Our Story

The Full Story

Located in historic Bracken County at the intersection of Hillsdale Road and Brooksville–Germantown Road (Route 10), The Pasture is a treasured farmstead rooted in generations of Kentucky history. Originally part of the nearly 1,000-acre Elliott Farm in the late 1700s, the land was gradually divided over time into the smaller farms that shape the region today.

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In 1942, Porter Morgan purchased 55 acres from the Danahe family for $9,500, securing the farm with a $500 deposit. At the time, the farmhouse had no plumbing, electricity, or central heat—only two fireplaces fueled by wood and coal. Porter began farming immediately, milking cows, raising tobacco, and caring for livestock to provide for his family.

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Following World War II, farming became increasingly difficult. In 1947, Porter opened Morgan’s Restaurant in Maysville to supplement farm income, serving the industrial district near R.J. Reynolds, Browning’s, and the cotton mill. He operated the restaurant until 1988, when a car accident while traveling to work ultimately took his life.

Despite working off the farm, Porter continued to invest deeply in the land. In 1959, he contracted Ben Rice Sr. to construct the Twin Lakes, completed in 1960 and left untouched since. The lakes served as a popular pay-to-fish destination until 1965, offering all-day fishing for $1.25 with no limit. Porter also enhanced the farm’s facilities by tiling the milk house, installing a full bathroom and shower for cleanup after evening milking, and adding a stainless-steel silo built by the Chuck Marshall family.

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The Morgan family proudly operated the farm for decades, showing cattle across the eastern United States for more than 20 years. After Porter’s passing in 1988, the family continued milking and raising tobacco. The 1990s brought significant loss with the passing of Pete Morgan in 1993, Porter’s wife in 1995, and Philip in 1996. Doug Morgan continued operating the farm until 1998, when he sold the dairy cows but remained dedicated to preserving the homeplace. With the help of Greg and Jeff Hinson, the barns and fencing were kept in pristine condition—brilliant white with green trim and roofs, a signature look that remains today.

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The farm’s gently rolling pastures, grove of trees, historic barns, and Twin Lakes define its timeless character. Cows still graze the fields—answering to names like Peaches, Roxy, and Loretta—while guests are invited to explore the old milk parlor (last used in 1988), the horse and livestock barn, and the lakes where fountains flow and fish still play.

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Porter Morgan believed the farm was meant to be shared. From building the lakes and shelter houses to planning a community pool in the early 1970s, his vision was always centered on welcoming others. Today, that vision lives on through The Pasture Wedding and Event Venue, where history, beauty, and community come together on land built to last.