Wises Landing, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wises Landing
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hamlet
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![]() Wises Landing on the 1953 Bethlehem, Indiana 1:24000 topographic map
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Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
County | Trimble |
Elevation | 446 ft (136 m) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
Wises Landing is a small community, also called a hamlet, located in Trimble County, Kentucky, Kentucky. It sits where Barebone Creek meets the Ohio River. This area was once a very busy port town. Boats would bring goods inland into Trimble County using the creeks.
Wises Landing was affected by a huge flood in 1937. Today, you can still find the Yeager General Store there. This historic store was built in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1974, a large power plant was planned for the area. It was finished in 1990.
Contents
Discovering Wises Landing's Past
Wises Landing is found at the mouth of Barebone Creek. This creek flows into the Ohio River. Another important waterway nearby is Corn Creek. These creeks were like highways for trade in the past.
A Busy River Port
In the 1800s, Wises Landing was a very active river port. It was first known as Fix's Landing. Henry Philip Fix, a farmer, started a store here in 1845. He might have been one of the first people to settle in this spot.
Later, around 1876, the area was named after the Wise family. This could be Jesse Wise, who bought land from Fix, or William Wise, who fought in the American Revolutionary War. The community had a post office called Corn Creek, even though it was actually located at Wise's Landing. This post office operated from 1878 until about 1912.
Life in the Hamlet
In 1920, about 200 people lived in Wises Landing. The community faced a big challenge with the 1937 Ohio River flood. This flood was so powerful that it washed away almost all the buildings in the lower part of town. Only two buildings were left standing.
The historic Yeager General Store survived the flood. It was built in 1911 and is now a protected landmark. Wises Landing also used to have two churches, a Baptist church and a Christian church.
Exploring the Surrounding Area
Wises Landing is part of Trimble County, Kentucky. The area around it has interesting natural features and history.
Nearby Creeks and Hollows
Barebone Creek and Corn Creek are major waterways in Trimble County. These creeks were important for travel and trade long ago. North of Corn Creek, you can find Payne Hollow. This remote area was once home to famous artists Harlan and Anna Wonder Hubbard. It's a quiet place, only reachable by foot or boat.
Another area is Preston Hollow, which used to be a large plantation. It was part of a huge farm called Norfolk Farm. These hollows show how the land was used in the past.
The Trimble County Power Plant
In 1974, the Louisville Gas & Electric Company (LG&E) chose the Wises Landing area for a new power plant. This plant is known as the Trimble County Power Plant. Construction started in 1979 and involved clearing a lot of land.
The plant finally opened in 1990. To build it, parts of Corn Creek had to be changed. This created a disconnected oxbow lake, which is a U-shaped lake formed when a river changes course. The plant also has ponds for waste materials.
Education and Faith
Wises Landing had its own school building called the Totten School. It was a simple building where students of all ages learned together.
Community Churches
The community of Wises Landing had two main churches. One was a Baptist church called Corn Creek Church. It was founded way back in 1800. This church was a central part of the community's life for many years. It had many members and different preachers over time.
The other church was the Macedonia Christian Church. Its cemetery is still in Wises Landing today. There are also other old cemeteries in the area, like the Fix Farm cemetery and the Richardson cemetery. These cemeteries are reminders of the people who lived in Wises Landing long ago.