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The Harrison County Historical Society and the Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum offer a fine selection of original local history & genealogy books, as well as reprints of historic maps and newspapers.

Indexes for four of the society's publications, including indexes for two reprints of commemorative newspapers, have been posted to this site in the interest of peeking the curiosity of  the history buffs and genealogy researchers alike, who may just be "lurking" out there and who do not yet know that they need to buy a copy of these fine works.  ;-)

The Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum, in partnership with the Harrison County Historical Society, offers a nice selection of local histories and reprints at the museum, a list of which appears below and which also can be ordered through the mails:

Chronicles of Cynthiana is a reprint of the rare 1894 edition by Lucinda Boyd., which includes family histories, the famous account of David Sheely and his ghost, and other historical sketches and scattered accounts of persons and events connected with Cynthiana and Harrison County. 262 pages. Hardcover. $20.00.

Click on About the Author to learn more about Lucinda Boyd and her interesting tales of Harrison County's past.  The original, but limited index, and texts from the book can also be viewed online.

Cromwell’s Comments by John M. Cromwell (1862-1951) is a reprint of Cromwell’s 1928-1941 Cynthiana Democrat columns on the history of Cynthiana (Harrison Co., Ky.). A fine writer and historian, Mr. Cromwell covered many topics, including fairs, horses, fires, churches, businesses, cemeteries, government, Civil War, social events, and the Licking River. Sometimes he quoted old county histories, updated the information, and then added his personal reminiscences of interesting personalities from his career as banker and mayor. William A. Penn and George D. Slade, editors. Paperback; preface; 2 maps; 21 photos; 4 illus.; annotated; index; 200 pages. (Cynthiana Democrat, 2002), $10.00 plus $3.00 shipping.

You can review the contents of Cromwell's Comments by examining the index to the book (PDF viewer required, available free from www.Adobe.com and other software vendors) and see the names and places mentioned in the articles written by the prolific columnist.  Click on About the Author to learn more about John M. Cromwell and his interesting tales of Harrison County's past.

Some examples of Cromwell's columns, which have been reprinted in the book, can be viewed at this site.  Just click here to learn a little more about Harrison County history.

Cynthiana Since 1790 by Virgil Peddicord (1986). Mr. Peddicord attempted to list the owners/businesses located on each lot from the founding of the city through the mid-1980s, including subdivisions added through 1923. 171 pages. (See separate index below). Paperback. $20.00 

Index - Cynthiana Since 1790 (William A. Penn). Mr. Peddicord did not prepare a comprehensive index for his book. This supplemental index contains about 3,500 names and a reference city street map. 30 pages. Paperback. $3.00

You may review the index to the book (PDF viewer required, available free from www.Adobe.com and other software vendors) and see the names and places referenced in Virgil Peddicord's fine history of Cynthiana's businesses, schools, and homes.

This Old House by Katherine Wilson. Now back in print, this book tells the stories of twenty-six early Harrison Co. houses and the families who have occupied them. Much material on Harrison Co. history. Exterior and interior b & w photos of each house. Originally printed 1956-1957. 70 pages., new index, paperback. $15.00 (An index is available for earlier editions, which had no index).

This Old House profiles the following historic homes:

Dave Rees House

Amende House

Mathias Lair House – The Cedars

George Lail House

Stony Castle

George Smiser House

Gavin Morrison House

Margaret Goudy House

Gray House

Kimbrough-McKee House

Duffy House

Howk House

Agnes McDowell House

Charles McDowell House

Griffith House

John Lair House – Boscobel

John Williams House

Boswell House

H. Tod Smiser House

Joe McDaniel House – Kirtwood

Miller Lail House

William Miner House

Joseph Shawhan House

Owen House

Homer Whitaker House

Orie Lebus House

You may review the table of contents and index to the book (PDF viewer required, available free from www.Adobe.com and other software vendors) and see the names and places referenced in Katherine Wilson's fine history of Harrison County's old and historic homes.

Click on About the Author to learn more about Katherine Wilson and her interesting life.

Writings of Colonel William M. Moore, (1837-1927) compiled by Andrew B. “Andy” Peak (2002). Includes 1921-1922 articles he wrote for the Cynthiana Democrat about his life. He was born in Harrison County, but his family soon moved to Lewis County, Missouri; in 1849 he moved back to Harrison County, and he wrote much about life in Cynthiana in the early 1850s; he joined the CSA army in 1861 and fought in battles at Lexington, Missouri; Pea Ridge, Arkansas; and Shiloh, Tennessee. The book includes several family obituaries and two letters that contain Moore genealogy. 10 family photographs; index; paperback, 71 pages. $10.00 plus $3.00 shipping. Limited supply.

June 1896 Cynthiana Democrat reprint. This was a special edition with biographical sketches and photographs of prominent men and women; many photographs of buildings; city/county government, church and school information is included. 24 pages. Paperback, 12”x18”.  $5.00

How to Order

Please include a handling and shipping fee of $4.00 for first book (unless otherwise noted above) and $2.50 for each additional book.  You will be notified before any order is mailed if any special shipping fees apply. No shipping fee is charged for Index - Cynthiana Since 1790, if ordered with the book.

Make checks or money orders payable to “Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum.”  No credit cards. Prices and fees are subject to change.

Please send your order to the Harrison County Historical Society, P.O. Box 411, Cynthiana, Kentucky 41031.

(Please check the current newsletter of the Harrison County Historical Society for the latest availability and prices.  The information here is current as of June, 2009.))

Railroads in Harrison County, Kentucky

Railroads in Harrison County, Kentucky - This book by George D. Slade traces the building of the Covington & Lexington Railroad through the county; the barbecue celebrating the arrival of the tracks to Cynthiana; L&N’s development and the county depots and bridges; Southern Railroad in the county; the role of the county’s railroad in the Civil War, WWI and WWII.; “railroad people” Mr. Slade knew growing up in the 1920s and ‘30s; rail crossings safety issues; many illustrations including photos and floor plans of Harrison County depots; photos of bridges; historic photos of railroad scenes, section crews, excursion ads, and vintage maps. Published by the Harrison County Historical Society (Cynthiana, Ky., 2005). 82 pages, introduction, endnotes.

TO ORDER BY MAIL:  Third printing published by the Historic Midway Museum Store, 124 E. Railroad St., Midway, Ky. 40347; $18.90 includes shipping & handling; call for shipping on multiple copies.  E-mail pennwma@aol.com or call 859-846-4214.

You may review the index to the book (PDF viewer required, available free from www.Adobe.com and other software vendors) and see the names and places referenced in George Slade interesting history of the railroad's origins and presence in Harrison County.

Click on About the Author to learn more about George D. Slade and his interesting tales of Harrison County's past.

To learn more about railroading in Harrison County visit Railroads@HarrisonCountyKy.US.