Munfordville

Nestled on the banks of the Green River, Munfordville (population 1,581) is the county seat of Hart County. Originally known as “Big Buffalo Crossing,” it was named for Richard Jones Munford, who donated a portion of his peach orchard as the site for the town in 1801.

Green River borders the southern end of Munfordville and is accessible through Thelma Stovall Park, which offers a boat ramp, fishing, picnic areas, a canoe livery, walking and hiking trails, and primitive camping facilities.

In 1810, the Munford Inn began welcoming all travelers. The inn is one of 13 stops on The Old Munfordville Walking tour. Union and Confederate forces occupied Munfordville for the five-year duration of the Civil War as each side sought control of the vital railroad bridge.

Three separate battles raged here for control of the bridge, including the Battle and Siege of Munfordville, September 14-17, 1862, perhaps the moment of the Confederacy’s greatest potential in the West.

Visitors can pick up a copy of the Munfordville Stories Cell Tour at the Welcome Center & Gift Shop in the restored turn-of-the century Houk Drugstore building in downtown Munfordville or two doors down at the Hart County Historical Museum in the historic Chapline Building, that houses exhibits, artifacts and one of the area’s most comprehensive collections of archives and genealogical materials.

Just across the Green River is the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve. Two miles of interpretive trails begin at the historic Anthony Woodson House, which features an orientation area and museum exhibits.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Preserve is a stop on the Civil War Discovery Trail, the John Hunt Morgan In Kentucky Heritage Trail, and the US 31W-31E Heritage Corridor.