Formed in 1858 by the Kentucky legislature from land that had been parts of Madison, Estill,…read moreOwsley, Clay, Laurel, and Rockcastle counties, the county was named for Andrew Jackson, the 7th President of the United States who was the first that was from west of the Appalachian Mountains. It was also the 106th of Kentucky's 120 counties to be formed. The building faces south and is a two story red colored brick and concrete structure. The south front has a central entrance on the first story with a projecting balcony on the second story with clock above at the roof line. On the east and west sides, the building projects at the center. The windows are vertical. The roof line is flat. It looks a bit Art Deco to me with the clock on the front and the "1950" lettering. It's cute and appropriately sized for such a small county. On a Sunday morning, it was completely locked and secured but still worth checking out. [Review 20169 overall - 209 in Kentucky - 1145 of 2023.]

Along this curvy road through rural Kentucky, this marker points out a small skirmish that took…read moreplace here during the Civil War. Kentucky was a border state and officially declared its neutrality but eventually requested the Union's help. The marker reads, "August 23, 1862, 650 cavalry of Gen. E. Kirby Smith's invading CSA army routed small Federal force under Col. Leonidas Metcalfe here on way to seize Ky., cooperating with CSA army under Gen. Braxton Bragg. Central Ky. captured, but plans to take Cincinnati and Louisville failed. CSA retired from Kentucky after Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862." This is marker 1124 and it was erected in 1968 by the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Department of Highways. [Review 20171 overall - 211 in Kentucky - 1147 of 2023.]

I usually come here every few weeks for pathfinders, and may I say it's amazing. It's clean, and…read morenice rooms for it. There is a big selection of books I have personally seem. Whenever I'm here alone there's also a good teen/young adult section

Very nice on the inside! Supportive staff and kept very clean! I love to go here to study!read more

Located at the center of McKee, this marker points out the history of the county for which it is…read morethe county seat. The courthouse is adjacent as well as the sheriff's office. On a Sunday morning, there was plenty of parking. The marker reads, "County named, 1858. For Andrew Jackson, the 7th US President, 1829-37, first to be elected from west of Appalachians. First Representative in Congress from Tenn., 1796-97. In US Senate twice, 1797 and 1823. Victorious commander at New Orleans, 1815. County formed from small parts of Madison, Estill, Owsley, Clay, Laurel and Rockcastle, every adjoining county, except Lee." This is marker 1145 and it was erected in 1968 by the Kentucky Historical Society and the Kentucky Department of Highways. [Review 20168 overall - 208 in Kentucky - 1144 of 2023.]

Walking through the mostly abandoned Richmond Mall on the way to the driver's license office feels…read morelike stepping into a time capsule that never quite got sealed. The air is faintly cool and carries that unmistakable, slightly dusty mall scent--a blend of tile cleaner, food court grease, and decades of hair spray and nail polish remover (worth noting, two of the remaining stores are a nail salon and what I believe was a former Regis Salon... the staple mall salon of the 90's where Gen X and Millennials were traumatized with the experience of horrible high school dance hair do's that remained plastered to your head for days due to all the hair spray). The wide tiled corridors stretch out, eerily quiet and nostalgically peach colored, but your mind almost fills them with echoes: teenagers in acid-wash jeans, jangly bracelets, and oversized sweaters clustering at Aladdin's Castle; you almost crave the thrum of a fountain and the squeak of white sneakers on polished tile remains. (Today I coincidentally wore white Bobs sneakers, an unintended homage to 25 years ago when I would have been in Keds!) The faded pastel walls and neon trim still reflect the 1980s--mint greens, peachy pinks, and geometric accents that wouldn't feel out of place in the opening credits of Saved by the Bell. You half expect Zack Morris to lean against a payphone or Kelly Kapowski to walk past clutching a brightly colored oversized shopping bag. Every shuttered storefront seems to hold a memory of when the mall was the center of social life--Friday night hangouts, first dates, prom dress shopping, families crowding in line for Orange Julius. Ironically, the current stores and businesses are primarily bridal or formal wear or what appears to be a fairly popular community church. I do have to comment on the crazy collision and juxtaposition of two quintessentially American social constructs - the hip non-denominational church and the former temple of commercial consumerism. A quick search describes the church as a friendly and service-based community and I will admit that I find a strange sense of positive harmony in their use of this space. Despite the eerily abandoned and run down exterior, the interior of the mall was immaculately clean and while the Drivers Bureau could have had better signage and directions (you have to squander some faith when entering the mall at the direction of your GPS), I applaud our government for their use of this space. A short walk into the heart of the former mall finds a well-staffed office and a digital check in system that was highly efficient and ran promptly on time. The whole experience was more than a little surreal: a bureaucratic errand tucked inside the skeleton of America's mall culture, where the décor and the emptiness are both creepy and nostalgic. My main complaint for this visit was the depressing gray cubicles and unfortunately excessive fluorescent lighting inside the offices. While good drivers license photos are seldom a reality, this venue yielded my least flattering photo of all time - my picture (which the clerk was kind enough to call 'flattering'), was a depressing, washed out mug shot that created bags under my eyes and hinted at a scandalous profession and past that I shudder to imagine. (I am now considering investing in a quick trip to a spa for laser treatments and Botox to remove any hint that I actually appear to others as I do in this photo!) My photo withstanding, I have to commend the staff as they were all friendly, helpful, and kind. The gentleman that helped me truly was a nice man and I could tell he was respected by his colleagues. For anyone needing a quick appointment in the great Commonwealth of Kentucky - Richmond is your venue. It was the only location in Kentucky with an appointment in reasonable time frame and the drive in from Lexington saved a four month wait. The whole trip turned into an incredible adventure and it took me longer to write this review than it did to renew my license.

Went there on a Saturday I was in and out! They kept the line moving quickly. And the ladies were…read morevery friendly!

This marker is located at a small intersection along US-421 near Bighill, Kentucky. As with many of…read morethe markers in the Commonwealth, it points out some Civil War history that took place here. The marker reads, "Aug. 23, 1862, Col. Scott's La. cavalry, of Gen. Kirby Smith's invading army from Tenn., routed Col. Metcalfe and Union troops. Approaching Richmond as USA army arrived, Scott went back to Camp Wildcat, then joined Smith in Richmond victory, Aug. 30, 1862. Mar. 1864, Gen. Grant on way to take command of all US armies stopped at house south of here." It is marker number 514 and it was erected by the Kentucky historical Society after it was cast in 1962. [Review 2005 of 2024 - 273 in Kentucky - 23027 overall]