Cleopatra, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cleopatra, Kentucky
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 Cleopatra, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Cleopatra, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | McLean |
| Elevation | 453 ft (138 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| GNIS feature ID | 507714 |
Cleopatra is a small, historic place in McLean County, Kentucky, United States. It's known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a recognized place, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Cleopatra was also once called Tichenors Store.
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A Look Back at Cleopatra's History
Cleopatra has a fascinating past. It was officially recognized by the state of Kentucky in 1862. This meant it had clear boundaries. These boundaries stretched half a mile in every direction from a special stone. This stone was placed right in front of Tichenors Store.
The Famous Tichenors Store
The story of Cleopatra really begins with Thomas Cicero Tichenor. He was often called T.C. Tichenor. In 1867, T.C. Tichenor opened a general store. This store became a central part of the community. It was so important that the whole area was sometimes known as Tichenors Store!
Life in Cleopatra in the 1880s
By 1884, Cleopatra was a busy little place. A book called the Kentucky State Gazetteer and Business Directory described it. It said about 50 people lived there. Mail was delivered twice a week, which was quite good for the time! T.C. Tichenor, the store owner, also served as the postmaster. This meant he was in charge of the mail.
What Businesses Were There?
Cleopatra had many different businesses and people helping the community.
- M.D. Bandy was a blacksmith. He shaped metal to make tools and fix things.
- Reverend J. A. Brooks was a Baptist preacher. He led church services.
- A.B. Hadon ran a grocery store.
- J.F. McGuin was a carpenter. He built and repaired wooden structures.
- G.W. Moseley operated a flour mill. This is where grain was ground into flour.
- Sherwood Massey was a coal miner. He dug for coal, a very important fuel.
- C.R. Robertson was a physician, or doctor.
- W.K. Robertson was a pharmacist. He prepared and sold medicines.
Tichenors Store itself was described as a "dry goods store." This means it sold things like fabric, clothing, and other household items, not fresh food.
Changes at the Store
Over time, T.C. Tichenor sold his store. It was first sold to his brother-in-law, James Fincastle "Fin" Short. Later, Fin Short sold it to Courtland Lee (C.L.) Short. Sadly, the original store building burned down in 1918. But the community didn't give up! In 1923, Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Leachman opened a new store. They used a building that used to be a lodge hall.
