Frankfort in Franklin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Ruth Hanly Booe

1891-1973

Photographed By Dave Knoch, June 7, 2015

1. Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker [front]

Inscription. In 1919, friends Ruth Hanly and Rebecca Gooch left teaching to found Rebecca-Ruth Candy. Operating out of the barroom of the Frankfort Hotel, closed due to Prohibition, the two were successful entrepreneurs before women gained the right to vote. In 1929, Gooch sold her half of the business to the widow Booe.

Booe is credited as the inventor of the "Bourbon Ball", a world-famous confection, and the "Mint Kentucky Colonel". Her business savvy saw the company through a factory fire, the Great Depression, and sugar rationing during World War II. Booe remained active in the business until 1964.

Erected 2005 by Ruth Booe Foundation, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2192.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Women. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 38° 11.685′ N, 84° 52.405′ W. Marker is in Frankfort, Kentucky, in Franklin County. Marker is on East 2nd Street east of Capital Avenue (Kentucky Route 420), on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 116 E 2nd St, Frankfort KY 40601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

distance of this marker. Franklin County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Capital Bridge (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); War Mothers Memorial Bridge (about 400 feet away); a different marker also named Capital Bridge (about 400 feet away); Site of Winnie A. Scott Hospital (about 500 feet away); Annual Award of Merit (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Capital Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Capital Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frankfort.

Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker [reverse] image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave Knoch, June 7, 2015

2. Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker [reverse]

Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker and Candy Factory image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Dave Knoch, June 7, 2015

3. Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker and Candy Factory

Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Doda, March 20, 2022

4. Ruth Hanly Booe 1891-1973 Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2015, by Dave Knoch of Scott County, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 402 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 8, 2015, by Dave Knoch of Scott County, Kentucky. 4. submitted on March 24, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.