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U.S. 41: Hopkinsville
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Travelers have two choices when leaving Hopkinsville, Kentucky, via U.S. 41. You can drive the newer version, Alternate 41, four dull lanes straight south to 41's junction with Interstate 24 near the Tennessee state line and on in to Clarksville, Tennessee. Or you can take the older version, two lanes winding southeast from Hopkinsville through the southern Kentucky countryside.
OK, that's not much of a choice, is it?
Before leaving Hopkinsville on old U.S. 41, stop by the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park, just west of 41's junction with the Pennyrile Parkway.
Land in the park was used an an encampment during the forced removal of thousands of Cherokee from southeastern states to "Indian Territory" in what is now Oklahoma during 1838-39. Two Cherokee chiefs -- Fly Smith and Whitepath -- who died during the removal are buried here.
Memorial to an Ugly Time in Our History
The park is part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail that stretches for 2,200 miles from the East Coast to Oklahoma, commemorating the hardships the Native Americans endured on their forced march to Oklahoma.
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| Cherokee chiefs: Statues of Fly Smith and Whitepath stand near where the two are buried at the Trail of Tears Commemorative Park on U.S. 41 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. |
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| Stately sanctuary: The Trenton Presbyterian Church greets travelers as they drive through Trenton, Kentucky. |
Leaving the historical park, head southeast on U.S. 41. You'll be traveling on four lanes for several miles through what is now an industrial on the edge of Hopkinsville.
Soon, however, you'll break free of the city's hold and can get down to some serious two-lane enjoyment.
Small towns and Kentucky country
About 10 miles from Hopkinsville, you'll encounter Pembroke, Kentucky, founded in 1836. The lone structure of note as you drive through is the 1939 schoolhouse that still stands on the south side of the highway.
A couple miles below Pembroke is a railroad overpass. Slow down here for the sharp turns, but also so you can enjoy the view above the tracks.
Minutes after the overpass you'll roll into Trenton, Kentucky, founded in 1817.
Marvel at the old, stately homes that line U.S. 41 as you drive through the town, as well as the ancient and ornate Trenton Presbyterian church on the north side of the highway.
Continue another five miles through the fields of southern Kentucky and you'll encounter U.S. 41's junction with U.S. 79, just outside Guthrie, Kentucky, "The Crossroads of the South" and home to Robert Penn Warren.
Continue south on U.S. 41 ... coming soon!
Turn north onto U.S. 79 ... coming soon!
Turn south onto U.S. 79 ... coming soon!
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