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    • Home
    • Store
      • HL Trading Post
      • Donations
      • Custom Design
      • Custom Coordinates
    • About Us
      • About Herrington Lake KY
      • About This Site
    • Local Info
      • Lake & Area Conditions
      • Lakeshore Resources
      • Shop Local
    • On the Lake
      • Herrington Lake Marinas
      • Herrington Boat Rentals
      • Herrington Lake Camping
      • Lake Vacation Rentals
      • Fishing Tournaments
    • The Lakehouse Tie-Up
      • Lakehouse Tie-Up
      • Community Spotlight
      • Herrington Lake Events
      • RecipeBox
      • Newsletter
    • Area History
      • Herrington Lake History
      • Gwinn Island
    • Media
      • Gallery
      • Social Media
    • Contact Us

info@herringtonlakeky.com

  • Home
  • Store
    • HL Trading Post
    • Donations
    • Custom Design
    • Custom Coordinates
  • About Us
    • About Herrington Lake KY
    • About This Site
  • Local Info
    • Lake & Area Conditions
    • Lakeshore Resources
    • Shop Local
  • On the Lake
    • Herrington Lake Marinas
    • Herrington Boat Rentals
    • Herrington Lake Camping
    • Lake Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing Tournaments
  • The Lakehouse Tie-Up
    • Lakehouse Tie-Up
    • Community Spotlight
    • Herrington Lake Events
    • RecipeBox
    • Newsletter
  • Area History
    • Herrington Lake History
    • Gwinn Island
  • Media
    • Gallery
    • Social Media
  • Contact Us

About The Project Mission

The collection, documentation, and archive of events, people, and places in history is as old as our civilization, itself. Old paintings scrawled on the rock walls of caves across the world help paint a picture of the early life of mankind, right? I believe it goes without saying that to know the past, is to understand the future. We must appreciate the past and work diligently to protect the memories we have. In any culture, the history and progress of that culture can be measured by not just the “facts on the ground”, but by the testimonies and art of its communities. It allows for a deeper understanding. 


Here, now, we have the memory of a place on Herrington Lake that seemed to stand out above the rest. To know Herrington Lake was to know Gwinn Island. There are two common threads that seem to help bind all the histories of Herrington Lake (in my point of view), and that was the creation of the Dix Dam - the impoundment of the river, creating the lake - and Gwinn Island. 


These two separate heartbeats of our lake’s folklore rise above the others. 

Now, in 2022, we have only the “facts on the ground” and oral histories passed on from descendants to create a meaningful picture of the creation of Herrington Lake. That’s an enjoyable process of discovery but can present difficulties. But, at this moment, we still have people with us that remember Gwinn Island and speak of it with love and nostalgia that is not common. So, it’s time to take note and act to collect as much of this as we can, not just for them - so that they have a place to come share and look at these memories, but also for those of us who enjoy the act of preservation and hope that this provides something meaningful to the lake community, as a whole. 


We will be documenting public and personal records, oral histories, and photographs of Gwinn Island. All are welcome to the project. We hope to connect old friends, hear stories of life from the 1940s through to today, and unbox photographs and memories to share with everyone. I have little doubt we will find and hear some beautiful stories about “lake life” on Herrington - it’s going to be fun! 


This will be a long project, with no timelines or expectations. If you know of anyone who would be interested or would like to contribute their history, please share this with them. The more we have, the clearer the picture, and an entire community will be grateful.  Contact us anytime. 

Join Our Herrington Lake History Group

Keeping the history of this area alive will be one of our priority missions on this site. There are only so many facts we can collect from the public records - the oral history of our local residents, passed from generation-to-generation - is crucial. Please consider joining our Facebook group, and being a part of the discussion!

Go to the Group

Subscribe for updates

Gwinn Island Blog Posts

Included in the blog posts will be more formal announcements, news and information that we post on @herringtonlakeky about Gwinn Island. 

Gwinn Island Interviews

Lynn Tyler Interview Pt 1

(29 Min).

Lynn grew up on Gwinn Island in the 1950 & 60s, after moving there with her family. Both her mother and father worked for Wellington “Wacky” Cooper and his wife, Lucille Cooper, the owners and proprietors. Lynn has a rich history with the Coopers, and has a very unique perspective of her time there. 

Lynn Tyler Interview Pt 2

(20 Min) 

Lynn grew up on Gwinn Island in the 1950 & 60s, after moving there with her family. Both her mother and father worked for Wellington “Wacky” Cooper and his wife, Lucille Cooper, the owners and proprietors. Lynn has a rich history with the Coopers, and has a very unique perspective of her time there. 

Gwinn Island Photo Gallery - Much more to come

Comments on Gwinn Island

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