The Gower House looked amazing. It is a shame a place that historic, almost 250 years old has been forgotten. Thanks for documenting it for us all to see. Definitely a awesome place.
😢 sad to see it in such a neglected state! If rich, and richer people could be informed they may want to preserve this grand historical part of our past!
I'm not in America so I don't know how these things work but are the owners not obliged to maintain a building like this ? Or if that's not possible is there an organisation like the UK'S National trust which purchases and maintains historic buildings?
The Gower House has such a rich history and it's such a shame to see it in that condition. It was built just 4 years after this country was founded. I would think that the state of Kentucky would want to preserve it. It would however, require a lot of money to bring it back but sadly there probably aren't enough visitors to the area to support it. I can only hope that a philanthropist or civic minded corporations would see its importance and restore it to its original condition. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
2 & 3 years ago the rivers over flowed their banks causing the river front homes to flood. The Gower house is privately owned. It's my understanding they will and are in the process of revitalization and restoration once again.
This channel provides excellent information about interesting places long forgotten in history!! Love to study the economic and demographic changes over time in these places!! Really do hope somebody can return some of these places to its past glory someday!!
The Gower House is one of the most historically significant buildings in Kentucky, and at 244 years old, perhaps the oldest building in Kentucky. Smithland was once an important town back when the river was the best way of travelling anywhere. Smithland's importance decreased when railroads came into existence, and in the 20th century, automobiles and paved roads made river transportation unpopular with the masses. Livingston county is a poor rural county with little industry, and and cannot afford to restore the old hotel. The Gower House is far more important than Whitehaven in Paducah, an antebellum mansion from about 1860 , but in the early 1980's the state of Kentucky paid $3 million to restore it and made it an tourist welcoming center off I-24. Since Smithland is not near an interstate highway, and Livingston County is without political finfluence, the state of Kentucky is unlikely to come across the $$$ to restore the Gower House. The only hope for restoring Gower would be if a wealthly benefactor, like John Schnatter of the Papa John Pizza chains, would come forward with the millions of dollars needed. Not Likely!
If you ever come back to Kentucky I think you would love Harrodsburg KY and bardstown KY. They are very historical and have preserved a lot. Harrodsburg was founded by James Harrod and Daniel Boone. It has a nice park with a guided tour of first pioneer settlement. Many enactment steak place in Harrods Park. It is also home to shakertown village which is very nicely preserved and full of information sites. It is also about 10 minutes from the perryville battlefield in perryville Kentucky. And has almost perfectly preserved the marriage house of Abraham Lincoln and his wife.
I've enjoyed your video tours. I learn something each time. The Paducah video was great. My grandmother, Grace McKinley, told of her teen years there. She said her girlfriends would bring her to the river where they all could go out on a boat/barge and dance to a live band for 5 cents! The market building you show toward the end of your walk is a very interesting history museum. Keep up the great stories!
Great video. Smithland is a very historic town. I have worked there across from the grocery for years. The huge house by the river was called the Smith House for years. It was built and owned by a founding family of Smithland aptly named Smith. A member of the family was county Judge Executive for several years.
Jim Smith one of the owners of Reed Crushed Stone now Vulcan Materials in Grand Rivers. One of the biggest employers of the area. The David Reed family began the business which is a rock quarry. The Reeds were big into supporting the community. Vulcan Materials bought it several years ago and own quarries across the country and in Cancun. You had no way of knowing I know but it would have been cool to dabbled into the Reed and Smith families. The Reed family goes back many years in the area.
My daddy grew up in Marion. He pastored a church in Sebree Ky. His good friends pastored churches in Smithland, Marion & Paducah. I’d love for you to drive through Sebree sometime. It’s been over 30 yrs since Iv been back home.
I really enjoyed this video. The hotel in Smithland, Gower House, is such a beautiful building, with some very famous guests in the past. Charles Dickens, wow !! It's such a shame it seems to be deteriorating. It was really interesting to have a brief look inside. I'm always drawn to lovely old buildings like that. So many beautiful buildings in Paducah, too. Hopefully the theatre will be restored to its former glory at some stage. Your dinner looked delicious !! Thanks so much for another wonderful video.😊
It is sad, isn't it? All these billionaires and multimillionaires in this country and no one is interested in preserving this country's history. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. It's a shame.
Oh yeah huh, good pictures of cool places, I'm from here in Brazil and I keep imagining through your works how magnificent it must be to walk through these little towns in that interior there, very good...
Hi, Lord. Early in this video you showed us the Gower House on the river. From your camera work, I noticed so much of the lower walls at foundation level were crumbling. A VERY bad sign. If they don't start working on that problem soon, Gower House will be lost. I know that because in my town here in North Jersey we had a 1700's house. It was beautiful, but, if you went into the basement, the mold was awful and the foundation came apart. It was neglected for so long they had to knock it down. Terrible..... Another great video. Greetings from "Jersey Charlie" and THANK YOU !
