Hudson, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hudson, Kentucky
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 Hudson, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Hudson, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Breckinridge |
| Elevation | 784 ft (239 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
40145
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| Area code(s) | 270 |
| GNIS feature ID | 508289 |
Hudson is a small place in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it's a settlement that doesn't have its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county. Hudson is located about 13.4 miles (21.6 km) southeast of Hardinsburg. It also has its own post office with the ZIP code 40145.
Contents
Exploring Hudson's Past
Hudson has a long and interesting history. It all started in 1810 when Joseph Hudson arrived in Breckinridge County. He claimed land that would later become the community named after him.
Early Settlers and Community Life
The very first people to settle in Hudson included George Holmes and Rafeal Cox. Doctor George Legrand, Steve Critchelow, Henry Tucker, and Mac Jauncy also settled there. Steve Critchelow's sons, Bill and Tom, later ran a mill and blacksmith shop for 60 years in nearby McDaniels.
Hudson During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, four men from Hudson joined the Union Army. They were Elza Tucker, Bill Tucker, Bill Monroe, and Nic Mercer. Luckily, all four of them returned home safely after the war.
At that time, groups of guerillas (soldiers not part of a regular army) visited homes in Hudson. They took valuable items like horses and woolen clothing.
Building the Community: Mills and Businesses
Soon after the Civil War, Mac Jauncy built a gristmill. A gristmill is a place where people can grind grain, like corn, into meal. This mill was located by Calimese Creek. It was powered by a single horse, which walked in circles to turn the grinding stones. People would leave some of their ground meal as payment, following an "honor system." This meant they paid what they thought was fair, even if Mac Jauncy wasn't there.
Doctor George Legrand was the first doctor in this part of the county. His family still owns some of the land he settled on.
Later, a man named Riley Johnson ran a distillery in Hudson. A distillery is a place where alcoholic drinks are made. His business stopped when Prohibition began, which made it illegal to make or sell alcohol. Riley Johnson's whiskey was shipped in wooden barrels to Leitchfield.
Historic Homes and Family Legacies
The very first house built by Joseph Hudson is still standing today. His original land is still owned by his family, now in its sixth generation. Bert Keesee lives in this old log home. He enjoys the same fireplace and living room that Joseph Hudson built many years ago.
The Evolution of Education in Hudson
Hudson has had several schools over the years. The first school was built in 1840. It was a log cabin located on a hill towards Dyer. The seats inside were simple: split logs with wooden pegs for legs.
The next school was a frame building located about 200 yards down Fairfield Road. Over time, this building became old and worn out.
Another school was built in 1890. It was located at the top of a hill on the road towards Madrid. This was the same year a big cyclone (a type of storm) hit the area.
The last school in Hudson was built in 1924. The land for this school was given by W. H. Tucker. William Thompson taught his first class in this one-room building. He had 58 students and taught all eight grades! This school closed in 1957. Its students then went to Custer's school, which is called "consolidation" when smaller schools combine.
Hudson Today
Today, Hudson is a quiet community. It has two stores, a Methodist church, and a Masonic Lodge. W. H. Tucker has run the general store since 1930. His wife has managed the post office there since 1936.
