Timeline story
Basil Hayden’s High-Rye Trail
In 1785 Maryland Catholic Basil Hayden Sr. led about twenty-five families to Pottinger’s Creek in what became Nelson County.
He distilled with a heavier rye share than many corn-heavy neighbors, donated land for Holy Cross (Kentucky’s first Catholic church), and later inspired his grandson’s Old Grand-Dad label—and today’s Basil Hayden’s small-batch line.
Cite this story
Published . Last revised .
Chicago
Snowden, Shannon. "Basil Hayden’s High-Rye Trail." Kentucky History Drive. Published September 24, 2026. Last revised September 24, 2026. https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/basil-haydens-high-rye-trail/.
MLA
Snowden, Shannon. "Basil Hayden’s High-Rye Trail." Kentucky History Drive, published 24 Sept. 2026, last revised 24 Sept. 2026, https://kyhistorydrive.com/stories/basil-haydens-high-rye-trail/.
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