I went to college south of Paducah at Murray State University. 30 minutes away. I spent some time in Paducah. Spent a lot of time at the Land Between the Lakes. By the way, if you get back into Kentucky, the Land Between the Lakes region is incredible. There's a restaurant in Grand Rivers KY(Patti's) which is famous.
That old inn makes me sad. A historic building like that should absolutely be preserved. Thank you for sharing the physical risk and filming its interior.
The shame about the Gower house is the cost of refurbishing it. Just a guess but I'd say close to 2 million. What shocked me was the fact that it was open to anybody to poke around in it, or vandalize it.
Thank You Lord Spoda, amazing start to the video, that hotel was astounding. The overall impression I got from this video was that this region is slowly decaying, inexorably into dust. But you on the other hand Lord Spoda keep getting better, better footage, better drone shots, all of which makes your already wonderful channel a bright spot for me. I have studied history for over 60 years, and demographics since 1987. I love your statistical breakdowns, oh hell I love everything you do Lord Spoda. From Southern Texas/Mexico Border towns (which you covered spectacularly) to Kentucky, one thing stands out from your vidoes. This place is one hell of a diverse, mash up of people and cultures which is unique in all the world. What is really wonderful about your coverage is the fact whatever you think about a place personally you are non-judgemental towards everyone, which is to your credit Lord Spoda. Have a Great Week My Friend!
Thanks Lord Spoda for another great video. I have passed through Paduca many times on interstate 24 without stopping to sightsee. From your video it looks like a nice place to visit. North western Kentucky looks beautiful. Thanks again for sharing.
Another interesting virtual tour. Paducah is a really cool town--I especially like the murals on the flood wall along the river. Have you considered visiting the local museums in the places you visit? There's a wealth of information on display and talking to the volunteers can give you an insight into the history of the place and they often have inside tips on points of interest.
A few hours after dinner here, kicking back with a glass of JD and a bag of chili chips, taking in the sights while Lord drives me around, lol. I've probably said it before, but I'm very grateful to you LS for doing what you do, because this is about the only way I'll ever get to see these places. I was impressed with Paducah - lovely, clean-looking town with lots of wonderful buildings. And the murals, nice. I'm a big fan of murals (good ones, that is). Gower House was - melancholy. A shame to see a storied place like that in such a dilapidated condition. I bet the people of note who stayed there never dreamed it would look like that one day... Excellent jaunt as always mate, cheers!
The mansion next to the river was built by Jim smith. Owner of smith paving. I played in the grower house when I was growing up. I grew up right there. Crazy to see it on RUclips lol.
Thanks for the tour, getting closer to my local travel area. Paducah is one of those river towns that found other reasons for being, its a nice little town. Stay safe and off the interstate.
Thank you for showing our little part of western Kentucky! We fell in love with Paducah area almost two years ago as we were staying for a week. We stayed! Been to Smithland & other smaller towns around - quaint & fun. The old bridge over the river was recently demolished & many folks came out to see the implosion!
Wow who would’ve thought Paducah would be so cool! I drive through it from Nashville to the 70 so much and would’ve never known. That’s why I love your videos and what first got me into watching regularly. Started with the Charleston, WV video.
And…… another great video!! So glad we got to see Nicole, too!! Smithland had that beautiful, mysterious mansion and famous hotel. I loved that. Also loved seeing the Amish area and man working the field with his horse. No one can make a better pie than the Amish. Yoder, Kansas has Amish quaint bakery complete with the horses and buggies. Your dinner looked delicious in Paducah. I love the murals by the river. Safe journey onward and love to you and Nicole! Thank you!!
Come back to Paducah during the summer street weekends with live entertainment on every block and food galore! Then Come back in the fall with our huge BBQ On The River.....thanks for stopping in...there's so much history here and a group of people who would enjoy sharing with you, our own ambassadors. We have a remarkable area downtown for artist of every medium just a couple blocks from where you started. Come on back anytime!
Wow! My family was given 1000's of acres in Crittendon County after the Revolutionary war as a land grant, we still have it in the family. I haven't been there in decades, but my dad and his brothers still run the farm, lovely to see you included it.
Greetings from a spring-like day in suburban London, UK where the temperature has risen to a balmy 9C! Yep, I like that part of Kentucky especially the distillery. I'm intrigued to know the artists that played over your drone footage I find that music most relaxing and hypnotic. That very large building with the whitewash walls and black wood beams is what I would call Old English Tudor. Excellent video 🙂
Kentucky on the tour today! Smithland on the Ohio River - I bet it gets flooded at times. Great hotel full of history! Thanks for the inside shots - that's a rarity for you! No phone service there?Cool bridges though on the way out! ...Marion (#2) Sounds like they need a singles club there! Appears very clean - no trash or rubble lying around. Great to see the Amish with their buggies there! Low crime too - would be a real nice place to live! ...Paducah! Now there's a town I've actually heard of! @19:23 you missed the historic Barkley's Law Office where Alben W. Barkley, where a U.S. former congressman and then a U.S. vice president got his start in law, 1901. Other than that glaring omission (lol!) a nice tour on a beautiful day! 🌞☀
beautiful. i like the native paintings on the wall. It is late where I am.. I yawned while you were in the bar..and opened my eyes to the bartender yawning. A new one for me. I made someone yawn on a video...across an unknown space time contiunuum.🤔
Yay. Saw the cat. Now I'm good for the rest of the video. Thanks for including Kittie. Nice to see so little trash strewn about, as well. Thanks for showing the Amish lifestyle as well. Destroys common misconceptions many of us had, I'm sure. Good job!!
