The Gower House looked amazing. It is a shame a place that historic, almost 250 years old has been forgotten. Thanks for documenting it for us all to see. Definitely a awesome place.
😢 sad to see it in such a neglected state! If rich, and richer people could be informed they may want to preserve this grand historical part of our past!
I'm not in America so I don't know how these things work but are the owners not obliged to maintain a building like this ? Or if that's not possible is there an organisation like the UK'S National trust which purchases and maintains historic buildings?
Greetings from a spring-like day in suburban London, UK where the temperature has risen to a balmy 9C! Yep, I like that part of Kentucky especially the distillery. I'm intrigued to know the artists that played over your drone footage I find that music most relaxing and hypnotic. That very large building with the whitewash walls and black wood beams is what I would call Old English Tudor. Excellent video 🙂
What a shame! The historic value of the the Gower house should be more appropriated and preserved for future generations! How cool would it be to restore it and rent the rooms out to visitors world wide. All you need are would be a few willing investors to make it happen! If I had the $$, I would do it myself!!
The Gower House has such a rich history and it's such a shame to see it in that condition. It was built just 4 years after this country was founded. I would think that the state of Kentucky would want to preserve it. It would however, require a lot of money to bring it back but sadly there probably aren't enough visitors to the area to support it. I can only hope that a philanthropist or civic minded corporations would see its importance and restore it to its original condition. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
2 & 3 years ago the rivers over flowed their banks causing the river front homes to flood. The Gower house is privately owned. It's my understanding they will and are in the process of revitalization and restoration once again.
This channel provides excellent information about interesting places long forgotten in history!! Love to study the economic and demographic changes over time in these places!! Really do hope somebody can return some of these places to its past glory someday!!
If you ever come back to Kentucky I think you would love Harrodsburg KY and bardstown KY. They are very historical and have preserved a lot. Harrodsburg was founded by James Harrod and Daniel Boone. It has a nice park with a guided tour of first pioneer settlement. Many enactment steak place in Harrods Park. It is also home to shakertown village which is very nicely preserved and full of information sites. It is also about 10 minutes from the perryville battlefield in perryville Kentucky. And has almost perfectly preserved the marriage house of Abraham Lincoln and his wife.
Great video. Smithland is a very historic town. I have worked there across from the grocery for years. The huge house by the river was called the Smith House for years. It was built and owned by a founding family of Smithland aptly named Smith. A member of the family was county Judge Executive for several years.
Jim Smith one of the owners of Reed Crushed Stone now Vulcan Materials in Grand Rivers. One of the biggest employers of the area. The David Reed family began the business which is a rock quarry. The Reeds were big into supporting the community. Vulcan Materials bought it several years ago and own quarries across the country and in Cancun. You had no way of knowing I know but it would have been cool to dabbled into the Reed and Smith families. The Reed family goes back many years in the area.
My daddy grew up in Marion. He pastored a church in Sebree Ky. His good friends pastored churches in Smithland, Marion & Paducah. I’d love for you to drive through Sebree sometime. It’s been over 30 yrs since Iv been back home.
I really enjoyed this video. The hotel in Smithland, Gower House, is such a beautiful building, with some very famous guests in the past. Charles Dickens, wow !! It's such a shame it seems to be deteriorating. It was really interesting to have a brief look inside. I'm always drawn to lovely old buildings like that. So many beautiful buildings in Paducah, too. Hopefully the theatre will be restored to its former glory at some stage. Your dinner looked delicious !! Thanks so much for another wonderful video.😊
It is sad, isn't it? All these billionaires and multimillionaires in this country and no one is interested in preserving this country's history. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. It's a shame.
Hi, Lord. Early in this video you showed us the Gower House on the river. From your camera work, I noticed so much of the lower walls at foundation level were crumbling. A VERY bad sign. If they don't start working on that problem soon, Gower House will be lost. I know that because in my town here in North Jersey we had a 1700's house. It was beautiful, but, if you went into the basement, the mold was awful and the foundation came apart. It was neglected for so long they had to knock it down. Terrible..... Another great video. Greetings from "Jersey Charlie" and THANK YOU !
Thanks for the video. Why doesn't the State buy the Gower House and renovate it as a Historical Landmark. That's what most states have done with historic buildings. It's shocking and disgraceful to allow that building to disintegrate.
I went to college south of Paducah at Murray State University. 30 minutes away. I spent some time in Paducah. Spent a lot of time at the Land Between the Lakes. By the way, if you get back into Kentucky, the Land Between the Lakes region is incredible. There's a restaurant in Grand Rivers KY(Patti's) which is famous.
