Doe Run Inn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Doe Run Mill
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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| Nearest city | Brandenburg, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1792 |
| Architect | Thomas Stevenson |
| Part of | Doe Run Creek Historic District (ID78001386) |
The Doe Run Inn is a special place that used to be a mill and then a hotel. Today, it's a restaurant and an inn, which is like a small hotel. You can find it about two miles southeast of Brandenburg, Kentucky. This historic building is part of the Doe Run Creek Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 19, 1978. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in the United States.
Contents
Discovering Doe Run Creek
How the Creek Got Its Name
Back in 1778, a famous explorer named Squire Boone (who was the brother of Daniel Boone) explored this area with John McKinney. They discovered the creek and decided to name it Doe Run Creek. They chose this name because they saw many deer (female deer are called "does") living nearby.
Why Animals Loved the Creek
The creek was a great spot for animals because it had natural sulfur and salt licks. Salt licks are places where animals can lick minerals like salt from the ground, which they need for their health. Because of these natural resources, many large animals like buffalo and elk were attracted to the area.
Building the Historic Mill
From Mill to Inn
The main building of the Doe Run Inn was originally a mill. A mill is a building where grain (like wheat or corn) is ground into flour. This mill was built between 1788 and 1790 by Jonathan Essery. It was first known as Stevenson's Mill.
Strong and Sturdy Construction
The builders used strong materials from the local area. The mill was made from limestone found nearby, and the wooden timbers were cut and shaped by hand. The walls are very thick, about two feet! In 1800, a new part was added to the mill. Interestingly, Thomas Lincoln, who was the father of future President Abraham Lincoln, worked on this new section as a stonemason. A stonemason is someone who builds with stone.
A Changing History
From Mill to Barn
For many years, the mill didn't make much money. There were lots of other mills nearby, so competition was tough. By 1900, it was no longer used as a mill and became a barn, a place to store hay or shelter animals.
Becoming a Hotel
In 1901, W.D. Coleman bought the property and turned it into a hotel called the Sulfur Wells Hotel. Many tourists came to stay because they believed the sulfur water from the creek had health benefits.
The Doe Run Inn Today
Later, in 1947, the Haycraft family leased the Inn. Then, in 1958, Curtis and Lucille Brown leased it and gave it the name we know today: the Doe Run Inn.
The Historic District
The Doe Run Creek Historic District includes more than just the Inn. It also has another old mill and three houses. One of these houses was a log cabin, a simple home made from logs. The district also once had Meade County's very first hydro-electric plant, which used water power to make electricity!
Gallery
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Entrance to the property off the state highway
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Bridge near the inn along creek
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Doe Run Creek
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Waterfall along creek
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Interior of the inn