Great video, as usual. I'm from the area but don't get back there often enough, so it was nice to see some of those old places again. You should have gone to Kirchhoff's Bakery for breakfast while in Paducah. You were so close! They have excellent breakfast quiches and pastries. Maybe next time.
Thank you for this video. Many years ago, we lived in Marion. I can't say how many times I drove through Smithland and shopped in Paducah....If you can, visit the Bourbon Trail and Harrodsburg in central KY.
I am a descendant of Irvin S. Cobb and have been to Paducah many times. My mother was a Cobb. I am also related to the Grace family there, of House of Grace fame. I played the organ once at St. Phillips de Salles Catholic Church and often at Grace Episcopal which was my mother's and her family's church. There I played viola twice for mass and the organ - Judy Bray, director.
Kentucky has some of the best bourbon whisky, I've had a sip and some in cooking and the flavor it gives to food is amazing by the way you have some really big you know what's to go in the Gower House and up the steps, keep it safe, another very interesting video, thanks for sharing.
I imagine all those stores are laid out exactly the same. I look forward to your videos I like the way you do your homework on these places. Don’t get no DUI’s!
What a shame! The historic value of the the Gower house should be more appropriated and preserved for future generations! How cool would it be to restore it and rent the rooms out to visitors world wide. All you need are would be a few willing investors to make it happen! If I had the $$, I would do it myself!!
Your comment about the Armish -'air drying clothes' the old fashioned way - is very interesting Joe. I would say that whilst electric tumble dryers are used in the UK - hanging out the washing to dry on the garden clothes line is still quite normal.
Paducah is a pretty cool town, had lots of fun there. Unfortuately it and Cape Girardeau MO are the only cities in the region that are doing well economically.
I have spent many many many years researching the town of Smithland and especially the Gower house. The Gower house was not built in 1780. It was built in 1825. Unfortunately the historical marker is inaccurate. The only documented people who stayed at the inn was Ned buntline and Henry Clay. Lafayette stayed at another hotel in town that was much much nicer. This street and the Gower House were flooded when Clara Barton was there. If you’re interested in knowing more, I have a video on the Gower house where I go into detail on all of my research.
Oh my gosh thank you for going to Paducah. My cousin and I went there 13 years in a row to attend the Quilt Show. We learned all of the back roads and met some lifetime friends. The cemetery is fun to visit. Thank you for this.
As always, a great history lesson of rural America. I used to travel around the country for my job and would see a lot of places like this. Never looked up a lot of the towns that I went through, so it's nice that you do. And, I appreciate the random cat sightings!! Haha! 👍
Beautiful country and pretty homes. That cat was on a mission! Must have heard the can opener! So much history there. Too bad the Gower Hotel isn't restored. Thanks for the tour.
One thing you omitted about Paducah was the biggest employers in the city, that's something you usually do for bigger cities, that is something that interests me.
I fancy I could spend enjoyable time in Paducah: a river front; a well preserved commercial center; a comfortable eating establishment that serves what sure looked like delectable beef tamales and chili; and the Silent Brigade Brewery featuring high grade bourbons, consumed, as you yourself once pointed out, with no more than a splash of water or, as in the video, just ice. That was new lumber on the floor inside the Gower House and the stairway to the second level was new; but that's hardly enough. Those brownish blotches below the overhanging porch are insect pods. A building with such historic associations deserves preservation.
Yeah, it looks like some thought is being put into renovating the Gower but not much effort. It's a shame, because great people have been inside those walls.
Thanks for the video. Why doesn't the State buy the Gower House and renovate it as a Historical Landmark. That's what most states have done with historic buildings. It's shocking and disgraceful to allow that building to disintegrate.
Thank you for going inside the Gower House. I was so nervous for you. I kept saying “don’t do it don’t do it” then you went upstairs lol. You’re amazing!!
The Amish is the best place to get strawberries in the spring. Tomatoes and most garden vegs available in the summer. Hint: if you had kept on going right through downtown Marion KY headed North and out of town a few miles then you’d have turned left and be right in Amish land!! Such a beautiful place. Homemade bread, pies & donuts too.
Love Smithland KY. Too bad the hotel has not been preserved. Paducah is amazing! Great drone footage! Love the murals and river views. Looks like a great city to visit. Thank you for a great video!
