Historic Hurricane Camp Meeting

Beautiful and historic Hurricane Camp Meeting Shed, located off S.R. 135 on the Hurricane Church Road.

This June 9-15, marks the 120th Annual Hurricane Camp Meeting. The camp was organized under the leadership of Reverend J. J. Smith in 1889. Rev. Smith was the evangelist for the first fifty years of the camp. For many years the camp was always held for two weeks during the month of August. The camp itself is beautiful area of Kentucky country side. Hickory trees as old as the camp itself are a haven for the many squirrels which scamper around the camp grounds. Let's go back with the help of the old Crittenden Presses and find out some interesting history about these annual camp meetings.

• August 17, 1899 - Mr. J. H. Lane, who ran a restaurant outside of the grounds last year at Hurricane camp meeting, and who ran it so well that he broke the hotel keeper, will run the hotel this year. He is making arrangements to dine and take care of visitors in the most satisfactory way. If you want to spend a day or a week at the meeting have no fears as to meals or board.

• August 31, 1899 - The camp meeting at Hurricane is progressing satisfactorily, large crowds are attending, all the camps are full, and some tents have been spread. The order is excellent and the interest in the services is good.

• August 9, 1904 - No Peanut Stands at Hurricane This Year. A notable feature of the meeting this year will be the absence of food stands on the ground. There will be no lemonade or cold drinks of any kind sold on the premises unless the proprietor of the hotel be permitted to sell lemonade. The chances appear to be such that those desiring this sort of a cold drink had better take their lemons and sugar along with them and be prepared to make the drink themselves. At the hotel regular meals will be served and there will also be a lunch counter where you can buy anything you want.

• September 2, 1904 - Blind Tigers attempt to run at Hurricane Camp meeting. It appears that "blind tiger" resorts were wont to spring up on camp grounds but by some means the eyes of many of the Tigers have been opened and their masters have found enlivening pursuits elsewhere and most all who were under suspicion have been apprehended. (Blind Tigers was the name giving to people selling illegal liquor. Seems they were hidden everywhere trying to sell their goods.)