Berea, KY

For the past year and a half, I have wanted to go to Berea and checkout the town, especially after walking through Midway, KY.  While in college, we competed against Berea College in some epic track meets and in basketball.  Probably one of the nastiest dunk that I saw was when my man Rob dunked on that guy at Berea our senior year.  Anyways, I have heard so many people talk about the beauty of the town...so we went.  And....I will have to say that Berea ranks as one of the loveliest places that I have ever been in Kentucky (hard to take the place of Bowling Green and Franklin).  We took a backroad to London, which provided nice scenery in itself on some windy roads going along the ridge tops.  When we got to Berea, we parked in Old Town and walked along the main street and headed toward the college.  Berea is well known for the work produced by Kentucky Folk Artisans.  You can see much of their work in the shops along the street in Old Town.  Before getting to the college, we walked through the college's EcoVillage.  The EcoVillage was extremely fascinating as seeing a sustainable community built with the idea in mind of being eco-friendly.  You hear of these places, but it was awesome seeing it in action (Ecowaste system, gardens, clothes lines, etc.)  After we walked through the apartments, we went up to the school.

For those that do not know, Berea College has a very gorgeous campus.  For some odd reason, I like the small college atmosphere.  I have always liked their ideals, principles, and foundations.  Founded in 1855, Berea College was established with the intent in mind that all persons regardless of race are equal.  After the Civil War (c. 1966), it fulfilled its dream as being the only school in the South that was fully integrated.  This dream of John Fee (founder) lasted until the State of Kentucky passed the Day Law (c. 1904).  The US Supreme Court Hearing Berea College v. Kentucky (1908) upheld the "right of the states to prohibit private educational institutions charted as corporations from admitting both black and white students." (Wikipedia.org).  Berea College became integrated again in the 1955 after Kentucky amended its law following the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954).  Berea continues to provide assistance to those who are in financial need.  Each student has at least 10 hours a week of work study which is used to help contribute to their financial aid package.

As we walked around campus, we crossed the street to look at Boone Tavern.  There, we were greeted by a hotel worker (Fred) who took us around the Historic Tavern and provided us with the history of the community, college, as well as the tavern.  Fred said that he created the tour itself because people were always asking questions upon entering or staying at the tavern.  If you ever have a chance, stop in to look at the tavern.  If you are lucky, you will get the tour from Fred.

We left the Tavern and continued walking back toward Old Town by going through downtown.  We went to a local Fudge Shoppe and had the best conversation with its proprietor.  She made us feel that we were most important people while we were there.  I will say that the Chocolate Malt was very filling and yummy on a nice warm late winter/early spring day.  She was the one who told me that "there are no ugly places in Kentucky, just people who keep messy yards."  Before leaving Berea altogether, we ate at the Dinner Bell restaurant that provided us with the desired nourishment before getting back on the road.

Below are a few pictures that I want to share from the trip to Berea.  As I said in the beginning, I really liked Berea after going through the town.  It is a peaceful and beautiful college town that has a lot to offer for someone who likes the small college atmosphere. 

The first picture was taken of the sign outside of the Boone Tavern Hotel.

The second picture is of a pillow with a B (for Berea of Boone Tavern...not really sure) on a chair in the lobby of the tavern.

The third picture of a sign on an old Car Wash / Car Repair Building in Old Town.



The fourth picture is of spring flowers located outside of the Boone Tavern.



The fifth picture is of a chandelier located inside of the old entrance at the Boone Tavern.



The bonus picture is of the Fudge Shoppe that we talked with the woman and ordered the chocolate malt and fudge.