I like your break down, sure makes it interesting , I was Widow twice by the time I was 43, 1st time at 36, With a child , I dry my wash on 100 foot line use my dryer for 1 hour a year , Sure lots of nice buildings and clean streets, no dead beats with tent s,, oops 90 proof take it easy with that stuff , or you will be walking side ways LOL
The big white house you see use to belong to the Smith family. They own a large contracting company. Side note the chandelier in the foyer came out of the white house at one time, so I've been told.
Great videos, very interesting to see different parts of the United States. I’m an Australian with a girl from Kentucky so I’ve been fortunate to visit a few times and just love it!
Really enjoying your vlogs which I watch every night here in the UK. Gower House is a fascinating place which should unquestionably be preserved. I also loved those murals by the stunning Ohio river. A very attractive place all around.
Some of the Amish you showed are likely New Order Amish (vs Old Order Amish, Swartzentruber Amish, or some other ultra-conservative form) as they allow motorized tractors, other farm equipment, or other work equipment, with steel wheels (no rubber tires allowed). It looks like the guy with the Amish forklift manufactures lumber or pallets. However, there is a small chance that they were actually Old Order Mennonites.
Not many live in Paducah due to the taxes and regulations, the Columbia is in the process of being restored. the big house in Smithland is a private home, and Marion has a couple of nursing homes that may skew the widow/widower numbers. BTW there were a lot better places to eat than Doe's, Doe's is grossly over priced.
Loved the video. Very interesting historical history. The food looked good. It is always nice to see you and your wife enjoying your outings together, beautiful! 😊 Stay safe.
I travel vicariously through you right now. Wish I knew a few days ahead of time you were gonna be there because I would've mentioned the Brookport Bridge. It's also named after Irvin Cobb and it's an open steel deck bridge between Kentucky and Illinois. I'm no fan of heights, but I still wish to drive across that crazy bridge someday
Loved your visit to Gower House, wow, 1700's & such famous figures stayed there. The Ohio River is gorgeous. The bar & grill u visited was very pretty....Oh those meaballs & chili with cheese, & your wife's longuine & veggies and oh that YUMMY steak. I can do w/out alcohol, love my gingerale and lemonade too. Keep up the good work u 2. RB, Conyers, ga
The Gower House looked amazing. It is a shame a place that historic, almost 250 years old has been forgotten. Thanks for documenting it for us all to see. Definitely a awesome place.
Dar nit, you beat me to it. Superb post and thanks.
😢 sad to see it in such a neglected state! If rich, and richer people could be informed they may want to preserve this grand historical part of our past!
I'm not in America so I don't know how these things work but are the owners not obliged to maintain a building like this ? Or if that's not possible is there an organisation like the UK'S National trust which purchases and maintains historic buildings?
Its for sale. Buy it and fix it up. Save history.
The Gower House has such a rich history and it's such a shame to see it in that condition. It was built just 4 years after this country was founded. I would think that the state of Kentucky would want to preserve it. It would however, require a lot of money to bring it back but sadly there probably aren't enough visitors to the area to support it. I can only hope that a philanthropist or civic minded corporations would see its importance and restore it to its original condition. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
@@SSNESS What does that have to do with the price of beans in Bermuda?
2 & 3 years ago the rivers over flowed their banks causing the river front homes to flood. The Gower house is privately owned. It's my understanding they will and are in the process of revitalization and restoration once again.
Our pols have a plan to put us all into slavery to China so they are deliberately letting everything die.
This channel provides excellent information about interesting places long forgotten in history!! Love to study the economic and demographic changes over time in these places!! Really do hope somebody can return some of these places to its past glory someday!!
The Gower House…. Such an amazing piece of History… brings tears to the heart to see it crumbling to rubble!
I agree!
The Gower House is one of the most historically significant buildings in Kentucky, and at 244 years old, perhaps the oldest building in Kentucky. Smithland was once an important town back when the river was the best way of travelling anywhere. Smithland's importance decreased when railroads came into existence, and in the 20th century, automobiles and paved roads made river transportation unpopular with the masses. Livingston county is a poor rural county with little industry, and and cannot afford to restore the old hotel. The Gower House is far more important than Whitehaven in Paducah, an antebellum mansion from about 1860 , but in the early 1980's the state of Kentucky paid $3 million to restore it and made it an tourist welcoming center off I-24. Since Smithland is not near an interstate highway, and Livingston County is without political finfluence, the state of Kentucky is unlikely to come across the $$$ to restore the Gower House. The only hope for restoring Gower would be if a wealthly benefactor, like John Schnatter of the Papa John Pizza chains, would come forward with the millions of dollars needed. Not Likely!
If you ever come back to Kentucky I think you would love Harrodsburg KY and bardstown KY. They are very historical and have preserved a lot. Harrodsburg was founded by James Harrod and Daniel Boone. It has a nice park with a guided tour of first pioneer settlement. Many enactment steak place in Harrods Park. It is also home to shakertown village which is very nicely preserved and full of information sites. It is also about 10 minutes from the perryville battlefield in perryville Kentucky. And has almost perfectly preserved the marriage house of Abraham Lincoln and his wife.
