The Haunting of a Bourbon Town (by Jeff Waldridge)
Lawrenceburg, a charming small town nestled in Central Kentucky, is a frequent destination for us. Its historic downtown and vibrant local businesses make it a delightful place to explore. Among our favorite spots is Tastefully Delicious, a shop that offers an extraordinary array of homemade baked goods and unique treats. Recently, the owners have expanded their business to include The Kentucky Bookstore, which showcases books by Kentucky authors, books about Kentucky, and books set in the state. The friendly staff makes our visits even more enjoyable, as we relish our conversations as much as the products we purchase.
A few weeks ago, while browsing the bookstore, one of the staff members recommended a book titled ‘The Haunting of a Bourbon Town’ by Jeff Waldridge and John Cosper. It was an easy sell—it was October, I’m always drawn to ghost stories, and I particularly enjoy learning about the history of places I visit. Jeff Waldridge, a local historian, operates walking ghost tours in town.
Jeff’s narration took me on a journey through the town’s history. He began by recounting Lawrenceburg’s origins and its rise to prominence as a bourbon-producing hub. However, he also delved into the profound impact of Prohibition on the decline of local distilleries. Today, only two distilleries remain—Four Roses and Wild Turkey. Jeff has investigated the mansions built by iconic bourbon figures like T.B. Ripy, W.F. Bond, and C.C. Lillard.
The book also explores the history and ghost stories of old downtown hotels that have since fallen into disrepair, as well as the courthouse and city hall. Jeff even mentioned the famous Civil War site in nearby Perryville. Throughout the book, he shares numerous stories of unusual events that have occurred over the decades, not all of which are ghost-related. These wild and unique stories often led to arrests.
‘The Haunting of a Bourbon Town’ piqued my interest in the history of Lawrenceburg and the accompanying photographs. It wasn’t a book I chose for its writing, but rather for the stories. I believe what people claim to have experienced and won’t judge anyone’s personal encounters with the supernatural. (I’ve had my own experiences.) Unfortunately, the ghost hunting community is filled with individuals who embellish and fabricate stories for entertainment. I prefer logical explanations and don’t appreciate when people write narratives to fit with one’s beliefs. On a few occasions, I noticed that some stories in this book seemed to fit the author’s narrative and may have lacked objectivity.
The history of Lawrenceburg is truly fascinating, and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about its past businesses and residents. It sparked meaningful conversations with locals who have personal memories of the town. My innate curiosity about how people lived decades and even centuries ago made this book a delightful glimpse into their lives.
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