Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
| Rabbit Hash | |
|---|---|
| Census-designated place | |
 | |
  Rabbit Hash | |
| Coordinates: 38°56′32″N 84°50′45″W / 38.94222°N 84.84583°WCoordinates: 38°56′32″N 84°50′45″W / 38.94222°N 84.84583°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Boone |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Lucy Lou |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.9 sq mi (18.0 km2) |
| • Land | 5.1 sq mi (13.2 km2) |
| • Water | 1.9 sq mi (4.8 km2) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 315 |
| • Density | 62/sq mi (23.8/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP codes | 41005 |
| FIPS code | 21-63804 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0501491 |
Rabbit Hash is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2010 census it had a population of 315.[1] The town is noted primarily for its name, and for its string of canine mayors.
The name Rabbit Hash may derive from the historic use of the local rabbit population as food. The hamlet's most notable building, the Rabbit Hash General Store, is regarded as the best known and best preserved country store in Kentucky. There is a distinction made between urban Rabbit Hash and suburban Rabbit Hash.
To date the original name of the community is unknown. The hamlet was originally known as Carlton and was required to change its name because mail was being mixed up with the larger community of Carrollton several miles down the Ohio River. It is still the Carlton voter precinct. During the early 19th century the town, now known as "Rabbit Hash", was well known for a rabbit hash meal. Steamboats often stopped to order the famous hash as they traveled along the Ohio River. A local legend states that in 1831 a pirate ship docked and entered the town, where they proceeded to burn all of the buildings and kill every person. The next steamboat to stop for hash saw only a three foot sign with the words "rabbit hash" written. It was the only structure standing, and was thought to be the name of the town.
In 1998 a dog named Goofy was elected mayor in an unofficial "election", an event covered in the documentary Rabbit Hash (The Center of the Universe). In 2004, another dog named Junior was elected mayor. Junior later came under scrutiny by the Northern Kentucky Health Department and was banned from entering the General Store in the town due to complaints. According to WXIX-TV on March 13, 2008, the dog's owner would petition for an exemption for the "mayor".
On May 30, 2008, WXIX-TV reported that Junior had died.[2] A new election began August 31[3] and was won by Lucy Lou, a border collie.[4]
The historic Piatt family established a ferry in Rabbit Hash in the early 19th century going across the Ohio River to Indiana. Some of the stories of their run-ins with criminals along the river are colorful and legendary. The Piatts and other farming families in the area would take produce from their farms and send them via flatboat down to Natchez and New Orleans.[citation needed]
After the Civil War ended and the slaves were freed, farm production became far less profitable with increased labor costs.
The Duke Energy East Bend Generating Station coal-fired power plant is located in the southeastern part of the CDP.[5]
The Rabbit Hash Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 2003. It includes 330 acres (1.3 km2), 12 buildings, 6 structures, and 3 objects around 10021-10410 Lower River Road.[6][7] The Rabbit Hash General Store has been listed since February 2, 1989.[8]
References
- Preserve America Community: Rabbit Hash, Kentucky
- Rabbit Hash Historical Society
- Fox19.com."Small town remembers fallen canine mayor", WXIX-TV, May 30, 2008. Accessed May 31, 2008
- ↑ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Rabbit Hash CDP, Kentucky". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Small community remembers fallen canine mayor". WXIX-TV (Fox 19, Kentucky). Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ↑ "Border collie on ballot in northern Ky. town". WorldNow and WAVE. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ↑ "Vote For The Next Mayor of Rabbit Hash - Final Election Results - 5 Nov. 2008". Rabbit Hash Historical Society. Retrieved 2011-02-21.
- ↑ White, Bob (2008-02-01). "Clean Coal Research In Boone County". Kentucky Post (The E.W. Scripps Co.). Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Listings December 12, 2003". National Park Service. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ↑ "KENTUCKY - Boone County - Historic Districts". Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ↑ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2010-07-09.
External links
- Rabbit Hash The Movie
- "Rabbit Hash", Chronicles of Boone County, Boone County Public Library (KY)
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