3:33 I love how this guy makes notes on information for the videos. Shows dedication 🙂
Thanks! :)
I've enjoyed your video tours. I learn something each time. The Paducah video was great. My grandmother, Grace McKinley, told of her teen years there. She said her girlfriends would bring her to the river where they all could go out on a boat/barge and dance to a live band for 5 cents! The market building you show toward the end of your walk is a very interesting history museum. Keep up the great stories!
Thank you for showing Gower House. Had relatives who lived in Paducah few years. Teachers. Used to tell about the City. Moved back to Iowa.
Great video. Smithland is a very historic town. I have worked there across from the grocery for years.
The huge house by the river was called the Smith House for years. It was built and owned by a founding family of Smithland aptly named Smith. A member of the family was county Judge Executive for several years.
Wow, cool, thanks for the info! That house is amazing.
Jim Smith one of the owners of Reed Crushed Stone now Vulcan Materials in Grand Rivers. One of the biggest employers of the area. The David Reed family began the business which is a rock quarry. The Reeds were big into supporting the community. Vulcan Materials bought it several years ago and own quarries across the country and in Cancun. You had no way of knowing I know but it would have been cool to dabbled into the Reed and Smith families. The Reed family goes back many years in the area.
Also in the Grand Rivers area there’s a well known restaurant that employs many and well known for Christmas lights. Patties 1850
My daddy grew up in Marion. He pastored a church in Sebree Ky. His good friends pastored churches in Smithland, Marion & Paducah. I’d love for you to drive through Sebree sometime. It’s been over 30 yrs since Iv been back home.
Thanks for showing us the map. I enjoyed the video
Safe Travels another good one.. 👍👍.
A awesome history voyage of western Kentucky...Smithland is very a interesting location... interesting statistics 🇺🇲🙋
Paducah is a neat town. Lots of antique stores and good places to eat. My family enjoyed it a lot.
I really enjoyed this video. The hotel in Smithland, Gower House, is such a beautiful building, with some very famous guests in the past. Charles Dickens, wow !! It's such a shame it seems to be deteriorating. It was really interesting to have a brief look inside. I'm always drawn to lovely old buildings like that. So many beautiful buildings in Paducah, too. Hopefully the theatre will be restored to its former glory at some stage. Your dinner looked delicious !! Thanks so much for another wonderful video.😊
It is sad, isn't it? All these billionaires and multimillionaires in this country and no one is interested in preserving this country's history. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. It's a shame.
@@williebeamish5879 Unfortunately a lot of these milionaires and billionaires think America's history is bad and needs to be erased.
@@williebeamish5879 Why not divert some of the ca$h currently being frittered away in Ukraine?
@Clark Kent that's an asinine comment.
Australia here/ Thank you, for another wonderful trip ! really enjoyed the little look inside Gower house, hope they save it soon, beautiful building.
Always great content , very informative, love the old towns and buildings
Kentucky is always awesome. Thanks Spoda
Lovely drone shot over the Ohio 😍❣️
Thanks for the trip to Kentucky. 👍👍👍💕
Oh yeah huh, good pictures of cool places, I'm from here in Brazil and I keep imagining through your works how magnificent it must be to walk through these little towns in that interior there, very good...
Hi, Lord. Early in this video you showed us the Gower House on the river. From your camera work, I noticed so much of the lower walls at foundation level were crumbling. A VERY bad sign. If they don't start working on that problem soon, Gower House will be lost. I know that because in my town here in North Jersey we had a 1700's house. It was beautiful, but, if you went into the basement, the mold was awful and the foundation came apart. It was neglected for so long they had to knock it down. Terrible..... Another great video. Greetings from "Jersey Charlie" and THANK YOU !
I noticed that too. Hopefully the state will come in a do something about it. The history of that place is incredible.
@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip Yessir ! All those notable visitors !
I went to college south of Paducah at Murray State University. 30 minutes away. I spent some time in Paducah. Spent a lot of time at the Land Between the Lakes. By the way, if you get back into Kentucky, the Land Between the Lakes region is incredible. There's a restaurant in Grand Rivers KY(Patti's) which is famous.
We drove through there. You're right. Will be doing a video there in time.
That old inn makes me sad. A historic building like that should absolutely be preserved. Thank you for sharing the physical risk and filming its interior.
You all seem to enjoy traveling, hope everything goes well for you and yours.
Keep the videos coming. 🙂
Yes, that's totally cool 😎 👍
The shame about the Gower house is the cost of refurbishing it. Just a guess but I'd say close to 2 million. What shocked me was the fact that it was open to anybody to poke around in it, or vandalize it.
I always look forward to your videos!
