This Is Kentucky's Quirkiest Little Town
Kentucky has always been a state where innovation meets tradition. From the massive cities like Louisville to quaint rural communities amid sprawling farmland, the Bluegrass State is known for much more than the type of grass growing on the pastures and lawns of the communities. The state is home to towns and cities with strange traditions and historical significance, led by towns like Corbin. This small municipality, situated in the southeastern corner of Kentucky, is bordered by the Daniel Boone National Forest and the Appalachian Mountains. Of all the small communities to visit in Kentucky, Corbin has a lot to offer travelers seeking a hearty dose of quirkiness.
The Quirky Past of Corbin
The town has been predominantly associated with the locomotive, as the late 19th century marked the arrival of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. At that time, the settlement was known as Lynn Camp. The growing community was renamed after James Corbin, who played a pivotal role in bringing the railroad and its accompanying influx of new people and businesses to the region. The Corbin Railroad Museum serves as a poignant reminder of this integral part of Corbin’s unique past, with its beautifully restored structure. This location has become a popular stop for history buffs and aficionados of the iron horse.
Renaming the town is nothing new, but the quirkiness of Corbin was cemented with its unique claim to fame, thanks to Colonel Harland Sanders, the founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken. To the good folks of Corbin, the legacy of Colonel Sanders extends far beyond the culinary arts and has become a testament to what is possible to anyone with enough determination. Today, traces of the iconic origins of KFC have a permanent residence at the Hardland Sanders Café and Museum. Exhibits include the motel rooms where the Colonel lived during various periods of his life and the original equipment used in creating the renowned ‘Original Recipe.’
Central to Kentucky’s Natural Wonders
One of the town’s interesting features is that it is situated at a similar distance from two of the state’s most heavily visited and utilized natural wonders: Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. The forest is located west of Corbin and is a vast wilderness that beckons to the adventurer, inviting them to the Bluegrass State. Travelers come here for one-of-a-kind hiking, camping, and rock climbing along the foothills of the Appalachian Mountain range.
Heading southwest of Corbin takes you to the Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, a site that plays into the quirkiness the town is known for, even though this natural wonder is about a 30-minute drive. People come from all over the country to this resort park to experience a moonbow, a phenomenon that happens at the ‘Niagara of the South’ where a rainbow forms from moonlight.
The Wars and How They Shaped Corbin
The Civil War impacted all of the states in the country; Kentucky was no different. Residents of Corbin were torn on their allegiance, with many of its people openly defiant of the union’s plan. You can still see many of these Civil War markers, which note skirmishes and troop movements through this region, adding a layer of historical value.
Corbin has also become a site of civil rights history, as it has a checkered past with the treatment of racial relations for its residents. After a peace agreement was reached following World War I, the town of Corbin briefly went into a lawless state, attempting to round up and remove those of different ethnicities, known as the Corbin, Kentucky race riot of 1919. As part of the town's current charm and welcoming nature, they acknowledge and discuss openly this part of their history, as they intended to make amends for the mistakes of the past in 1919 and pursue only the promise of a welcoming community for all.
The Perks and Quirks of Corbin Today
Perhaps one of the most beloved aspects of visiting Corbin is the community’s festivals and events. The NIBROC Festival (NIBROC being Corbin spelled backwards) stands head and shoulders above the rest, featuring a parade, vendors, fun contests, live music, and a great excuse for all of Corbin's eccentric citizens to have a good time.
For a town with a population under 8,000, the diversity in dining and small businesses is a draw in itself. In place of several possible chain eateries when you venture away from Interstate 75, Corbin has embraced local owners, such as Bubby’s BBQ and their Southern buffet, and the Old Town Grill, known by many for its filling breakfast options.
Corbin has evolved into much more than just a stop along the railroad over the years. It has evolved into an influential and vital part of American history, from being the site of Civil War skirmishes to the home of one of the most well-known entrepreneurs in our nation’s history: Colonel Harland Sanders. His legacy is as enduring as the natural wonders surrounding the community, such as the adventurers’ meccas of the Daniel Boone National Forest and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. There is always something new or uniquely historic to find and explore in Corbin, which might be the quirkiest town in Kentucky.