Thank You Lord Spoda, amazing start to the video, that hotel was astounding. The overall impression I got from this video was that this region is slowly decaying, inexorably into dust. But you on the other hand Lord Spoda keep getting better, better footage, better drone shots, all of which makes your already wonderful channel a bright spot for me. I have studied history for over 60 years, and demographics since 1987. I love your statistical breakdowns, oh hell I love everything you do Lord Spoda. From Southern Texas/Mexico Border towns (which you covered spectacularly) to Kentucky, one thing stands out from your vidoes. This place is one hell of a diverse, mash up of people and cultures which is unique in all the world. What is really wonderful about your coverage is the fact whatever you think about a place personally you are non-judgemental towards everyone, which is to your credit Lord Spoda. Have a Great Week My Friend!
I have spent many many many years researching the town of Smithland and especially the Gower house. The Gower house was not built in 1780. It was built in 1825. Unfortunately the historical marker is inaccurate. The only documented people who stayed at the inn was Ned buntline and Henry Clay. Lafayette stayed at another hotel in town that was much much nicer. This street and the Gower House were flooded when Clara Barton was there. If you’re interested in knowing more, I have a video on the Gower house where I go into detail on all of my research.
The shame about the Gower house is the cost of refurbishing it. Just a guess but I'd say close to 2 million. What shocked me was the fact that it was open to anybody to poke around in it, or vandalize it.
I've enjoyed your video tours. I learn something each time. The Paducah video was great. My grandmother, Grace McKinley, told of her teen years there. She said her girlfriends would bring her to the river where they all could go out on a boat/barge and dance to a live band for 5 cents! The market building you show toward the end of your walk is a very interesting history museum. Keep up the great stories!
Kentucky on the tour today! Smithland on the Ohio River - I bet it gets flooded at times. Great hotel full of history! Thanks for the inside shots - that's a rarity for you! No phone service there?Cool bridges though on the way out! ...Marion (#2) Sounds like they need a singles club there! Appears very clean - no trash or rubble lying around. Great to see the Amish with their buggies there! Low crime too - would be a real nice place to live! ...Paducah! Now there's a town I've actually heard of! @19:23 you missed the historic Barkley's Law Office where Alben W. Barkley, where a U.S. former congressman and then a U.S. vice president got his start in law, 1901. Other than that glaring omission (lol!) a nice tour on a beautiful day! 🌞☀
Oh yeah huh, good pictures of cool places, I'm from here in Brazil and I keep imagining through your works how magnificent it must be to walk through these little towns in that interior there, very good...
Ya know what? You might consider a little historical Urban Exploration as another dimension to your already interesting vids. You may or may not want to go as far as Broken Window Theory or The Proper People (youtube channels) but, it sure would be cool - You're halfway there with your historical research.
Marion KY. I find it humorous that you note the data on 'widowed women' population. What I found interesting was that I do not believe I have ever found a town that had a higher percentage of Males! Marion KY has something of note!! MEN. It appears the Marion widows have available men. LOL
Some of the Amish you showed are likely New Order Amish (vs Old Order Amish, Swartzentruber Amish, or some other ultra-conservative form) as they allow motorized tractors, other farm equipment, or other work equipment, with steel wheels (no rubber tires allowed). It looks like the guy with the Amish forklift manufactures lumber or pallets. However, there is a small chance that they were actually Old Order Mennonites.
Another interesting virtual tour. Paducah is a really cool town--I especially like the murals on the flood wall along the river. Have you considered visiting the local museums in the places you visit? There's a wealth of information on display and talking to the volunteers can give you an insight into the history of the place and they often have inside tips on points of interest.
Great video, as usual. I'm from the area but don't get back there often enough, so it was nice to see some of those old places again. You should have gone to Kirchhoff's Bakery for breakfast while in Paducah. You were so close! They have excellent breakfast quiches and pastries. Maybe next time.
Thank you for going inside the Gower House. I was so nervous for you. I kept saying “don’t do it don’t do it” then you went upstairs lol. You’re amazing!!
A few hours after dinner here, kicking back with a glass of JD and a bag of chili chips, taking in the sights while Lord drives me around, lol. I've probably said it before, but I'm very grateful to you LS for doing what you do, because this is about the only way I'll ever get to see these places. I was impressed with Paducah - lovely, clean-looking town with lots of wonderful buildings. And the murals, nice. I'm a big fan of murals (good ones, that is). Gower House was - melancholy. A shame to see a storied place like that in such a dilapidated condition. I bet the people of note who stayed there never dreamed it would look like that one day... Excellent jaunt as always mate, cheers!
Thanks Lord Spoda for another great video. I have passed through Paduca many times on interstate 24 without stopping to sightsee. From your video it looks like a nice place to visit. North western Kentucky looks beautiful. Thanks again for sharing.
Wow who would’ve thought Paducah would be so cool! I drive through it from Nashville to the 70 so much and would’ve never known. That’s why I love your videos and what first got me into watching regularly. Started with the Charleston, WV video.