Thank You Lord Spoda, amazing start to the video, that hotel was astounding. The overall impression I got from this video was that this region is slowly decaying, inexorably into dust. But you on the other hand Lord Spoda keep getting better, better footage, better drone shots, all of which makes your already wonderful channel a bright spot for me. I have studied history for over 60 years, and demographics since 1987. I love your statistical breakdowns, oh hell I love everything you do Lord Spoda. From Southern Texas/Mexico Border towns (which you covered spectacularly) to Kentucky, one thing stands out from your vidoes. This place is one hell of a diverse, mash up of people and cultures which is unique in all the world. What is really wonderful about your coverage is the fact whatever you think about a place personally you are non-judgemental towards everyone, which is to your credit Lord Spoda. Have a Great Week My Friend!
Wow, thank you!
Hi Lord Spoda
Nice video. Thanks for uploading. Good time spent with you in small towns of rural Kentucky.
Glad you enjoyed it, Rajeev!
Very enjoyable video, love those small towns , lot's of open space, 👍.
Thanks Lord Spoda for another great video. I have passed through Paduca many times on interstate 24 without stopping to sightsee. From your video it looks like a nice place to visit. North western Kentucky looks beautiful. Thanks again for sharing.
Another interesting virtual tour. Paducah is a really cool town--I especially like the murals on the flood wall along the river. Have you considered visiting the local museums in the places you visit? There's a wealth of information on display and talking to the volunteers can give you an insight into the history of the place and they often have inside tips on points of interest.
We visit museums fairly often. Depends on how much time we have.
A few hours after dinner here, kicking back with a glass of JD and a bag of chili chips, taking in the sights while Lord drives me around, lol. I've probably said it before, but I'm very grateful to you LS for doing what you do, because this is about the only way I'll ever get to see these places. I was impressed with Paducah - lovely, clean-looking town with lots of wonderful buildings. And the murals, nice. I'm a big fan of murals (good ones, that is). Gower House was - melancholy. A shame to see a storied place like that in such a dilapidated condition. I bet the people of note who stayed there never dreamed it would look like that one day... Excellent jaunt as always mate, cheers!
Thanks, Markus!
This last town emminates Southern Charm. What a interesting adventure. 👍👍🥰🥰
Kitty was Fast.. was cool seeing all of those places, very nice. The Drone flight was cool Good to see Nicky. Saying Hi.
Thanks 👍
Beautiful Kentucky!
The mansion next to the river was built by Jim smith. Owner of smith paving. I played in the grower house when I was growing up. I grew up right there. Crazy to see it on RUclips lol.
Interesting. 👍
So, from what you say, seems like it's still owned and occupied by the Smith family.
Thanks for the tour, getting closer to my local travel area. Paducah is one of those river towns that found other reasons for being, its a nice little town. Stay safe and off the interstate.
What a great life you have. Travelling from one interesting place to the next. Keep up the good work mate.
Thank you for showing our little part of western Kentucky! We fell in love with Paducah area almost two years ago as we were staying for a week. We stayed! Been to Smithland & other smaller towns around - quaint & fun. The old bridge over the river was recently demolished & many folks came out to see the implosion!
Wow who would’ve thought Paducah would be so cool! I drive through it from Nashville to the 70 so much and would’ve never known. That’s why I love your videos and what first got me into watching regularly. Started with the Charleston, WV video.
Awesome! :)
And…… another great video!! So glad we got to see Nicole, too!! Smithland had that beautiful, mysterious mansion and famous hotel. I loved that. Also loved seeing the Amish area and man working the field with his horse. No one can make a better pie than the Amish. Yoder, Kansas has Amish quaint bakery complete with the horses and buggies. Your dinner looked delicious in Paducah. I love the murals by the river. Safe journey onward and love to you and Nicole! Thank you!!
Thanks, Denise!
Cow pies?
Come back to Paducah during the summer street weekends with live entertainment on every block and food galore! Then Come back in the fall with our huge BBQ On The River.....thanks for stopping in...there's so much history here and a group of people who would enjoy sharing with you, our own ambassadors. We have a remarkable area downtown for artist of every medium just a couple blocks from where you started.
Come on back anytime!
Wow! My family was given 1000's of acres in Crittendon County after the Revolutionary war as a land grant, we still have it in the family. I haven't been there in decades, but my dad and his brothers still run the farm, lovely to see you included it.
Nobody ever gave me two nickles to flint together to make a survival fire!
Greetings from a spring-like day in suburban London, UK where the temperature has risen to a balmy 9C! Yep, I like that part of Kentucky especially the distillery. I'm intrigued to know the artists that played over your drone footage I find that music most relaxing and hypnotic. That very large building with the whitewash walls and black wood beams is what I would call Old English Tudor. Excellent video 🙂
Kentucky on the tour today! Smithland on the Ohio River - I bet it gets flooded at times. Great hotel full of history! Thanks for the inside shots - that's a rarity for you! No phone service there?Cool bridges though on the way out! ...Marion (#2) Sounds like they need a singles club there! Appears very clean - no trash or rubble lying around. Great to see the Amish with their buggies there! Low crime too - would be a real nice place to live! ...Paducah! Now there's a town I've actually heard of! @19:23 you missed the historic Barkley's Law Office where Alben W. Barkley, where a U.S. former congressman and then a U.S. vice president got his start in law, 1901. Other than that glaring omission (lol!) a nice tour on a beautiful day! 🌞☀
Believe it or not, you CAN survive very well without wireless phone service.
