Crab Orchard in Lincoln County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
A Little Bit to Eat at the Race
Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 12, 2017
1. A Little Bit to Eat at the Race Marker
The races at Sportsman’s Hill began at dawn and were followed by an elaborate breakfast which was prepared in the yard of the house and served out of doors to all the guests. A tradition that continues today at the Kentucky Derby with “The Governor’s Derby Celebration” which is also held outdoors in the capital city of Frankfort. One of the Whitley family members recalled the menu at “Sportsman’s Hill” as including:
“chicken soup with rice, baked Ohio River salmon, bacon, cabbage and beans, barbecued lamb, roast duck and applesauce, roast turkey and cranberry sauce, roast beef, broiled squirrel, leg of bear, baked opossum with sweet potatoes, roasting ears, hominy, boiled potatoes, hot cake, corn dodgers, buttermilk, plum pudding, rum sauce, pumpkin pie, log cabin pie, assorted cakes, assorted fruits, vanilla ice cream, coffee, apple jack, claret, Transylvania Bitters, peaches and honey, old bourbon whiskey, port and champagne”.
(Taken from Whitley Family History)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Food & Drink • Settlements & Settlers • Sports. In addition, it
this page online
Location. 37° 28.097′ N, 84° 32.817′ W. Marker is in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, in Lincoln County. It is on William Whitley Road, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located on Sportsman's Hill across from William Whitley House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1554 William Whitley Rd, Stanford KY 40484, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s The Knobs. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Celebration (within shouting distance of this marker); The Legacy of Sportsman’s Hill at Crab Orchard (within shouting distance of this marker); Beginning of Horse Racing in Kentucky
Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 12, 2017
2. William Whitley House
Photographed by Tom Bosse, April 12, 2017
3. Sportsman's Hill
Photographed by Tom Bosse
4. Sportsman's Hill Marker Locations
Photographed by Tom Bosse
5. William Whitley
Credits. This page was last revised on September 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on September 24, 2026, by Trudi Jacobson of Slingerlands, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 14, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
