2001 Beatty Heritage Award
Beattyville: Where It All Comes Together
By Emily Spencer
Many people are mislead when they are told that there was never or isn’t anything in Beattyville, Kentucky. Even the people here in Lee County don’t understand the true historical significance of this little town. There are many historical high points here, but the one that will always hold a special place in my heart is the beautiful Kentucky River. The Kentucky River has been an asset in many ways: it has provided many means of work and transportation, it has supplied food and recreation, and it has bestowed water and a beautiful view to the people of Beattyville and the surrounding counties.
The river does more than flow through the city; it starts right here in Beattyville. The North fork of the great Kentucky River meets the South fork directly behind city hall, where they flow into one to make the conjoining Kentucky River that you can see as you drive down the back street through town. One may not think that the joining of these two small tributaries is a big deal, but without it Beattyville would probably be non-existent.
The river has always been a major source of work and transportation to the citizens of our city. Before the railroad blasted its way through Lee County the river offered a convenient and inexpensive way to transport goods such as coil, oil, and lumber. Huge barges would make there way down the mighty Kentucky River loaded down with these natural resources which are fluent in the rich soils of Beattyville. As trade got larger the trains moved through, and slowed the barging on the river down, but still some prospectors found it less expensive to use the river to move their goods. Not only was it convenient for the working people, but it also helped the travelers. I have been told many stories by older generations, about going up north towards Lexington or down south towards Hazard by means of the boats on the busy Kentucky River. Then, of course, the railroad issue popped up again, and the boat transportation business, for the longer trips, slowed down tremendously.
The river has also brought much excitement and food to Beattyville. Throughout the summer you can find numerous fishermen, and boaters out on the river, and I’m sure it was the same a long time ago. There is a wonderful source of different fish and such food, enough for the whole community. Also, some families go down to the boat dock and unload into the peaceful waters and spend the whole day together. If they don’t go out on the river, they relax by the banks and have a family picnic. Some of these forms of entertainment are old family traditions, so they have been carried down and will probably continue. Now, fishermen have many tournaments right down in the middle of Beattyville. Many times throughout the warm weather months I even find myself taking a relaxing swim in the warm waters of our river.
In concerns of the actual water, the most relaxing aspect of the river is probably its beauty, but that’s not all. The river bestowed a way for housewives to keep up their housework. They used to wash their clothes, and even their children in the river! The river now provides, after a cleaning process, drinking water to the community. It not only supplies to Beattyville, but to some of the surrounding counties as well.
The list of historical facts, and the significance of the Kentucky River to Beattyville could go on and on. The river has given so much to the community and continues to offer great opportunities whether it’s just to have fun skiing down the water, or to catch dinner, it’s always going to be an important part of Beattyville. So the next time you’re in the area you should come through Beattyville and see where it all comes together.