I really like the look into the structures you pass by, thanks!!!
beautiful. i like the native paintings on the wall. It is late where I am.. I yawned while you were in the bar..and opened my eyes to the bartender yawning. A new one for me. I made someone yawn on a video...across an unknown space time contiunuum.🤔
Yay. Saw the cat. Now I'm good for the rest of the video. Thanks for including Kittie. Nice to see so little trash strewn about, as well. Thanks for showing the Amish lifestyle as well. Destroys common misconceptions many of us had, I'm sure. Good job!!
Great video, as usual. I'm from the area but don't get back there often enough, so it was nice to see some of those old places again. You should have gone to Kirchhoff's Bakery for breakfast while in Paducah. You were so close! They have excellent breakfast quiches and pastries. Maybe next time.
Thank You..For another outstanding video.Beautiful scenery thruout...Stay Safe..Be happy, and well.
I'm really digging your channel. Thanks for sharing.
I love your channel. What an amazing history that far west during our founding days. Thank you. My favorite so far.
Thank you for this video. Many years ago, we lived in Marion. I can't say how many times I drove through Smithland and shopped in Paducah....If you can, visit the Bourbon Trail and Harrodsburg in central KY.
I am a descendant of Irvin S. Cobb and have been to Paducah many times. My mother was a Cobb. I am also related to the Grace family there, of House of Grace fame. I played the organ once at St. Phillips de Salles Catholic Church and often at Grace Episcopal which was my mother's and her family's church. There I played viola twice for mass and the organ - Judy Bray, director.
Kentucky has some of the best bourbon whisky, I've had a sip and some in cooking and the flavor it gives to food is amazing by the way you have some really big you know what's to go in the Gower House and up the steps, keep it safe, another very interesting video, thanks for sharing.
I agree!
I imagine all those stores are laid out exactly the same. I look forward to your videos I like the way you do your homework on these places. Don’t get no DUI’s!
This is so awesome. Lived in my for 20yrs. From Massachusetts. Can't really see parts of Kentucky. Live in central kentucky. I love my Kentucky home.
What a shame! The historic value of the the Gower house should be more appropriated and preserved for future generations! How cool would it be to restore it and rent the rooms out to visitors world wide. All you need are would be a few willing investors to make it happen! If I had the $$, I would do it myself!!
What surprises me most in Smithfield was at the turn in the road at the Grover inn you could drive right into the river without any road gards.
Your comment about the Armish -'air drying clothes' the old fashioned way - is very interesting Joe. I would say that whilst electric tumble dryers are used in the UK - hanging out the washing to dry on the garden clothes line is still quite normal.
The dinner looks like you guys had a great evening and feed. Nice. +1 for cat spotting.
Another fine video about your adventures sir. Take care and be safe. See you on your next video.
Thanks James!
I never heard about Paducah before this video, that place is beautiful!
Paducah is a pretty cool town, had lots of fun there. Unfortuately it and Cape Girardeau MO are the only cities in the region that are doing well economically.
I have spent many many many years researching the town of Smithland and especially the Gower house. The Gower house was not built in 1780. It was built in 1825. Unfortunately the historical marker is inaccurate. The only documented people who stayed at the inn was Ned buntline and Henry Clay. Lafayette stayed at another hotel in town that was much much nicer. This street and the Gower House were flooded when Clara Barton was there. If you’re interested in knowing more, I have a video on the Gower house where I go into detail on all of my research.
Oh my gosh thank you for going to Paducah. My cousin and I went there 13 years in a row to attend the Quilt Show. We learned all of the back roads and met some lifetime friends. The cemetery is fun to visit. Thank you for this.
As always, a great history lesson of rural America. I used to travel around the country for my job and would see a lot of places like this. Never looked up a lot of the towns that I went through, so it's nice that you do. And, I appreciate the random cat sightings!! Haha! 👍
I find your reciting of the areas statistics always to be very interesting.
Beautiful country and pretty homes. That cat was on a mission! Must have heard the can opener! So much history there. Too bad the Gower Hotel isn't restored. Thanks for the tour.
One thing you omitted about Paducah was the biggest employers in the city, that's something you usually do for bigger cities, that is something that interests me.
It's pretty much Maritime ( a lot of Barge companies) We had Uranium Enrichment back in the 50s, but is being closed down and cleanup is in progress.
@@jameshiles7003 thanks for the info
I fancy I could spend enjoyable time in Paducah: a river front; a well preserved commercial center; a comfortable eating establishment that serves what sure looked like delectable beef tamales and chili; and the Silent Brigade Brewery featuring high grade bourbons, consumed, as you yourself once pointed out, with no more than a splash of water or, as in the video, just ice. That was new lumber on the floor inside the Gower House and the stairway to the second level was new; but that's hardly enough. Those brownish blotches below the overhanging porch are insect pods. A building with such historic associations deserves preservation.
