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Fire destroys Rabbit Hash General Store; in operation since 1831, on National Register of Historic Places


Firetrucks back on scene early afternoon -- smoldering fire

Firetrucks back on scene early afternoon — smoldering fire

Rabbit Hash General Store:  Terrie Markesbery's Gofundme site is the legitimate place to donate to help restore the General Store.

Rabbit Hash General Store: Terrie Markesbery’s Gofundme site is the legitimate place to donate to help restore the General Store.

NKyTribune staff report

One of the region’s most recognizable landmarks is no more.

The historic Rabbit Hash General Store in Boone County caught fire Saturday night and is reportedly a total loss.

The building has been a working general store since 1831.

It is a central gathering spot in the small riverside community of about 300 residents, hosting concerts and other community events.

Sad day for Rabbit Hash. (Photo by Warner Allen)

Sad day for Rabbit Hash. (Photo by Warner Allen)

A Valentine’s Day concert featuring Cadillac Johnson and Catfish Evans was scheduled for this afternoon.

Rabbit Hash, in unincorporated Boone County, is known for its down home feel and its canine mayors, including Lucy Lou, a border collie who recently announced her presidential bid.

It is a frequent stop for visitors to the region and has been the subject of a variety of national news stories.

The Rabbit Hash General Store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

Several local fire departments responded to the fire, which was reported shortly after 9 p.m. The blaze spread quickly and the iconic facade was brought down by firefighters shortly before midnight.

The cause of the blaze is undetermined at this time.

A “gofundme” campaign has been set up for those who wish to contribute to the rebuilding of the iconic store. But, beware of scams already afoot. The official site is one set up by Terrie Markesbery — link is https://www.gofundme.com/fewqjkh8

In her post on GoFundMe, Terrie Markesbery writes:

In its approximately 185 years in existence, the Rabbit Hash General Store in Boone County withstood all manner of threats to its existence – multiple floods, landslides and the Great Depression, to name a few. Through it all, the store and its recognizable front facade remained an unmistakable landmark in Northern Kentucky culture.

The fire was reported about 9:15 p.m. and about 11:30 p.m. firefighters pulled down the picturesque facade of the store. Later, the front sign of the store was salvaged from the wreckage and stored in a nearby barn. The fire that began inside the iconic general store late Saturday night was too much for the old, mostly-wooden structure, however. It burned throughout a nearly five-hour firefight in near-sub-zero temperatures and was destroyed.

The store had been in continual operation since 1831, according to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society – a span in which 38 U.S. presidents took office.

The store at 10021 Lower River Road was on the National Register of Historic Places.

As the building burned late Saturday, residents gathered nearby, some crying and one group singing “Amazing Grace.”

Rabbit Hash General StoreBefore the fire.

Salvaged -- the historic sign.

Salvaged — the historic sign.

Also salvaged. (Photos by Warner Allen)

Also salvaged. (Photos by Warner Allen)

Late this morning at Rabbit Hash: Dealing with the loss. (Photo by Warner Allen)

Late this morning at Rabbit Hash: Dealing with the loss. (Photo by Warner Allen)

Firefighters return to the scene Sunday afternoon

Firefighters return to the scene Sunday afternoon


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One Comment

  1. Joe S says:

    I think the Rabbit Hash Historical Society is a 501C charity and a better place for tax deductable donations.

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