Kentucky Isn’t the Only Kentucky on Earth…There Are Five More

Back in fourth grade and then later again in seventh grade, my respective teachers taught units on Kentucky, mainly its history and geography.

Interestingly, through 16 years of education, those were the only two times I learned about our Commonwealth. I suppose I could have signed up for one in college, but then, as now, the only Kentucky history course offered at Western Kentucky University was and is a 400-level course. Since I wasn't a history major, that was out the window.

But I've done a pretty good job of educating myself about the Bluegrass State outside the classroom. What I DIDN'T discover in my casual research was the fact that we are not living in the only "Kentucky" on the planet. (And honestly, I'm not sure if quotation marks belong around Kentucky there, but it felt like they did.)

Kentucky, Michigan

If you search this tiny unincorporated town, you'd better include that comma or else you'll get a lot of stories about the most recent UK/Michigan basketball game. Kentucky MI is a part of Munising Township and is located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a location on my bucket list. And if you find yourself in Kentucky MI, carve out time for the spectacular Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Kentucky, Illinois

Well, it seems that, according to THIS map, Kentucky IL is an intersection. I guess that's better than nothing. As for points of interest? Well, Terre Haute IN isn't that far away, and if you're a basketball fan, Indiana State University's Sycamores--ISU is in Terre Haute--are really good this year.

Kentucky, Arkansas

Once again, we're dealing with an unincorporated community, but hey, at least it's within very comfortable driving distance between the state's capital and largest city, Little Rock, and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the south, Hot Springs National Park.

Kentucky, Karas, Namibia

Surprise, surprise, surprise. If you're like me, it was a bit of an eye-opener learning that two of the five OTHER Kentuckys were not in this country. They're not even in this hemisphere. Located in the Karas region of Namibia, a nation in southwest Africa, Kentucky seems to be in the middle of a harsh and unwelcoming desert. I think I'll make other plans.

Kentucky, New South Wales, Australia

G'day, mate. Welcome to Kentucky in AUSTRALIA. By the way, there's also a New Mexico in Australia, AND a New England. In fact, Australia's Kentucky is IN New England. Have some fun with your friends. Anyway, Kentucky NSW is so remote, the top place to visit, according to Trip Advisor, is a pretty cool-looking general store.

There you go. We are NOT the only Kentuckians on the planet, although I'm not sure a couple of those OTHER Kentuckys even HAVE residents. Therefore, no Kentuckians.

But what you now have is a way to have a little fun with your friends before showing them this story. Have them guess where the other five Kentuckys are located. I bet they only get three right.