Kentucky has plenty of small towns that are worth talking about, but not all of them have an unusual story to tell like this small piece of land lying in our westernmost territory! Tucked over in Fulton County, it has a unique history you may be surprised to hear about.
Right along the Mississippi River surrounded by Kentucky and Missouri is the tiny county of Fulton.
Google Maps
Now only home to a few handful of Kentucky’s residents, most of us refer to this area of our state as the Kentucky Bend, New Madrid Bend or even the Bessie Bend.
Derek Bruff/Flickr
Made up of open space, cotton fields and a few homes, the small town community was once home to hundreds of people.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
But as history would have it, the two main families that once ruled this land ended up going for each other’s throats, literally.
Wikimedia Commons
With a fight that began over a livestock-related argument, the Watson family managed to completely wipe out the Darnell family line.
Wikimedia Commons
Leaving next to no one left in town, this tiny area of Kentucky had a diminishing population that’s dwindled down to next to nothing today.
Google Maps During the mid 1800s, both Missouri and Tennessee originally fought over who should be able to claim this land that’s entirely surrounded by the Mississippi River. But eventually The Volunteer State would let the land go to Kentucky, now known as one of our most unique areas of the state.
Another reason you’ll hear people talking about this part of Kentucky? In the very early 1800s, the area experienced one of the strongest earthquakes to ever be experienced in our country. Known as the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, natural wonders like Reelfoot Lake were said to be created after this major shift in the ground. Today, you’ll only find evidence of this epic event from above, with sand volcanoes running down the peninsula. Interesting, huh?
Have you ever made your way out to this separate piece of our state? Wondering what other mysterious spots can be found lying around? Then take a trip to experience This Strange Phenomenon In Kentucky That Is Too Weird For Words!
Google Maps
Derek Bruff/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Wikimedia Commons
During the mid 1800s, both Missouri and Tennessee originally fought over who should be able to claim this land that’s entirely surrounded by the Mississippi River. But eventually The Volunteer State would let the land go to Kentucky, now known as one of our most unique areas of the state.
Another reason you’ll hear people talking about this part of Kentucky? In the very early 1800s, the area experienced one of the strongest earthquakes to ever be experienced in our country. Known as the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811 and 1812, natural wonders like Reelfoot Lake were said to be created after this major shift in the ground. Today, you’ll only find evidence of this epic event from above, with sand volcanoes running down the peninsula. Interesting, huh?
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