Bowling Green was the Confederate Capitol of Kentucky during the Civil War, and after being taken by Union forces, remained under martial law until 1865. The home of the Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers, Bowling Green is just a short drive from Mammoth Cave National Park and Shakertown at South Union. Here Aaron Burr stood his first trial for treason, Henry Clay practiced his first oratory, the old Indian fighter Simon Kenton pleaded relief from taxes, John Bibb developed Bibb lettuce and Daniel and Rebecca Boone lay in state in the Old Capitol before they were buried on a scenic hill overlooking the city. Frankfort is also the site of the only Kentucky building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. The heart of Kentucky's fabled Bluegrass, Lexington is known around the world for its sleek thoroughbred horses, miles of stone fences and gently rolling, lush pastureland, and the great basketball of the Wildcats at the University of Kentucky.
Horses are a way of life, as well as an industry, in the horse capitol of the world.
Founded by General George Rogers Clark in 1778 at the Falls of the Ohio River, Louisville today is a city of fine arts and architecture, historic sites and horse racing, and the Cardinals of the University of Louisville. Horses are an integral part of the Louisville scene. Perhaps the city's greatest pride is the Kentucky Derby, a racing tradition since the first race in 1875. The Kentucky Derby Festival, America's largest civic celebration, makes the pre-Derby days even more exciting with the Great Balloon Race, the Pegasus Parade, the Great Steamboat Race and much more. Louisville is known internationally as a cultural center, with theater, orchestra, ballet, opera and Broadway plays.