The interesting thing about traveling Kentucky is the discovery of places and things I didn’t know about or hadn’t seen.

One such place is the William Whitley House just outside Stanford in Lincoln County.

It’s not in the mainstream of tourist attractions, but it is operated by Kentucky State Parks and open to visitors on a seasonal basis. Tis the season for those of you who like to find the nontraditional historic venues that make you glad you visited.

The house that William Whitley built in 1794 is quite significant in that it was the first brick house west of the Allegheny Mountains. Considered upper-middle class by Kentucky standards, the house and its location played a pivotal role in the early development of Kentucky. Whitley and his wife, Esther, often opened their home to the likes of Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark and the house was even referred to as the “Guardian of the Wilderness Road.”

The five-room house with an open garret (attic) is available for tours from mid-April through mid-December, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

The house had a secret passage for escape and survival during Indian raids, and the original property included a racetrack for horses. I found it interesting that Whitley’s track not only was built of clay instead of turf, but raced the horses counterclockwise in opposition to the British tradition of clockwise.

The location was believed to be one of the first horse tracks in the nation. Last year the Department of Parks purchased the 50 acres next to the house, recognizing its importance to Kentucky and the nation.

“There’s still quite a bit of archeological work that has to take place,” said Joseph McClure, interim park manager at the site. “We want to eradicate the non-native grasses and reintroduce what was once on the grounds.”

I think it would be beneficial to visitors for the state to re-create the footprint of the horse track in order to fully comprehend its presence on the grounds.

Funding for the purchase came from the Kentucky Heritage Land Conservation Fund.

Don’t expect lots of hoopla and sizzle on a visit here. But do expect lots of history in learning about a pioneer and frontiersman who came to Kentucky looking for something better.

Whitley left his mark on the state other than his brick house and horse track.

Kentucky’s first governor, Isaac Shelby, commissioned him an officer in the Kentucky Militia in 1792. He fought in the Indian wars, was elected to the General Assembly, and in 1813, at the age of 61, volunteered for the Kentucky Mounted Infantry as part of the War of Thames where he led a charge against Tecumseh’s forces. Both Whitley and Tecumseh were killed, and Whitley today is buried near the battle area in Chatham, Ontario, Candada.

Although Whitley lived in Lincoln County, in 1818, Whitley County and its county seat, Williamsburg, were named in his honor. So was Whitley City, and Whitley County in Indiana.

McClure says Whitley’s house was socially significant for many years in its day.

“Although not nationally significant, there were Indian treaties signed in the house,” McClure said.

“Church services and several court sessions as well as dances were here. The Whitleys liked to entertain.”

McClure added that one of the Whitleys’ distant granddaughters will travel from Texas to be married in the house in late June.

In September, the historic site will host an 18th century interpretive re-enactment depicting the basic life skills of the period. Also there will be saddle and tack displays and a mounted militia demonstration.

For more information, call (606) 355-2881.

Get up, get out and get going!

— Gary West’s column runs monthly in the Daily News. He can be reached by e-mailing west1488@insightbb.com.