Yeah, it looks like some thought is being put into renovating the Gower but not much effort. It's a shame, because great people have been inside those walls.
Whiskey friends! I love it! Looks like a fun place to see!
Thank you for the view inside the amish world, and again, for the degrees celsius 👍
Thanks for the video. Why doesn't the State buy the Gower House and renovate it as a Historical Landmark. That's what most states have done with historic buildings. It's shocking and disgraceful to allow that building to disintegrate.
I wonder that myself.
Hard to understand, especially since they've erected a state historic places plaque in front of it.
It would look even worse if the state took it over.
Thank you for going inside the Gower House. I was so nervous for you. I kept saying “don’t do it don’t do it” then you went upstairs lol. You’re amazing!!
I know, that could have been bad...😱
Paducahs downtown reminds me of where I'm from in Marquette Michigan. Cool town..
Terrific video! Thank you for sharing. Very interesting.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Quilt week is crazy, people from all over the world come to Paducah for this event.. Great video on west Ky.. ❤
I believe it!
I used to live a block up from that church in Paducah. Probably some of the best people you'll ever meet.
Great episode LS 👍
The Amish is the best place to get strawberries in the spring. Tomatoes and most garden vegs available in the summer. Hint: if you had kept on going right through downtown Marion KY headed North and out of town a few miles then you’d have turned left and be right in Amish land!! Such a beautiful place. Homemade bread, pies & donuts too.
Love Smithland KY. Too bad the hotel has not been preserved. Paducah is amazing! Great drone footage! Love the murals and river views. Looks like a great city to visit. Thank you for a great video!
I hope you get a chance to visit our little town. You will certainly enjoy yourself
I like your break down, sure makes it interesting , I was Widow twice by the time I was 43, 1st time at 36, With a child , I dry my wash on 100 foot line use my dryer for 1 hour a year ,
Sure lots of nice buildings and clean streets, no dead beats with tent s,, oops 90 proof take it easy with that stuff , or you will be walking side ways LOL
Just subscribed. I used to travel a lot, not anymore. Your videos fill the void. You do a great job explaining and narrating.
Thank you!
The big white house you see use to belong to the Smith family. They own a large contracting company. Side note the chandelier in the foyer came out of the white house at one time, so I've been told.
Hey guys, nice trip through KY. Very impressed with downtown Paducah, cheers !!
Great videos, very interesting to see different parts of the United States. I’m an Australian with a girl from Kentucky so I’ve been fortunate to visit a few times and just love it!
Really enjoying your vlogs which I watch every night here in the UK. Gower House is a fascinating place which should unquestionably be preserved. I also loved those murals by the stunning Ohio river. A very attractive place all around.
Great show. Appreciate the orientation at the beginning.
My wife, two of my children, and I visited Paducah in the mid-2000s. We were drawn to the murals on the flood walls and the Ohio River.
I've been through Paducah on I-24 but never been into town. Wow! I'm impressed. Nice town.
Congrats and thanks from Caracas, you really manage to give the feeling of traveling and first hand experience for many like me stuck in place.
Some of the Amish you showed are likely New Order Amish (vs Old Order Amish, Swartzentruber Amish, or some other ultra-conservative form) as they allow motorized tractors, other farm equipment, or other work equipment, with steel wheels (no rubber tires allowed). It looks like the guy with the Amish forklift manufactures lumber or pallets. However, there is a small chance that they were actually Old Order Mennonites.
Not many live in Paducah due to the taxes and regulations, the Columbia is in the process of being restored. the big house in Smithland is a private home, and Marion has a couple of nursing homes that may skew the widow/widower numbers. BTW there were a lot better places to eat than Doe's, Doe's is grossly over priced.
Loved the video. Very interesting historical history. The food looked good. It is always nice to see you and your wife enjoying your outings together, beautiful! 😊 Stay safe.
Joe breaking the law. Breaking the law. I love your videos! Been watching all summer long. Feels like I know the country now. Great work!
I travel vicariously through you right now. Wish I knew a few days ahead of time you were gonna be there because I would've mentioned the Brookport Bridge. It's also named after Irvin Cobb and it's an open steel deck bridge between Kentucky and Illinois. I'm no fan of heights, but I still wish to drive across that crazy bridge someday
Loved your visit to Gower House, wow, 1700's & such famous figures stayed there. The Ohio River is gorgeous. The bar & grill u visited was very pretty....Oh those meaballs & chili with cheese, & your wife's longuine & veggies and oh that YUMMY steak. I can do w/out alcohol, love my gingerale and lemonade too. Keep up the good work u 2. RB, Conyers, ga
Hallo schöne lost places, und eine sehr schöne Stadt, thank you
Mr, spoda for this video👍