Monthly Archive: April 2021

Bison and Grand Teton – Jackson – Wyoming

Bison and Grand Teton – Jackson – Wyoming

Bison and Grand Teton - Jackson - Wyoming

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Bison (Buffalo) graze in the grasslands beneath the Teton Range, in Grand Teton National Park. The park, established in 1929 by President Calvin Coolidge, is located in the Jackson Hole valley of Wyoming. It is connected with Yellowstone National Park to the north via the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway. The park owes much of its existence to Rockefeller, who believed so strongly that the Jackson Valley needed to be preserved, that he purchased large portions of it, before turning control over to the Federal Government for conservation.

American bison can weigh from around 400 to 1,270 kilograms (880 to 2,800 pounds). It has been estimated that more than 60 million roamed North America in the late 18th century, while only 500,000 survive today. As of 2019, the Bison herd in Grand Teton numbered approximately 600 animals, while in neighboring Yellowstone the population is around 5,000.

Historic Aetna Gas Station – Middletown – Kentucky

Historic Aetna Gas Station – Middletown – Kentucky

Historic Aetna Gas Station - Middletown - Kentucky

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This was Middletown’s (a suburb of Louisville, Kentucky) first gas station, built in the late 1920’s by I.W. Quesenberry. The gas station sold Aetna Oil Company gas, and other products, and includes a Deem gas pump. The gas station’s original life was pretty short. As the construction of U.S. 60 (Shelbyville Road) to the north in 1936, diverted away much of the traffic that would have used the station. In the intervening years, the station was used by a drying cleaning business, and a taxi cab service. In 1996 the building was donated to the city, and a federal grant was used to restore it back to its original purpose.

Shaker Village Pioneer Home Interior – Pleasant Hill, Kentucky

Shaker Village Pioneer Home Interior – Pleasant Hill, Kentucky

Shaker Village Pioneer Home Interior - Kentucky

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Pleasant Hill, Kentucky also known as Shakertown, was a Shaker (the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing) religious community from 1805 to 1910. With many well-preserved buildings, the village was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.

The Kentucky Shaker village was founded by three New England Shaker missionaries, John Meacham, Benjamin Seth Youngs, and Issachar Bates. They founded the community around the teachings of Mother Ann Lee who believed in celibacy. Kentucky’s Shaker community ultimately died out, in part because of their beliefs in celibacy, problems encountered during and after the Civil War, and a declining interest in their way of life by potential converts . But their legacy of hard work, and fine craftsmanship lives on at Pleasant Hill.

Shakertown is located near the present day cities of Danville and Harrodsburg in central Kentucky.

Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill – Website
National Park Service – History of the Shakers