Beech Tree News Network

Daviess County is the 7th largest county in Kentucky.  It was founded in 1815.  As of the 2014 census, the population was 98,275.  The county seat is Owensboro,  named after Colonel Abraham Owen, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  The county was formed from part of Ohio County on January 14, 1815. 
Located on the banks of the Ohio River, Daviess was the 58th county formed in Kentucky.  The county was named for Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who was killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe.  The county seat of Owensboro was first settled by William Smeathers in 1797 and Valentine Husk at about the same time.
Owensboro is Kentucky’s third-largest city and is recognized as Kentucky’s festival city, with over 20 annual community celebrations that attract visitors from around the country and around the world.  From barbeque to bluegrass, fine arts to fine dining, you’ll find it here.  Country singer Marty Brown is from Daviess County.
Edmonson County, Kentucky was founded on January 12, 1825 and named for Captain John “Jack” Edmonson, who was killed at the Battle of Frenchtown during the War of 1812.  The population, as of 2014, was 12,013.  The county seat is Brownsville.  Point of interest(for me, anyway): Brownsville is where my friend Kara Grey Wilson is from.  Other notable residents are: MLB pitcher Joe Blanton.  He was born in Nashville, TN but spent most of his childhood and young adult life in Edmonson County on Otter Gap Road.  Ben Helson, a member of Bluegrass singer Rhonda Vincent’s band The Rage, is a native of the Chalybeate community. Brownsville is also the county’s largest community. 
Tucked away in the hills, Elliott County is at the top of the watershed ensuring pure pristine streams that fill Grayson Lake ten miles north of Sandy Hook.  Six other state parks are within an hour's drive.

The land is characterized by small family farms scattered through rolling hills.  Agriculture is the main stay of the economy with many farmers diversifying land use.

Pristine Natural Areas are characteristic of this remote part of Kentucky where the moon and stars light up the night sky. Internationally known folk artists, heritage crafters, an intriguing history, peaceful country atmosphere, lots of open space, bluegrass and country musicians are aspects of our culture that grasp the attention of  those who visit the area.

The Laurel Gorge Cultural Heritage Center directs visitors to other places of interest. Out the backdoor of the Center, the Kentucky Native Flora Garden welcomes visitors to the Laurel Gorge Hiking Trail, a two-mile interpretive area with the first portion accessible to everyone.