| Page Views: 2,091 Last Visit to Harlan: 2005 I Live Here | Harlan.....Music, Mountains and More. by Gra8ful - last update: Aug 21, 2007 |
My Home Town "Harlan County"
Dream of All Dreams Harlan, Kentucky was named after Silas Harlan. Harlan is located in the far southeastern part of the state also called “ the eastern coal fields” reaching along the Virginia border and through the Appalachian mountains. Harlan is full of mountains some being high and some being low. The highest peak in Harlan, is on a mountain named Black mountain, which reaches its highest peak around 4345ft above sea level. You may have heard of black mountain before, because recently Black mountain was on the local news stations as along with some local students for helping save Black mountain, mountain top.
I myself live in another mountain located in Harlan. I live in Black Star, which is another mountain that is known through the U.S. for its’ major source of coal. Black star has one of the biggest coal operations through out the U.S. The coal dug in Harlan has supported many families in Harlan. The coal industry has declined in the last few years, because of its’ high cost, and the recent development of newer and safer technology.
Harlan county is also one of the most beautiful places in the world. Just take a walk in one of our parks, such as Kingdom Come State Park, or take a hike through one of Harlan’s nature trail tours. A walk through Harlan county’s
Hensley settlement is one of the most beautiful sites you will ever see. With the great population of wildlife in Harlan, you might be able to see a Black bear, Elk and even deer. These animals are always a enjoyment to see.
Harlan is also locally famous for local home town fun. In Harlan ever year they have a festival, which is called the Polk Salad Festival. The festival is great for meeting old friends and making new friends. Around the court house square you can check out all the booths set up, selling foods and games and also arts and crafts. You might even hear some of the best gospel and bluegrass music around during the festival. After checking out the festival you might be ready to take a big splash. Martins Fork Lake is also located Harlan. Martins Fork has a beach side on the lake where you can swim and even lay out in the sun if you want to.
After you have take in everything Harlan has to offer and your ready to head out, just remember to obey all laws and don’t speed leaving, because Harlan does have its’ on Kentucky State Police Post 10. So remember if you want to see some of the most beautiful sites you may ever see, just come on down to Harlan county, the dream of all dreams. (This info was gathered by my son Jesse for his 6th grade class paper) |
| Pastor Ed pick en and Grinning |
|  | Music is a tradition here in E. Kentucky This is my former Pastor, [Rev. Ed Houston, Just picking away. He is an awesome singer and can play just about anything. My dad also can sing and play guitar. I play bass and guitar at times myself. Here in Eastern Kentucky it's not unusual to have a great singer in just about every household. There are a lot a famous singers from Eastern Kentucky like: The Judd's, Loretta Lynn, Ricky Scaggs, Keith Whitley, Patty Lovelace, the list goes on.
What is Sacred Harp singing? Sacred Harp singing is the largest surviving branch of traditional American Shape Note Singing. “Sacred Harp” refers to The Sacred Harp, a book first published in 1844 and continuously updated since. Along with other hymn books from the era, its repertoire of 550 4-part a cappella hymns, odes, and anthems is part of the foundation of a vibrant oral tradition handed down since Colonial times and still practiced at hundreds of annual singing meetings, conventions, and local singing groups throughout the country. There's no harp in Sacred Harp singing -- no instruments at all. Just the power of voice, in four-part harmony. The origin of the music goes back centuries -- first in England, then in colonial New England, then the music migrated south, where it took root. |
| Sangers--(Are people who hunt Wild Ginseng)
Wild Ginseng-Backwoods appeal The best ginseng roots - those with the elongated neck of a Giacometti sculpture, a few twisting rootlets at the bottom and the general aspect of a wizened gnome - can sell for more than $100 apiece. Run-of-the-mill roots go for $300 or more a pound in the booming Asian market. In China, wild ginseng is prized as a source of focus, vitality and well-being. In Appalachia, from the time of the 18th-century frontiersman Daniel Boone, it has been a prized source of income. There are indications of a slow but steady decline in the wild ginseng harvest, though the extent and causes are matters of dispute. Our family like to go looking for it in the mountains, each year we have noticed that it gets more and more harder to find. The federal Fish and Wildlife Service designates states as responsible for monitoring the harvest and the export of the wild root. The Kentucky harvest of wild ginseng root is the largest in the country. The volume exported by the state has fluctuated widely, but the harvests in even the good years have gradually declined since 1996. Harvest seasons from mid-August until late fall. | | | Wild ginseng plants "2005" |
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| Pros: | "Beautiful!" | | Cons: | "You might never wanna leave" | | In A Nutshell: | "Heaven here on Earth" |
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 Comments for Gra8ful about Harlan | | | | |
BeatChick Sat May 20, 2006 19:34 UTC
Wonderful to read about your Harlan Co. page & to see your photos. We found the place to be beautiful ourselves. Since we found our g-grandmother's grave we'll certainly be back to those beautiful mtns!! :) Oh, you forgot to mention Dwight Yoakum! | Stephen-KarenConn Tue Jan 17, 2006 20:25 UTC
Country Roads, take me home. Glad to see these Harlan pages coming along again. | Sininen Sat Dec 31, 2005 06:01 UTC
Hello Angel Wings! HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes from Finland! In what a beautiful place you are living! Greetings, Sini | johanl Thu Oct 13, 2005 20:19 UTC
have to visit harlan county when i come to ky next time |
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