Connecting Laurel and Pulaski counties at this historic "haven of rest" in the Bee Rock Recreation Area is the "Old Sublimity Bridge" (formerly the Rockcastle Bridge) that was completed in 1942 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The pedestrian-only bridge gives great views of the Rockcastle River.
In the mid-1800s, resort hotels on the secluded Rockcastle River lured travelers with advertisements of medicinal springs, fine dining, lodging and entertainment. Sublimity Springs Resort Hotel was located on the Pulaski County side of the river in what is now the Bee Rock Campground.
Built on land deeded to Dr. Christopher Columbus "C.C." Graham on February 20, 1853, the area was actually a "modern" town with one of the largest grist and saw mills on this section of river. Dr. Graham is often credited with introducing whole wheat, or Graham flour, as a health diet, which was made at Sublimity Springs.
The earliest mention of the hotel was on June 9, 1858 listing J. Campbell and C.S. Kromp as proprietors. A person could stay for 75 cents per day (or $5 per week). Following the Civil War, the hotel was operated by Montrose Graham, then by C.C. "Bum" Jackson and his brother Will Jackson (sons of Judge Levi Jackson). It was reported in September 1882 that the mills were gone and the hotel had an "unkempt look."
Several miles downstream, the Rockcastle Springs Resort Hotel was one of Kentucky's most popular, oldest and most successful resorts. Upstream, at the confluence of Cane Creek, was the Warner Hotel. Very popular in the 1900s, this two-story structure was built entirely out of chestnut wood. A trail from the Laurel County side of Bee Rock will take you to the area.
Located at the bridge are both a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Survey Marker and a U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey Benchmark.
Bee Rock Recreation Area is accessed from KY 192, which runs about mid-way between London and Somerset. For information and trail maps of the area Click Here.
NOTE: GPSr signal may bounce initially. Use clue and this should be a quick find.
Flooding forced closure of this recreation area in early spring 2019. It took until late summer 2021 for the recreation area to be reopened. In late May 2024 flood waters again reached the bridge, prompting a closure for about one month.
Debris rests on top of the bridge as flood waters lap against the bottom - all this after flood waters started to recede leaving layers of mud throughout the campground. See additional photos posted with temporarily disabled log on 3-21-19.
Permission for cache given by London District office of the DBNF.