Whenever Margaret and I visit central Kentucky, we’re struck by how much the land reminds us of Ireland. Especially when we drive the narrow back roads, the rolling hills and low stone border walls transport us right back to Eire.
Small wonder: those low stone walls were first built in the early 1800s by Irish immigrants. They are simply stacked Kentucky limestone; no mortar holds them together. Unfortunately, the Irish taught slaves how to build these dry stone walls, and it’s estimated that 90% of the walls that still stand were slave-built.
The other common fence in Kentucky is the four-board wood fence. Most of the ones we saw around Shaker Village were white.
This is horse country, and those fences are often meant to keep the horses in. Notice that this fence is black.
Kentucky farmers are learning that black is more cost effective: the paint is less expensive and needs to be reapplied less often. So expect to see more and more of these fences painted black over time.
But for now, at Shaker Village the majority of wood fencing is still painted white. With the abundant dry stone walls, the grounds ooze that classic, charming central-Kentucky look.
The fences keep in more than horses, of course.
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Last updated on 15 February 2020 by Jim Grey
I recall a trip through Kentucky horse country in the very early 70s and the fences were still all white. Later in the decade the dark ones were starting to get popular. I never knew if it was paint or if it was some other kind of finish. Now I know.
Hm, maybe this black-fence thing is moving more slowly than I thought!
Lovely images, Jim — they so beautifully capture the bucolic “blue highways” i remember from a family vacation eons ago. How sad to consider the origin of those stone fences, though. And how surprising also to hear that the iconic white fences are being painted black. I always thought they were white to be more visible to the horses. Go figure.
Thank you! I forget now where I read about painting the fences black. Fortunately 90% of the ones we did see were still white!
How interesting about the black fencing – I haven’t seen any yet on my travels. Such nice pictures, as usual :)
The white fences are beautiful, so here’s hoping the transition takes a long time, or that I’m wrong altogether about it!
Very beautiful photos Jim, So bucolic!
Thanks Jon!
I was a little farther east of this back in the spring (Corbin, Berea, Lexington) and the green hills with white fences looks very similar. I don’t remember any stone walls though, wondering if I just didn’t notice them, or if it’s a more localized thing.
They’re said to be a central Kentucky thing, so perhaps you were too far east.
Wow those fences are great! I didn’t know there were stone fences like this in Kentucky, definitely want do some more exploring there.
There’s a lot for a preservationist to see in Kentucky!