and hybrid striped bass. Barren River Lake State
Resort Park is fun for the entire family.
Lake Barkley is another of western Kentucky’s treasures. Enjoy
a day of water sports, camping, shopping, horseback rides and, of
course, excellent fishing. While at Lake Barkley, try your hand at
luring crappie, white bass, bluegill and catfish out of the water.
Be sure to take the opportunity to spot a bald eagle, a blue heron
or many other wildlife species while out on the lake. Lake Barkley
is a great vacation destination or weekend getaway.
Don’t miss the chance to see some of the world’s great caves
while in western Kentucky. Mammoth Cave National Park is only a short
drive from Todd County. This historic, phenomenal natural wonder is
located in Mammoth Cave, Ky. It was designated as a national park
in 1941, a World Heritage Site in 1981 and an International Biosphere
Reserve in 1990. It is the most extensive known cave system on Earth,
with over 350 miles of passageways mapped and surveyed.
You can also see another fascinating cave system a few miles over
in Bowling Green. The Lost River Cave was used as shelter by the Native
Americans as early as 8000 B.C. and boasts one of the largest cave
openings in the eastern United States. Early settlers visited the
cave for milling, using the water to create power. In the early 20th
century, the cave was made into an underground nightclub, complete
with a dance floor. The dance floor has since been restored, and steps
are underway to restore the turbine and generator used to make power.
You can learn all about the cave and the surrounding history by taking
the 20-minute Historical River Walk to the Cave, followed by a 25-minute
boat tour into the cave. It is a true treasure of western Kentucky.
If sports are your passion, you don't have to travel far to see professional
football, hockey and baseball. Less than an hour’s drive down
I-24 to Nashville you will find the perennial powerhouse Tennessee
Titans of the National Football League. You can also enjoy the Nashville
Predators NHL hockey team at the Gaylord Arena. A trip to a Nashville
Sounds Triple-A baseball game is a great family outing.
You can also enjoy big-time college basketball and football at Western
Kentucky University. The Hilltoppers football team won the 2002 NCAA
1-AA National Football Championship. The WKU basketball team won consecutive
Sunbelt Conference Championships in 2001 and 2002 and made their third
consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2002.
The recreational possibilities are virtually endless in Todd County
and the surrounding region. Go fishing, antiquing, cave hopping, camping
or hiking, or do whatever else suits your interests. Todd County is
in the center of it all.
