New book chronicles 100 years of Herrington Lake’s history

Published 9:17 am Thursday, July 3, 2025

By Casey Roberts

casey.roberts@bluegrassnewsmedia.com

As Herrington Lake turns 100 this year, author and historian Mike Holdren is commemorating the centennial with a new book that captures the full scope of its legacy — from monumental engineering to community transformation.

Titled “Herrington Lake: Kentucky’s Marvel of Architecture, Waterpower & Nature (Centennial Edition”), the book is a detailed and vivid retelling of the creation, evolution, and cultural significance of the man-made reservoir that spans Boyle, Garrard, and Mercer counties.

“This lake was built to generate hydroelectric power in the central part of Kentucky,” Holdren said. “Kentucky Utilities built it by damming up the Dix River. At the time it was built, it was considered the largest earth-filled dam in the world.”

The lake, which remains the deepest in Kentucky at 249 feet, was completed in 1925 following the construction of the Dix Dam, an ambitious project envisioned by Lewis Butler Herrington, a lawyer and entrepreneur who would later serve as president of Kentucky Utilities. Herrington sought to bring electric power to rural areas by harnessing the steep descent of the Dix River.

Holdren’s centennial edition chronicles how the lake and dam were more than feats of engineering — they became a magnet for visitors, a catalyst for new neighborhoods, and a driving force behind Kentucky’s modern recreational culture.

“While the primary function of the lake was to provide power for the region, it quickly became a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities,” Holdren said. “It has also built up population centers around the lake, creating entire neighborhoods and communities.”

The book also details the scale of the dam, which measured 750 feet thick at its base and soared 275 feet high — the tallest east of the Rocky Mountains at the time. Constructed with 1.8 million cubic yards of material, it was heralded across the U.S. and even internationally as a marvel of its time.

Accompanying infrastructure like the Kennedy’s Mill Bridge, which stood 255 feet high and stretched nearly 800 feet across the gorge, added to the lake’s architectural allure. The region rapidly became a destination for tourists and outdoorsmen, with fishing camps, boat rentals, and vacation cabins popping up along the shoreline.

One of Herrington Lake’s lesser-known contributions to the state is its role in conservation law. In response to the high volume of anglers during the lake’s early years, Kentucky passed Senate Bill 81 in 1928, creating a statewide fishing license requirement and creel limits — policies still enforced today.

Holdren’s research, compiled from historical records, newspaper archives, and utility company ledgers, provides readers with both a narrative and visual journey. The book cover features archival images including photos of Herrington, the dam under construction, and early tourism ads promoting “Gwinn Island” as a lakeside escape.

To celebrate the book’s release and the lake’s centennial, Holdren is also holding a summer book signing tour around Herrington Lake, offering readers a chance to connect directly with the author. The first stop took place on June 25 at Stokely’s Marina in Nicholasville, with more events planned throughout the season.

“For a century, this lake has powered cities, fed families, and built communities,” Holdren said. “I wanted to tell that story the way it deserves to be told — with detail, care, and a sense of how deeply it’s woven into who we are in this part of Kentucky.”

As summer unfolds, visitors and locals alike are encouraged to revisit the lake — by boat, by dock, or through the pages of Holdren’s book — to experience the wonder of a reservoir that shaped a region and inspired generations.