My hometown of Irvine, Kentucky is the perfect representation of a small town. Everyone knows you not by your name but by who your parents or grandparents are, the nearest Walmart is forty minutes away, and the only thing bigger than Friday night football is the annual Mountain Mushroom Festival. For the people who don't understand the appeal of a small town or have just never experienced the simplicity that one offers, here is a short tour of the most iconic places in my community.

Estill County Courthouse

In October 1864 during the Civil War, confederate soldiers set fire to the courthouse, resulting in its collapse in 1865. Then in 1939, the Works Progress Movement (WPA) began to build a new courthouse to increase employment during the Great Depression. Finished in 1940, the Estill County Courthouse is still standing today and is located in the center of town.

This bridge was built over the Kentucky River in 1940. In the 1967 film The Flim-Flam Man, at the end of the car chase they go around a grocery store and across this bridge.

Churches

As Estill is located in the middle of the bible belt, there are numerous churches in the county and it wouldn't be an accurate depiction of it without showing one. Pictured above is the Irvine Free Methodist Church where my family and I have attended for my entire life.

Mack Theatre

First named the Estill Theatre, the Mack was built sometime around 1942. My parents both went during their childhood, with my mother remembering going to see both Annie and the Jungle Book at the local theater. While it has been closed since the late-80's, there is a project hoping to restore the theater to its former glory.

Wig Wam

Made in 1957, the Wig Wam is a classic example of a 50-60ish iconic eatery. Starting out as a carhop, this restaurant is one of the trademark places of Estill County. I myself have a lot to thank for the diner as it's where my grandparents met.

Veteran Memorial Park (aka the Choo Choo Park)

The park can be traced back to as early as 1931. Located near railroad tracks, it used to be named the "Choo Choo Park," but after a renovation and the construction of a shrine to Estill County's veterans, the name was changed to Veteran's Memorial Park. My great-grandfather mowed the park every week up for around 30 years until the day before he passed away.

Railroads

Estill county is a classic coal town, with railroad tracks cutting through the county just as the Kentucky River does. Mainly used by CSX for coal transportation, the railroad is an iconic Estill Country feature.

High School

In Estill County, there is only one educational building per group of grades, meaning one early education, lower elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school. While seemingly insignificant, this high school has seen it's share of news. Last year it was subjected to intense testing as it was discovered that illegal radioactive waste from fracking was being dumped at the land field across the street. In more positive news, a student named Kevin Richardson used to grace these halls before leaving to join the iconic boy band Backstreet Boys.

Burger Barn / Twin

In this town, food is important so there is no choice but to mention two other iconic eateries in Estill County. The Burger Barn was made in 1973 and offers classic choices such as cheeseburgers and chicken strips. Not only is Burger Barn a county favorite, but many people around the area will make the journey to the small town only to experience the joy that is the Burger Barn.

The Twin is a different experience altogether. It specializes in simplicity, with only a few selections of savory foods to choose from, and perfection when dealing with ice cream. I might be biased when I say that the Twin is my favorite place to get ice cream in town as it was where my parents met.

The Scenery

At the edge of the bluegrass region and tip of the Appalachian Mountains, Estill's description statement, where the bluegrass kisses the mountains, perfectly describes the scenery in Estill County. Dominated by hills and forests, the scenery in Estill County showcases the best eastern Kentucky has to offer.