Welcome to Hopkinsville, Kentucky! If you’re new here, you may not be familiar with some of the fun things to do, how to navigate things like schools, or who to call about that pothole.
This is the Christian County Now “New to Hopkinsville Guide,” full of information and links to resources, and we’ll keep this updated with new information. We hope it helps and let us know if you have more questions! Christian County Now is a budding local news site, hyper focused on what is going in our community, and only in our community; you can reach us by email at news@christiancountynow.com.
What makes Hopkinsville unique
Hopkinsville Tourism has named the city as the Batter Capital of the World due to the areas impressive wheat production and milling companies located in the city. Hopkinsville is also known for several oddities and historical occurrences, such as the Kelly Little Green Men alien invasion in the 1950s.
We are the birthplace of renowned psychic Edgar Cayce, and prolific poet and writer bell hooks. Downtown Hopkinsville was also stuck in the middle of the Tobacco Wars in the early 1900’s, with Night Riders burning down barns in the city.
There is also a significant stop on the Trail of Tears in the city, with two Native American chiefs buried at the commemorative park. There is a large Pow Wow held here every year where tribes from across the country gather with the community.
- Batter Capital of the World: How Hopkinsville got tied to pancakes, biscuits, cookies: Hopkinsville was rebranded as the Batter Capital of the World. Merchandise, signs, and even statues can be found in the city proudly displaying the slogan. But what does it mean?
- A look at local tobacco production: Local growers in Hopkinsville and Christian County are gearing up for fall with a very involved, fragrant curing process with a deep history.
- Trail of Tears Commemorative Park honors Native American history in Hopkinsville: The Trail of Tears Commemorative Park in Hopkinsville is an open green space with a playground, disk golf course, picnic tables, walking trail, and small outdoor arena.
- Amish, Mennonite communities thrive in Christian County, from business to volunteering
Christian County’s dense Amish and Mennonite population enriches the area and provides unique services that benefits the city. - Psychic Edgar Cayce: Known as “The Sleeping Prophet” psychic Edgar Cayce is one of Hopkinsville’s most famous residents.
- bell hooks: As the sister of the nationally recognized writer and poet, Motley continues to dedicate her time passing along the legacy and works of Hopkinsville native bell hooks.
Other cities in Christian County, things to know about the county
The rural area of Christian County, Kentucky contains a total of five cities, with Hopkinsville centrally located. There are approximately 78,000 people spread throughout the 700 square miles of the county.
Preceding over the entire county is Judge Executive Jerry Gilliam, who sits on the Christian County Fiscal Court. Each city has their own city council, with Mayor J.R. Knight serving in Hopkinsville.
- Hopkinsville: Population 30,000
- Oak Grove: Population 5,000
- Crofton: Population 1,000
- Lafayette: Population 100
- Pembroke: 1,000
Historically, Christian County has been an agricultural community and is one of the leading agricultural regions in the state. Over 1,000 farms are located in the county, covering around 300,000 acres with soybeans, corn, wheat, and tobacco.
As part of Christian County’s agricultural landscape, there is also a large, thriving Amish and Mennonite population, with a settlement near Crofton and Pembroke.
This area is part of the Pennyroyal region which is named after a branched annual plant in the mint family that Pioneer settlers found growing in the area. Native Americans used it in tea to help cure illnesses in colonial times. Since then, the word “Pennyroyal” has been used interchangeably with “Pennyrile”
- The City of Hopkinsville Municipal Center is centrally located downtown, where city council meetings are held twice a month, and are also live streamed on their YouTube page.
- The Christian County Clerk’s Office in downtown Hopkinsville provides services like voter registration, marriage licenses, vehicle registration, passports, occupational licenses, and property tax records.
| MORE: Amish, Mennonite communities thrive in Christian County, from business to volunteering
Christian County Public Schools and private options
Christian County Public Schools has seven public elementary schools, two middle schools, two high schools, and an early learning center for preschool. CCPS is currently led by Superintendent Chris Bentzel.
Construction is currently being done to consolidate the two high schools into one brand new Christian County High School. Although both of the existing high schools serve different areas of Christian County, the two campuses are currently located less than four miles apart from each other. Over the past few decades, the HHS Tigers and the CCHS Colonels have operated as athletic rivals, with a long history of competition through football, basketball, and other sports. Once the schools combine, over 2,000 students will walk through the doors of CCHS, transforming into unified Tigers.
- Closer look at key features, layout of new 350,000 square foot Christian County High School | VIDEO
- Hundreds of alumni gather, bands perform for historic final CCHS vs HHS game | PHOTOS
Outside of the public school system, there are the following private school options.
Things to do in Hopkinsville
Whether you prefer exploring parks and natural areas, or engaging in fun indoor activities, there is something for everyone in Hopkinsville. During the summer, Bluegrass Splash Family Aquatic Center opens their doors for a season of fun at the water park.
- Top fishing spots
- Best burgers
- Coffee spots
- Jeffers Bend
- Fun things to do with kids
- Fall break activities
- Watch the leaves change
There are several natural spaces and parks to explore throughout the county as well, with the massive Gordon Park in Crofton, the War Memorial Park in Oak Grove, and Debow Recreation Center in Hopkinsville which also has a skate park nearby. Jeffers Bend Environmental Center has miles of walking trails and events throughout the year.
