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November: Caldwell County

Caldwell County was established in 1809 and named in honor of General John Caldwell, a prominent legislator and businessman who had served in the Indian wars. He was the first western Kentuckian to be sworn in to the Kentucky State Senate and was the state's second lieutenant governor. When Caldwell County was created, it was one of only two Kentucky counties that claimed land west of the Tennessee River. After the Jackson Purchase in 1818, the newly created town of Princeton became the staging area for the settlement of the Jackson Purchase region.

Since its founding, the economy of Caldwell County was based upon agriculture with dark-fired tobacco being the principal crop. Western Kentucky was the most strategically located of all the regions for the export of tobacco through the port of New Orleans and in 1860 Caldwell County ranked sixth among Kentucky counties in the production of tobacco. Today, the County is home to the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture Research and Education Center, an on-farm/laboratory research operation. This center is headquarters for more than 50 UK faculty and staff researching agriculture.

Caldwell County is also home to numerous historic sites including the Adsmore Museum, the Amoss House Museum, the Caldwell County Railroad Museum, the Cherokee Trail of Tears and a downtown commercial district listed on the National Register of Historic Districts. Caldwell County also hosts Newsom's Old Mill Store, home of the nationally renowned Col. Newsom's Aged Kentucky Country Ham. In addition, a brand new, state-of-the-art hospital opened in Princeton last month.

October: Butler County

Butler County was founded on January 18, 1810 and was named for General Richard Butler, a Revolutionary War soldier. With the introduction of a navigation system for the Green and Barren Rivers in the 1830’s, a new mode of transportation in the area began and brought with it many new people to the area including merchants, miners, loggers, river workers, engineers and carpenters.

The Civil War slowed development of the county. Following the war, former soldiers from both sides joined together to raise funds for a Civil War Monument that was dedicated in May 1907. The monument is believed to be one of the only two existing memorials which honors both Confederate and Union soldiers.

Butler County attracts many tourists who come to visit the historic sites of the area, steamboat era museum, Green River and many other attractions. The county also hosts the Green River Catfish Festival every year. Anglers from around the country travel to Butler County to try and catch one of the numerous tagged catfish released into the river for cash prizes. The top prize is $50,000.

September: Ballard County

Located in the far western part of Kentucky at the meeting of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, Ballard County is part of the Jackson Purchase region. The County was established on February 15, 1842 and named in honor of Captain Bland Ballard, who fought in the War of 1812 and served in the Kentucky General Assembly.

Agriculture is an essential part of the economy in Ballard County where crops such as tobacco, soybeans, corn and wheat are produced. The Ballard and Boatwright Wildlife Management Areas attract hunters and fishermen throughout the county to a superior wildlife habitat. The areas contain wintering and nesting bald eagles, deer, wild turkey, furbearers, dove, and water-fowl, along with numerous non-game species. Ballard County is also home to the Barlow House Museum and Wickliffe Mounds. The County also hosts the Wickliffe Harvest Festival, Bandana Days, the Ballard County fair and a number of other festivals and events every year.