Gratz, A Kentucky River Town

Gratz, A Kentucky River Town. . For over 70 years, Gratz was a busy port town and the Kentucky River was its i highway, Between 1848 and 1930, steamboats and packets plied the river, docking at Clay's Lick Landing just north of town. Steamboats carried passengers to and from Louisville and Cincinnati. Farmers shipped livestock and produce from the landing, Packets carried the mail. Showboats brought entertainment., The buisness district burned with activity. In 1883, the Planter's Hotel adevetilir Clan Accommodation for the Troviding Public; Sample Rooms Salomon Good Scable in connection: Marocked with the Best Liquors." Townsfolk and farmers could buy everything the needed in Gratz., Local firms offered groceries, perfumery fancy and toilet articles, books and stationary, lamps and chimneys, grass and garden seed, wagons and farm equipment paints and varnishes and patent medicines. Other businesses offered custom milling of farmers' grain, compounded medicines for physicians prescriptions and provide blacksmithing and coal delivery., During the steamboat era, Grat grew and prospered. However, much of town's commence depended on the Kentucky River. In the early 20th century, trucks and automobiles began replacing steamboats. By 1930, river trade had all but all bot disappeared., The construction of the Highway 22/Grate Bridge in 1931 connected Grate to the state's expanding highway system. This shift in trade and transportation drastically changed life in the community Despite a decrease in sine, Grata continues to take pride in its history as a river town.