The stunning images found in Abandoned Kentucky offer us a window into our past, showing life in the Bluegrass State as it was back then, and stirring in us a sense of wonder and curiosity about those who have gone before us and the lives they lived.
Go inside the historic Columbia Theatre in downtown Paducah and the shuttered Union Station depot in Henderson. From the Old Crow bourbon distillery along Glenn’s Creek to the Parker Tobacco Company in Maysville and a once-grand farmhouse in McLean County, these photographs showcase the rich history and untold stories of abandoned places from one corner of Kentucky to the other.
Where others may see only decay and rot in these long-forgotten locations, Sherman Cahal, Adam Paris, and Michael Maes see exquisite beauty.
Where To Buy
Abandoned Kentucky can be purchased direct from us or from your local Kentucky bookseller, at Amazon, or at Barnes & Noble today!
| Store | Street | City |
|---|---|---|
| Broadway Books | 1537 Winchester Ave. | Ashland |
| Barnes & Noble | 1680 Campbell Ln. | Bowling Green |
| Cabin Fever Gifts | 490 Main St. | Calhoun |
| Barnes & Noble | 1980 N. Dixie Hwy. | Elizabethtown |
| Rough River State Resort Park | 450 Lodge Rd. | Falls of Rough |
| St. Clair Motor Lodge | 13857 Falls of Rough Rd. | Falls of Rough |
| Barnes & Noble | 7663 Mall Rd. (Florence Square) | Florence |
| Barnes & Noble | 1932 Pavilion Way | Lexington |
| Joseph-Beth Booksellers ✽ | 161 Lexington Green Cir. | Lexington |
| Barnes & Noble | 801 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy. | Louisville |
| Barnes & Noble | 4100 Summit Plaza Dr. | Louisville |
| Carmichael’s Bookstore ✽ | 1295 Bardstown Rd. | Louisville |
| Carmichael’s Bookstore ✽ | 2720 Frankfort Ave. | Louisville |
| Hill View Farms Store | 5024 Lee Rudy Rd. | Owensboro |
| Simply Chic Home Accents | 101 W. 3rd St. | Owensboro |
| Reid’s Orchard | 4818 KY 144 | Owensboro |
| Windy Hollow Restaurants | 8260 KY 81 | Owensboro |
| Niko’s Bakery and Cafe | 601 Emory Dr. | Owensboro |
| Byron & Barclay | 121 E. 2nd St. Suite 100 | Owensboro |
Upcoming Events
Abandoned Kentucky will be featured at:
| Event | Date and Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Book Festival | October 21 | Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Lexington |
Media
- Lexington, Kentucky’s WTVQ (ABC 36) [August 16, 2023]: ‘Abandoned Kentucky’ book author Sherman Cahal explains how he conceptualized the book and brought some of the photos to life
- Louisville, Kentucky’s WLKY (CBS 32) [November 10, 2022]: ‘Abandoned Kentucky’ book preserves state history through photography
- Lexington, Kentucky’s WTVQ (ABC 36)‘s Good Afternoon Kentucky program [October 11, 2022]: Abandoned Kentucky
- Owensboro, Kentucky’s Messenger-Inquirer: Art in the Abandoned: Local photographer takes part in new book about ‘old, forgotten’ places in Kentucky (PDF)
- Owensboro, Kentucky’s Owensboro Times: Local photographer helps publish book highlighting abandoned locations in Kentucky (PDF)
Editorial Reviews
Exquisite
Abandoned Kentucky is equal parts beauty, grit, and just plain COOL. It sits precisely at the intersection of historic preservation and artistic expression. At their essence, these photographs show us the bones of our history and give us a glimpse of ourselves as we were, all while standing on their own as lasting works of art. Excellent!
Steve Shaffer, photographer and Emmy award-winning television producer
Haunting
Even though the amazing images in Abandoned Kentucky are remnants of these subjects’ best lives, their stories continue to be told with a new focus thanks to this group of talented photographers.
Darlene Mazzone, Columbia Art House Board Chair