Mary McCooley

Oak Grove, KY Area Guide

Less than four hours from Atlanta, St. Louis, Memphis and Nashville, Oak Grove is in the perfect position to be the small town we’d all love to live in, but still close enough to the big cities to enjoy a great night on the town or a weekend away. With a population of around 9,000, Oak Grove is one of the fastest growing cities in Kentucky. Conveniently tucked in outside the gates of Fort Campbell and the 101 st Airborne Division, Oak Grove is proud of the heritage of the Screaming Eagles! One of the things you’ll notice is how we love the great mix of long time residents and new friends, whether you’ve just arrived from another post or are settling down to start raising that family.

The hometown of Fort Campbell, residents here welcome tourists and new residents the same way, like you’re one of the family! Whether you come to visit the world famous Charlie’s Steakhouse or the Don F. Pratt Memorial Museum, you’ll find living is easy in Oak Grove!

To learn more, visit: http://www.oakgroveky.org/ )

History

Founded in 1828 as a small farming community, it was named for the grove of oak trees that stood near the city’s first post office, located inside Postmaster Samuel Gordon’s store.

By 1844, the Buckberry Special a combination freight/passenger train running from Clarksville, Tennessee to Princeton, Kentucky made Oak Grove a railroad town. In 1941, the U.S. War Department named Oak Grove a defense establishment, and the following year, the city gained Fort Campbell, home of the world famous 101 st Airborne Division.

Incorporated in 1974, the sixth class city rose swiftly to a fifth class city two years later and by 2001 it had made fourth class city. Growing in conjunction with the needs of both the civilian and the military residents, Oak Grove continues its forward motion, growing with the new century.

Nearby Attractions & Activities

War Memorial Walking Trail

The park pays homage to the veterans from all U.S. wars and conflicts by displaying a series of markers along the wooded trail. Special monuments are on site for Vietnam War Veterans and a heart felt poem for soldiers. This earth friendly meandering trail offers a scenic respite to both nature and exercise enthusiasts.

To learn more, visit: http://www.kentuckytourism.com/Listing/2441/

Viceroy Performing Arts Center

The Viceroy creates a venue for family oriented concerts and events, where people can enjoy outdoor entertainment in a pleasant setting. In addition the park features the Veterans Picnic Pavilion and a playground for kids of all ages.

To learn more, visit:http://visitoakgroveky.com/QCMS/index.asp?Page=Viceroy Performing Arts Center

Jefferson Davis Monument

The 351 foot concrete obelisk was built in honor of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy during the Civil War and located at the site of Davis’s birth. An elevator will take you to an observation room for a panoramic view of the grounds and there’s a gift shop, playground and picnic area to enjoy.

For more information, visit: http://visitoakgroveky.com/QCMS/index.asp?Page=Jefferson Davis Monument

Parks and Recreation

For more information on the parks and recreation in Oak Grove, visit: http://visitoakgroveky.com/index.html

Events Calendar

From the 3 rd Annual Oak Grove Tourism event to the Annual Butterfly Festival, Oak Grove has something for everyone to enjoy!

For a complete listing of events in Oak Grove, please visit:

http://www.oakgroveky.org/site/newpages/events.htm

To learn more about Oak Grove, visit: http://www.oakgroveky.org/ )