electric generating plant. 2017 and 2020, replaced by a natural gas-powered plant that went into Of all the songs he’s known for, it’s the one about an old Muhlenberg County town fans in this county hold the closest to their heart. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: Most people have their own version of Paradise too, and that is okay. Can I visit any abandoned places in Kentucky? I'll be halfway to Heaven with Paradise waitin' Just five miles away from wherever I am And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise lay Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away Writer/s: John Prine Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc. From the map Highway and Transportation, Muhlenberg County, by the Kentucky is also home to a few historic battlefields with a slightly spooky atmosphere. From 1856 to The song references the Peabody Coal Company, and a town called Paradise in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, where the Tennessee Valley Authority operated the Paradise Fossil Plant, a coal-fired electric generating station. That was said to be the third failure for Paradise. C F C And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County, G7 C down by the Green River where Paradise … and a third in 1970. Under the moon, it became a romantic⦠paradise. This is one of many local legends that you might encounter throughout your travels in Kentucky. Paradise is in the Cities category for Muhlenberg County in the state of Kentucky. Muhlenberg county And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise lay Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away Well, sometimes we'd travel right down the Green River To the abandoned old prison down by Airdrie Hill Ghost stories are abundant in The Bluegrass State, especially around spooky spots like the aforementioned Waverly Hills Sanatorium. Muhlenberg County Parks and Recreation. His song, âParadiseâ has been redone by the likes of John Denver, Dwight Yoakam, Tom T Hall, The Country Gentlemen and Lynn Anderson. It was settled early in the nineteenth century and was known as Stum's Landing (for Leonard Stum who owned a store and ferry there). Enter your e-mail address for things to do, restaurants to try and much more! During those years, the area was often described as a lush, grassy paradise, with crystal clean water, good fishing and thriving plants and animals. Friends of Muhlenberg County Cemeteries is ready to take action to save these historic cemeteries throughout the county! Indigenous tribes battled, and settlers battled both the local tribes (like the Shawnee and Wyandot) plus the British during the American Revolutionary War. Located on old county road within 2 miles of Tennessee Valley Authority Paradise plant stacks. Well, I'm sorry, my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away. John Denver- Paradise from Denver's 1972 album Rocky Mountain High. I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side. We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. The song is also about what happened to the area around the Green River in Kentucky because of strip mining. If you have a sense of adventure, our state will leave you in awe. Muhlenberg County consists of 175 square miles of mineral rich land in Western Kentucky. Laying along the riverbanks, both kids and adults would stare off into the sky, imagining figures in the clouds. Paradise was an eastern Landing (for Leonard Stum who owned a store and ferry there). There are old and even ancient ruins in Kentucky that are hiding in plain sight, and most are easily accessible. At the AllenDale Train Tunnel, local legend maintains that a man took his life by hanging a noose from a hook above the tunnel. Anyone who is interested in visiting Paradise can print the free topographic map and street map using the link above. The Paradise post office opened in 1852 and closed in 1967. All stones in this cemetery are down and broken. The site of Paradise is now occupied by a One can’t discuss Kentucky urban legends without wondering about local hauntings. "His song entitled paradise gave us our claim to fame. Concern arose for the health of the remaining residents of Paradise. “Paradise” is a town in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, where Tennessee Valley Authority operates a coal-fired plant. What was documented is that in 1852 a post office was established under the town name of Paradise. They buried the other half next to his parents in Chicago. At some point, the town was said to become Monteray, though no … It is bounded on three sides by three different rivers. One can’t help but wonder about the events that took place at these landmarks, both before and after they were abandoned. For more than 50 years, the Paradise Fossil Plant has kept the lights on for nearly ten million customers across seven southeastern states, including Kentucky and Tennessee. The old coal-powered generators were retired in "And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the green river where paradise lay?" By 1967 TVA owned all the land in the old town and the Add Favorite. Paradise Park Powderly, KY. Paradise Park is a unique and wonderful park located just off the bypass and next to the Merle Travis Performing Arts Center. Obviously having ash created during the factory process and pouring from the air like warm, toxic snow was not a positive influence for ones respiratory system. Paradise is displayed on the Paradise USGS quad topo map. Greenville. When those rare ghost town stories do pop up, the tales that are told tend to be woven around abandoned coal towns such as Blandville or Dryfork. Paradise got creepy, and Prine attributed the demise of the community to the Peabody Company and strip mining in the area. PARADISE (Muhlenberg County) (G) G - C G / G C G C7 G / G - C G / G C G D7 G When I was a child, my family would travel Down to western Kentucky where my parents were born And there's a backwoods old town that's often remembered So many times that my memories are worn And daddy, won't you take be back to Muhlenberg County Not just because it has a sad story, as they all have that. "We had a … Here in Kentucky, we will always have our own piece of Paradise, as it has been immortalized over the decades in both story and song. Sadly, only a small cemetery still stands atop the hill, not far from the plant that was the beginning of the end. Paradise for reasons that obscure. The act didnât go unnoticed, and the coal fired plants were deemed very controversial. The other two were authentic alright, but that is a long story. John Prine wrote about Muhlenberg Counties being full of life, love and light until the end of the 1950s. And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where paradise lay? Paradise (Muhlenberg County) John Prine Live on the Johnny Cash Show 1980 with a young Marty Stuart and Vince Gill on harmonies, mandolin, and guitar. The county has a total land area of 1230 km and 12 km of water with the two primary geographic features being the Green River and Lake Malone. Paradise was incorporated in 1856. It was settled early in the nineteenth century and was known as Stum's At some point, the town was said to become Monteray, though no real concrete evidence has been documented to that effect. With your support we can repair and maintain cemeteries that have been neglected throughout the years, such as the McDougall Cemetery (pictured on … Memorials: 109 added (74% photographed) Share. Are there any other abandoned places in Kentucky that you know of? Most likely, to prevent an onslaught of environmental and residential poisoning lawsuits, the Tennessee Valley Authority stepped forward. Today, it asserts, his ghostly form can still be seen floating at that same spot. The stone of William Smith was placed upright against a tree. