Молния ударила в супермаркет .Ресторан . Дорога домой .

Somerset is one of the most interesting small towns in southern Kentucky. Today, it's known as the gateway to Lake Cumberland, but its history begins long before the lake's formation. Sumerset was founded in 1798 by settler Thomas Hansford. The town was named after Somerset County, New Jersey, where many of the first residents came from. Just a few years later, in 1801, the town became the county seat of Pulaski County. The first residents were farmers, hunters, and loggers. Southern Kentucky was then comprised of dense Appalachian forests, home to black bears; cougars; wolves; bison (until the early 19th century); and vast herds of deer. Houses were built of logs, and roads were simply trails through the forest. The Civil War During the Civil War, Kentucky found itself on the border between two worlds. In January 1862, the Battle of Mill Springs, one of the Union Army's first major victories, took place very close to Somerset. A year later, in March 1863, another battle took place near the town—the Battle of Dutton's Hill, which ended in a Union victory. These events played a crucial role in maintaining Kentucky under Union control. The railroad transformed the town. Until 1875, Somerset remained a quiet rural community. When the Southern Railway arrived, the town began to grow rapidly: sawmills, furniture workshops, warehouses, hotels, and shops appeared. Timber was the region's main resource, so woodworking became one of the first industries. Traveling Librarians. In the late 1930s, Somerset was involved in an unusual project. During the Great Depression, librarians carried books on horseback to the mountain villages of Appalachia. This project, called the Pack Horse Library, became one of the symbols of the American fight against illiteracy. Lake Cumberland—the town's rebirth. A real revolution occurred after the construction of the Wolf Creek Dam. In 1950, the enormous artificial Lake Cumberland was formed. This changed everything: thousands of tourists arrived; marinas opened; hotels were built; campgrounds sprang up; and fishing and yachting tourism developed. Today, Somerset is considered one of the main tourist capitals of southern Kentucky precisely because of this lake. The town's population is currently about 12,000, but tens of thousands of vacationers flock here in the summer. The town is known for: the beautiful historic Fountain Square; the classic car festival Somernites Cruise; music festivals; Proximity to the Daniel Boone National Forest; Numerous caves, springs, and karst formations of the Appalachian Mountains. Interesting Facts Sumerset is located approximately 35-40 minutes from Cumberland Falls, known as the "Niagara of the South." Nearby is Lake Cumberland, one of the largest artificial lakes in the United States by volume. Due to the limestone formations surrounding the town, there are dozens of caves, sinkholes, and underground rivers. Why is Somerset so beloved by Kentuckians? This town is a wonderful blend of several worlds: a quiet small-town atmosphere, a rich history dating back to the early settlers; the majestic nature of the Appalachian Mountains; a vast lake with recreational opportunities; proximity to forests where you can still encounter deer, turkeys, foxes, coyotes, and a variety of rare birds. For many southern Kentuckians, Somerset is a place where pioneer history and wilderness beauty live alongside modern life.