Axtel, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Axtel, Kentucky
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 Axtel, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Axtel, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Breckinridge |
| Elevation | 594 ft (181 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP codes |
40103
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| GNIS feature ID | 507431 |
Axtel is a small, unincorporated community in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a place where people live, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. St. Anthony's Catholic Church is an important landmark located in Axtel.
Contents
History of Axtel
How Axtel Got Its Name
The story of how Axtel got its name is quite interesting! Back in 1891, two local pioneers, William L. 'Billy' Cannon and Ferd McClellan, wanted to open a post office. They wrote a letter asking for a name. In their letter, they said, "We have rote to ax yo to tel us a name fo our post office." The postmaster supposedly took the "ax" and "tel" from their letter and combined them to create "A-X-T-E-L."
The post office opened in 1891. It served the community for many years before finally closing on January 2, 1993. Before it was officially named Axtel, the community might have been known by other names. Some people believe it was called St. Anthony, after the local church. Others think it might have been known as Long Lick, named after a nearby creek.
Church and Schools in Axtel
The first Roman Catholic church in the Axtel area was built way back in 1819. It was named for St. Anthony the Abbott. This church has been a central part of the community for a very long time.
Over the years, there were several attempts to start a school for the church.
- Around 1820, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth tried to open a school, but it didn't last.
- In 1823, the Sisters of Loretto also tried to establish a school, but it wasn't successful either.
- From 1830 to 1836, the church parish itself tried to run a school.
Finally, a school was built again in the 1920s. This time, it was staffed by the Ursulines, a group of Catholic sisters dedicated to education. This school provided education for children in Axtel for many decades. However, it eventually closed its doors in 1971.
Rough River Lake Connection
In 1961, the US Army Corps of Engineers finished building a dam. This dam created a large body of water known as Rough River Lake. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor activities. After the lake was formed, a boat ramp and a campground were built close to the Axtel community. This made it easier for people to enjoy boating and camping at the lake.
