ANDERSON COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — For this week's Spotlight Series, LEX 18 is showcasing a place known for its scenic rolling hills, strong community feel, and bourbon heritage: Anderson County.
Take a look at the in-depth stories from LEX 18 below:
A 'mini department store' in downtown Lawrenceburg
Sweet Mash is a boutique located on Main Street in Lawrenceburg - the owners tell LEX 18 they're in a small town with a big heart.
Spotlight on Anderson County: The reimagined Dowling House
From a single-family residence to a funeral home and, later, an apartment complex, Anderson County’s The Dowling House has undergone many iterations over the years. Now, it has a new purpose.
Navy vet turned master distiller brings Australian spirit to KY Bourbon Trail
Greg Keeley, along with his wife Katie, founded Larrikin Bourbon Company, located on Versailles Road. The distillery, which became Larrikin Bourbon Company about two and a half years ago, is now a member of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Fairgrounds Drive-In Restaurant offers mouth-watering meals
When you walk into the Fairgrounds Drive-In Restaurant, you're immediately met with a friendly face and a welcoming smile — and it's been that way for 75 years.
All aboard: Caboose and cottages in Anderson County draw visitors from around the world
Anderson County is home to two unique lodging options, drawing visitors from around the world.
On one working farm, you'll find a converted Southern Railway caboose, and just down the road, there's collection of private cottages nestled among rolling hills.
Little Crooked Creek Safari offers hands-on animal encounters in rural Anderson County
Tucked away in rural Anderson County, Little Crooked Creek Safari is giving visitors a chance to get closer to animals than most traditional zoos ever allow.
Owner Eric Swisher said the safari spans 35 acres, with 24 acres dedicated to the zoo. The facility is home to a wide range of animals, from guinea pigs and porcupines to sloths, capybaras and a 2,000-pound Eland bull — the largest antelope in the world — all of which visitors can hand-feed or interact with up close.
Spotlight on Anderson County: Heavens to Betsy!
If you've ever walked down Main Street in Lawrenceburg, chances are you've smelled it before you've seen it.
After more than a decade as a cornerstone restaurant, a great structure fire impacted Heavens to Betsy right before its remodel. But after recovery, the restaurant is still serving its classic Reuben sandwiches, heavenly Betsy coleslaw, and desserts by Abbi Cakes.
Read books about the bluegrass - or by Kentuckians - at The Kentucky Bookstore
There is plenty of Kentucky flavor in Tastefully Delicious, filled with many snacks and items made in the Commonwealth. Tucked inside, beyond the snacks for your stomach, there’s shelves of Bluegrass-centered food for the brain at The Kentucky Bookstore.
The bookstore in Lawrenceburg has a catalog filled with books about Kentucky or by Kentuckians.
Spotlight Series: Bigfoot lore runs deep in Anderson County
Anderson County has long been a hotspot for Bigfoot sightings in Kentucky, and paranormal researcher Jeff Waldridge has made it his mission to investigate the lore — sometimes venturing into the woods alone in search of answers.
Waldridge said the stories date back centuries.
Get your hands dirty and unlock your creativity at Elements Clay Studio
You can unleash your creative side at Elements Clay Studio in Lawrenceburg.
Elements Clay Studio owner Susan Burge has been creating for most of her life, but professionally for 26 years. She moved to her beautiful, sunlit studio on Nevins Station Road two years ago.