And…… another great video!! So glad we got to see Nicole, too!! Smithland had that beautiful, mysterious mansion and famous hotel. I loved that. Also loved seeing the Amish area and man working the field with his horse. No one can make a better pie than the Amish. Yoder, Kansas has Amish quaint bakery complete with the horses and buggies. Your dinner looked delicious in Paducah. I love the murals by the river. Safe journey onward and love to you and Nicole! Thank you!!
I imagine all those stores are laid out exactly the same. I look forward to your videos I like the way you do your homework on these places. Don’t get no DUI’s!
Thanks for the tour, getting closer to my local travel area. Paducah is one of those river towns that found other reasons for being, its a nice little town. Stay safe and off the interstate.
The mansion next to the river was built by Jim smith. Owner of smith paving. I played in the grower house when I was growing up. I grew up right there. Crazy to see it on RU-vid lol.
Paducah looks quite nice, like it gets plenty of tourist traffic and has more money than other towns in the area. And it's less than an hour's drive from that third world 💩hole Cairo IL. Doe's Eat Place is a local chain. The original one is in rural Mississippi and is legendary.
Thank you for this video. Many years ago, we lived in Marion. I can't say how many times I drove through Smithland and shopped in Paducah....If you can, visit the Bourbon Trail and Harrodsburg in central KY.
Would it take a gigantic budget to return the Glower House to a 'rustic retreat' and promote it for people who enjoy reenactment history or conventions for similar groups?
As always, a great history lesson of rural America. I used to travel around the country for my job and would see a lot of places like this. Never looked up a lot of the towns that I went through, so it's nice that you do. And, I appreciate the random cat sightings!! Haha! 👍
One thing you omitted about Paducah was the biggest employers in the city, that's something you usually do for bigger cities, that is something that interests me.
Love Smithland KY. Too bad the hotel has not been preserved. Paducah is amazing! Great drone footage! Love the murals and river views. Looks like a great city to visit. Thank you for a great video!
Not many live in Paducah due to the taxes and regulations, the Columbia is in the process of being restored. the big house in Smithland is a private home, and Marion has a couple of nursing homes that may skew the widow/widower numbers. BTW there were a lot better places to eat than Doe's, Doe's is grossly over priced.
Joe you are great but Nic is your golden asset. i get her east coast sensibilities (I lived in Philly for 10 years).. Have you guys thought about Route 66 trip?
I like your break down, sure makes it interesting , I was Widow twice by the time I was 43, 1st time at 36, With a child , I dry my wash on 100 foot line use my dryer for 1 hour a year , Sure lots of nice buildings and clean streets, no dead beats with tent s,, oops 90 proof take it easy with that stuff , or you will be walking side ways LOL
Yay. Saw the cat. Now I'm good for the rest of the video. Thanks for including Kittie. Nice to see so little trash strewn about, as well. Thanks for showing the Amish lifestyle as well. Destroys common misconceptions many of us had, I'm sure. Good job!!
Paducah is a pretty cool town, had lots of fun there. Unfortuately it and Cape Girardeau MO are the only cities in the region that are doing well economically.
I travel vicariously through you right now. Wish I knew a few days ahead of time you were gonna be there because I would've mentioned the Brookport Bridge. It's also named after Irvin Cobb and it's an open steel deck bridge between Kentucky and Illinois. I'm no fan of heights, but I still wish to drive across that crazy bridge someday
Why don't you tells us who police's some of these small towns. A city near me is policed by the county only, because of its small size. Just a thought that can be ignored. Lol.
I have never been to kenttucky from turkey my country , where ¿ how is a place ? This I wont be able to know but l am being scared my self a little because of is where's desolate . Kenttucky 's small towns aswell forgotten like is . Thanks for sharing to this video
I fancy I could spend enjoyable time in Paducah: a river front; a well preserved commercial center; a comfortable eating establishment that serves what sure looked like delectable beef tamales and chili; and the Silent Brigade Brewery featuring high grade bourbons, consumed, as you yourself once pointed out, with no more than a splash of water or, as in the video, just ice. That was new lumber on the floor inside the Gower House and the stairway to the second level was new; but that's hardly enough. Those brownish blotches below the overhanging porch are insect pods. A building with such historic associations deserves preservation.
Yeah, it looks like some thought is being put into renovating the Gower but not much effort. It's a shame, because great people have been inside those walls.
Wow! My family was given 1000's of acres in Crittendon County after the Revolutionary war as a land grant, we still have it in the family. I haven't been there in decades, but my dad and his brothers still run the farm, lovely to see you included it.
I loved that historic hotel you found. I do wish the historical society would restore that. It would be a beautiful site. But when I think about it, there really isn't enough traffic in that town to really benefit from it. I look for more traffic in those little towns here in Kentucky because the crime and police force are so bad here in Louisville that I believe everyone wants out.