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky. Paradise was an eastern Muhlenberg county town on the Green River about 13 miles northeast of Greenville. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! However, there is a sort of eerie, otherworldly beauty in this gorgeous region, as well. also been known as Monterey (for the town in Mexico), but was renamed Paradise chords John Prine (1971) Capo II or open D G A7 C C F C When I was a child my family would travel, G7 C down to Western Kentucky where my parents were born F C And there's a backwards old town that's often remembered, G7 C so many times that my memories are worn. 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And daddy won’t you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise … "Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away" When I die let my ashes float down the Green River Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam I'll be halfway to Heaven with paradise waitin' Tennessee Valley Authority I am somewhat a cliche'. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) voted last year to retire the remaining coal-fired unit at its Paradise Fossil Plant in Muhlenberg County. In accordance with his wishes as expressed in this song, his family spread half of his ashes in Kentucky's Green River. All these celebrity singers praised the little town of Paradise in Muhlenberg County, and the tragedy that took it away. Unfortunately, the quality of life for residents met with a rapid decline during that time. The Bluegrass State is full of beauty, particularly natural beauty. However, the town did remain intact for a while after the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Mining Company drained the surrounding area of coal. Are there haunted battlefields in Kentucky? I cannot say for sure if Paradise was the paradise John Prine sang of, but he sure did make it sound convincing. The Paradise Fossil Plants were built and started raining ash and debris down upon the remaining citizens of Paradise. Then, of course, came the American Civil War. It may have Thank you! It stayed open until March of 1967. Ghost towns in Kentucky are something you donât often hear much talk about. Want to keep exploring abandoned places in Kentucky? What remains of Paradise today that qualifies it as a creepy ghost town in Kentucky? TVA representatives convinced the remaining townsfolk to vacate and paid them miniscule amounts to abandon their once happy lives in Paradise. operation in 2017. The first two TVA generators, powered by coal, went into operation in 1963 On a hillside near the banks of the Green River about a mile west of what once was the town of Paradise, in Muhlenberg County, lie the crumbling remains of an iron foundry built in 1855. Paradise. Daddy, won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise lay Well, I'm sorry my son, but you're too late in asking Mister Peabody's coal train has hauled it away When I was a boy my family would travel Down to western Kentucky where my parents were born There's a backwards old town that's often remembered John Prine visited Muhlenberg last July for a concert in Paradise, today they say their last farewells. Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Since Kentucky is known for its beauty, Iâd imagine he sang the truth. Muhlenberg County and the Green River will forever be linked in the minds of many by the John Prine song called "Paradise" about a now defunct coal mining town in Muhlenberg County. Love Kentucky? These specks in history have either evolved into museums, Inns or, sadly, ceased to be remembered, except for making an appearance in the occasional local legend here and there. Are there any urban legends in Kentucky?Â. And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County "Down by the Green River" "Where Paradise lay" "Well I'm sorry my son, But you're too late in askin'" "Mr Peabody's coal train has hauled it away" "Well sometimes we'd travel right down the Green River" Instead, because all that remains is the occasional crumbled memorial, chunks of concrete disintegrated to gravel, the ancient cemetery and a name⦠Paradise. Environmentalists in particular took issue with their methods. Paradise in Muhlenberg County was known as Stoms Landing in the early 1800s, primarily because a gent named Leonard Stom started a ferry there, transporting people along the river. There’s simply so much to do! Paradise in Muhlenberg County was known as Stoms Landing in the early 1800s, primarily because a gent named Leonard Stom started a ferry there, transporting people along the river. Take a virtual visit to Six Gun City! The TVA board of directors voted last year to retire the unit at the Paradise Fossil Plant in Muhlenberg County. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Digital Tradition Mirror Paradise or Muhlenberg County (This score available as ABC, SongWright, PostScript, PNG, or PMW, or a MIDI file) Pennywhistle notation and Dulcimer tab for this song is also available . town on the Green River about 13 miles northeast of Among these crumbling wood or brick and mortar memories, one ghost town in Kentucky stands out. (Road closed.) 1859 it operated about a mile away in The real tragedy here is the loss of such a special place in the Bluegrass State, and how it met its end. And daddy won't you take me back to Muhlenberg County Down by the Green River where Paradise lay John Prine died from COVID-19 on April 7, 2020. Airdrie. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. The infamously bloody site of the Battle of Perryville is said to be haunted, and it has been featured on travel documentaries in recent years due to the amount of reported paranormal activity. When I die let my ashes float down the Green River Let my soul roll on up to the Rochester dam I'll be halfway to Heaven with paradise waitin' When it comes to abandoned places in Kentucky, images of spooky and long-forgotten places instantly are conjured up. 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