Kentucky, of course, has its share of old-style kitsch and pizzazz.  With natural wonders such as Mammoth Cave and the Smoky Mountains, it can only stand to reason that some enterprising entrepreneurial spirit would come up with some gimmick to part the willing tourist from his hard earned dollar.  So sit back, and enjoy a little blast from the past from the early frontier traversed by the likes of Daniel Boone and Davey Crockett.  The following photos and informational snippets are provided courtesy of Mike in Chalybeate (pronounced klee-bit) between Bowling Green and Cave City.    Thanks for sharing Mike!

     I don't know if the people of Ohio are descended from primarily Dutch stock, but some early entrepreneur thought this gimmick might work!  It's the remains of the Dutch Mill Village on U.S. 31 E near Griderville.  Per Mike, this large center building was once surrounded by several small 'mini-mills'...each being a tourist cabin.   He wonders if this set-up wasn't meant to mimic the nearby Wigwam Village #2.  Sounds reasonable to me.  Once this large structure housed a restaurant with a nearby Esso station.  The Esso and the 'mini-mills' are, unfortunately, long since gone.

Mike doesn't live too far from Cave City, so it's only natural that many of his subjects hail from the area.  Of course, one of the finest examples of good old-fashioned American kitsch is Wigwam Village #2!   Since 1937, Frank Redford's creation has  been delighting generations of hollering kids imploring their reluctant father's to spend the night in a wigwam.  Now on the state and national historic registers, hopefully more generations of hollering kids will be able to experience the wigwams much as their grandparent's did.

     Also hailing from Cave City, if the Wigwams were full, a sleepy tourist could sleep under the stars.  Literally!  Mike tells us that the Star Motel hails from the early 50's (53 or 54) and is a typical motor court of the era: an 'L' shaped building where you parked right in front of your door.  Obviously, the neon could use some repair...

     Perhaps the next day, before hitting the caves, a growling stomach steered the adventurous family into a Jerry's Restaurant.  Per Mike, Jerry's was once a very popular regional chain with several units in Kentucky and Tennessee.  Bought out by Denny's, a vintage Jerry's is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.

     Another bona-fide survivor is the Crescent Bowling Alley on old U.S. 31.  Mike's dad used to bowl leagues there back in the 50's, so we know it's genuine!  Hope they keep the sign alive!