Historic Downtown Hopkinsville
Downtown is home to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library, the Pennyroyal Area Museum, several stores and restaurants. Centrally located is Founders Square where public events, the farmers market, and community gatherings happen.
In downtown Hopkinsville, you can catch a play at the Historic Alhambra Theater and shop around at several locally owned shops including a bookstore, antique shop, hobby shop, brewery, health emporium, and consignment store.
Stores and restaurants that are participating in the Downtown Entertainment District are able to serve alcoholic beverages that can leave the premises and enter public areas and other participating businesses. This allows people to shop, sip, and stroll through downtown.
The Hopkinsville Greenway and Rail Trail is centrally located in downtown Hopkinsville and stretches down miles of paved paths for bikers, runners, and walkers. This path connects to a bustling dog park and new city park developing on Pardue Lane.
Fort Campbell military base
Fort Campbell, the military installation that straddles the Tennessee/Kentucky state line is part of Christian County and is home to the 101st Airborne Division (Airborne) “Screaming Eagles,” along with several other tenant units, including the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) “Night Stalkers.” In all, Fort Campbell hosts about 30,100 active-duty soldiers and over 8,500 civilian employees and contractors, according to 2025 data.
The 101st Airborne Division is made up of roughly 25,000 soldiers divided primarily into three Brigade Combat Teams of roughly 3,500 soldiers each and a helicopter-based aviation brigade:
- 1st Brigade Combat Team, “Bastogne”
- 2nd Brigade Combat Team, “Strike”
- 3rd Brigade Combat Team, “Rakkasans”
- 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, “Wings of Destiny”
- 101st Artillery, “Guns of Glory”
- 101st Headquarters and Headquarter Battalion, “Gladiators”
- 101st Sustainment Brigade, “Lifeliners”
While about 66% of soldiers and their families live off post in nearby Oak Grove, Hopkinsville, and in Clarksville, Tennessee, the remaining 33% live on post: about 4,500 in family housing, and about 9,800 in barracks. The installation has its own hospital, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital (BACH), commissary and PX, and its own DoDEA-operated Fort Campbell School System, with four elementary schools, a middle school and Fort Campbell High School. Fort Campbell also has its own full-size airport capable of landing the largest aircraft.
Historical places in Hopkinsville
- Peace Park: At only one acre, this small park right in the middle of historic downtown Hopkinsville is full of history.
- Trail of Tears Commemorative Park: Trail of Tears Commemorative Park is a very well know, historically significant stop in the city, housing the graves of two Native American chiefs with a scenic view.
- Grace Episcopal Church: The church’s dramatic Gothic Revival style and historical significance in downtown Hopkinsville previously landed it on the National Register of Historic Places, with the building still dominating the landscape decades later despite tornado damage and modernization.
- Round Table Literary Park: People who have imagined themselves as knights or royalty will feel right at home in this secluded, unique park located at the edge of Hopkinsville Community College.
- The Knight House: A couple from Middle Tennessee has connected their passion for history with their paranormal investigative skills while rehabbing a 200-year-old home on East Seventh Street in Hopkinsville.
- Virginia Park: Tucked in the corner of East Ninth and South Campbell Street is the large green space of Virginia Park
- The Trice Castle: A retired musician and a kindergarten teacher are living in a story book fantasy as they continue to restore their historical home on South Main Street in Hopkinsville.
- Historic Oak Grove 1890’s schoolhouse: Did you know Oak Grove was home to an 1890’s one room schoolhouse?
Recurring local events in Hopkinsville
The Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library and Hopkinsville Parks and Recreation frequently host free events throughout the year for the community and families. This includes the library’s regular in-house programming for all ages, along with several book clubs, summer reading, and community events.
Each year, parks and recreation hosts holiday events like downtown trick or treating, the Christmas parade, and the salute to summer, with several other fun events in between.
- Alien Invasion Day: Celebrating the 70th anniversary of the Kelly Little Green Men encounter, the community beamed down to Hopkinsville for Alien Invasion Day.
- Art After Dark: The first Art After Dark event brought people to downtown Hopkinsville to dine, create, shop, and sip.
- Trail of Tears Pow Wow: The Pow Wow was held on Sept. 7-8, and performers from across the country gathered to compete.
- Take Kids Fishing Day at Jeffers Bend: Families from across the city woke up bright and early to lure in a big catch at Jeffers Bend Environmental Center.
- Summer Salute: This festival brings large crowds to downtown Hopkinsville, filling the streets with live music, food, and family activities. The two-day event drew visitors from across the region.
- Summer Salute Festival: An all-day, two-day affair with food trucks, family activities, and a free concert at the Justice Center.
- Veterans Day Parade: Looming clouds and rain drizzles did not deter crowds from gathering in downtown Hopkinsville for the Veterans Day parade on Nov. 9.
- Hopkinsville’s Christmas Parade: The HES/energynet Night Christmas Parade in Hopkinsville persisted with dozens of floats and cars making their way downtown on Dec. 14.