James
or William?
Who is the Namesake
for Harrods Creek?
Capt. Jim Willis
Entering Harrods Creek from the River,
waving to the diners at Captains Quarters Restaurant
and seeing folks enjoying an ice cream treat at the
Harrods Creek Boat Harbor did you ever ask yourself
- was it William or James Harrod?
The town "Harrod" was planned by a group
of developers named the Transylvania Company, and lots
were sold, but the town as a municipal entity was never
completed due to competition and long distance from
the growing Portland area of the Falls of the Ohio.
The area now known as "Harrods Creek" was
known as "Seminary Land" for some time. Development
began when the Louisville-Westport Pike (later renamed
River Road) was built through it. Harrod's Tavern was
an early stopping point for boats headed downstream,
and the building lives on, heavily rebuilt, as the
Captain's Quarters Riverside Grill.
Harrods Creek is named for either James Harrod, founder
modern Harrodsburg, or Captain William Harrod, an early
Louisvillian who served in 1779 at the Fort of the
Falls of the Ohio. The debate continues - but, the
historical jury leans to James.
James Harrod, born
in 1746, was a pioneer, soldier, and hunter who helped
explore and settle the area west of the Allegheny
Mountains. He was possibly underage when he served
in the French and Indian War, and later participated
in the Dunmore War. He also rose to the rank of colonel
in the local militia. James Harrod led many expeditions
into the regions that now form Kentucky and Illinois.
He and a band of almost forty men founded the first
permanent settlement in Kentucky on June 16, 1774.
The settlement was named Harrod's Town in his honor.
In 1792, Harrod disappeared while on
a hunting trip in the wilderness. While it is possible
that he was killed by Indians or it could be that he
became ill and died of natural causes.
Capt. Jim Willis
Paradigm Yacht Sales
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Jim
Willis has over 35 years of inland waterway boating
experience having owned and operated a variety
of cruisers and houseboats.
Jim brings 30+ years
of corporate management and customer service
expertise to Paradigm Yacht Sales, along with
his passion for life on the water and boating.
He and his wife Mary Pat have lived aboard and
served as an inland waterway delivery captain,
bringing a unique understanding of the needs
and issues of recreational boaters.
Having owned and operated
boats up to 70', Jim enjoys sharing his experiences
and guidance to the boating community. His credentials
include the USCG Captains License (Master 100
GRT), a BS in Economics from Indiana University
and an MBA from the University of Indianapolis.
Jim
and his family live along the banks of the
Ohio River and he works primarily from the Paradigm
Louisville office.
jim@paradigmyachts.com |
This article
was contributed to this site by Paradigm Yacht
Sales, Louisville's largest brokerage.
Whether you're
looking to buy or sell a boat, you can reach
them at:
Paradigm Yacht
Sales
P.O. Box 1043
US Highway 42
Prospect, KY 40059
877-468-7594
Toll Free
502-292-0444
Fax: 502-292-0442
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