Steps behind the Woodford County Courthouse is a water source that is deemed "The Source". It runs all the way out to McCracken Pike to our world-class horse farms and distillers to make us the Home of Champions and is the unique natural resource that makes Kentucky Bourbon so special.

The source is also where the former parent brand to Woodford began so they claim that is being their starting point to the history behind the brand.

Stop by to see the history written, take a photo and enjoy the mural painted on the wall while enjoy the walk to the park or the view of native grass and flowers growing along the hillside.

History on The Source and distilling:

1797- Elijah Pepper built a distillery below today's Big Spring Park

1809- Oscar Neville Pepper was born

1812- A cabin was built 7 miles down the road on McCracken Pike to start distilling, still along Glenns Creek and down from "The Source" which is today known as Woodford Reserve's property.

1831- Elijah dies and Oscar buys his family out of the shares of the business to become the largest land owner in Woodford County.

1835- Oscar hired Scottish chemist James Crow.

1838- Builds the Old Oscar Pepper Distillery (now at Woodford Reserve)

1872- James sues his mom for ownership of the distillery and wins.

1874- James partners with E. H. Taylor and renovates the distillery.

1877- James was forced to sell to Colonel E. H. Taylor.

1878- Distillery was sold to George T. Stagg then to Labrot and Graham.

More about Woodford Reserve that claims its start at The Source:

• 1920-Prohibition

• 1933- Distillery reopened for business.

• 1941- Brown Forman purchased the Distillery.

• 1993- After second purchase, Brown Forman began to restore the property. First master distiller was Lincoln Henderson.

• 1996- Brown Forman changed the name of the distillery to Woodford Reserve.

• 2004- Chris Morris became master distiller.

• 2023- Elizabeth McCall became the third master distiller.

Old Fashioned Cocktail Class at Amsden Bourbon Bar

Delve into the storied history of the Old Fashioned cocktail at the charming Amsden Bourbon Bar. This hands-on class will teach you the art of crafting the perfect Old Fashioned, from selecting the right bourbon to mastering the balance of flavors. Learn about the cocktail’s origins and its evolution over the years, all while enjoying your own expertly made drink.

Rose Hill Seminary

Swift Hunter vs Will Davis

July 27th 1893

Fuming Fireeaters Fight

Will Davis, a law student, and Swift Hunter, a young druggist, met on the field of honor near Versailles yesterday morning. Nothing of the romantic was wanting to make the encounter a fitting procedure. The cause of the war was an insult offered in a ballroom and prompted by jealousy. The weapons were pistols at 18 paces. The place was a wooded pasture the time just before daylight and blood was drawn. The affront was given at a ball at Rose Hill Seminary, a fashionable boarding school near Versailles. Davis and Hunter were both in love with the same girl who Davis escorted to the ball late in the evening when the gayety was at its height. Hunter and his rival met in crossing the wax floor. A few short and angry words passed between them. Hunter and his passion almost involuntarily made a remark reflecting upon the young lady in the case and was immediately called to time by Mr. Davis. Hunter was infuriated and refused to apologize. As quick as a flash, Davis drew his white glove which was still fragrant with the delicious perfume, the cause of the trouble used that evening and was about to throw it in his opponent’s face when Hunter cried, “Stop! I consider your glove as thrown and will return it to you wrapped around a bullet.” Davis chose Burchard McGinn and James S. House as his seconds and Hunter chose Paul McCaw. Just as the son was raising the party met in a bluegrass pasture on the farm of Col. Gus Macey, the well-known turfman. Eighteen paces was the distance decided on, Davis won the toss and chose the side facing the sun. Two shots were fired. At the first fire, neither was wounded but after the second discharge, Hunter was found to have received a flesh wound in the leg. The firing then ceased. Later that day, the two met and concluded with nature’s weapons. 

It is believed to be located in the McCauley building on Main Street- Shelton Tavern/ Devine Hotel 

John Upshaw Waring

March 7th, 1845

The murder of this individual, so long the terror of the neighboring counties of Kentucky, occurred about two weeks ago. He was shot while passing along the street, by some person from the upper window of a tavern in Versailles, Woodford county, Ky. A rifle was found beside the window, but the person who had fired it had disappeared. The ball entered his forehead just above his eye, passed through the root of this tongue and perforated his lungs. He lived about 30 hours after receiving the wound, and his last hours are thus described by the Lexington Gazette:

We have heard it stated that “no coat of mail” was found upon his body after death.--He was in his life and death a most unfortunate man. From some cause or other, his mind appeared to have taken a wrong bent many years ago, which led him into a long series of acts of unjustifiable character, and involved him in innumerable feuds, and almost continual combat. We became acquainted with him in 1826-27, while he was residing in Union county in this State, and have been tolerably familiar with his history, both before and since that period. Since the conclusion of the border wars between England and Scotland, few men have enacted a similar part in civilized life. At times he was upon terms of defiance with the whole community in which he lived; his life has been repeatedly attempted; he was always armed to the teeth when he left his house, which was itself almost an arsenal. When killed he had a brace of six barrelled revolving pistols, and a large bowie-knife upon his person, and was momentarily expecting an attack from some one of his numerous foes.

He was a lawyer, and most of his difficulties originated from the mode which he practiced his profession. By buying up old and doubtful claims he involved himself in endless litigation; and the bitterness generally attendant upon such cases, was deepened and widened by the manner in which he conducted his suits. No apprehension of personal danger ever deferred him from purchasing those claims, or prosecuting them to the uttermost afterwards. On the contrary, the prospect of danger seemed rather an additional inducement; and he was at all times ready to defend himself by tongue, pen or pistol.

Had his mode of warfare been more bold and open, he would have avoided much of the obloquy which his course drew down upon him. But so exceedingly circumspect had he been in always placing himself in an apparently justifiable position, legally, that many doubted his personal courage. It is fair, however, to say that his life had been secretly aimed at by his enemies, and that he displayed unyielding firmness from the time of receiving his death wound up to the hour of his death.

The Woodford Hotel is a completely remolded hotel where every suite is bourbon themed. The Woodford Hotel is a building that has been many things over the years but has rich history with dramatic headlines of true news stories dating back to the 1800s.

Today's The Woodford Hotel:

Discover a harmonious blend of bourbon heritage and equestrian elegance at The Woodford Hotel, nestled in the heart of Versailles, Kentucky. Located at 112 North Main Street, our hotel is perfectly positioned near iconic bourbon distilleries such as Woodford Reserve, Wild Turkey, Four Roses Buffalo Trace, Castle and Key allowing you to embark on an unforgettable bourbon trail right from our doorstep.