One of the most colorful and romantic periods of the county's
history is found in that of Paroquet Springs. Originally it was called Parakeet
Lick and was used to manufacture salt. However, the water contained impurities
and therefore made a poor quality salt. Later the "beneficial"
properties of the water were discovered and put to use in the form of bathing
or even some hardy souls probably drank it. Paroquets' use as a "watering
place" or "spa" began around 1840. John McDowell had spent
a large portion of his time selling the water as medicinal water. Prior
to his death the springwas sold to Humphery Simmons. During Simmons ownership,
improvements were made enabling visitors to get to the springs availing
themselves of their so called medicinal benefits. In 1838 John D. Colmisnil
bought the property from Simmons. Under Colmisnil's direction the spring
was developed into one of the finest spas of the south. People from as far
away as New Orleans tame to Bullitt County and to Paroquet Springs to spend
their vacations. At its peak the grounds covered about 20 acres and were
well kept. Cabins and a hotel could accomodate about 800 guests.
Paroquet was located in the area of Shepherdsville near present day Centerview
Drive. It is roughly divided by the Kentucky Turnpike.
Out of Paroquet's past has originated the "legend of the
lone grave." It seems that in 1846 a Miss Alice Buford from Mississippi
came to Paroquet Springs to spend the summer. While here she met Chester
Scott from Virginia, there also to spend the summer. The two fell in love.
When they parted at the end of the season they planned to be married the
next year. In the mean time Scott went to the aid of the U.S. in its conflict
with Mexico and was killed in the battle at Vera Cruz in 1847. Miss Buford
was so grieved that her pining eventually led her to her death. Her last
request was to be buried beneath the trees at Paroquet Springs where she
had spent some of her happiest days.
Today if you were to go to the area formerly occupied by the springs you
would find a solitary grave surrounded by a heavy iron fence. When you see
this lone grave you can't help but think about the above story.
Through research another version accounting for the lone grave has come
to the surface. Mary Lucy Pocahontas Bibb resided in the city of Frankfort,
Kentucky. She spent a summer at Paroquet where she met a young man and fell
in love. At the end of the season they were returning to Frankfort when
they had a quarrel and parted forever. Miss Bibb then married a Mr. Lynch.
She must have still loved her former fiance from Frankfort because she declined
and died within a year. Before she died she extracted a promise from her
sister to take her back to Paroquet Springs and bury her in the midst of
where she had spent the happiest time of her life.
