The Historic Kentucky Town Governed by Dog Mayors

Rabbit Hash, Kentucky

In a tiny Kentucky town where the general store dates back to 1831, the mayor has four legs and answers to “Boone.” And he’s just the latest in a long line of furry politicians that have served this historic river settlement.

Here’s how this odd tradition became a Kentucky institution.

The Origin of an Unusual Name

The odd name “Rabbit Hash” comes from the Christmas Day flood of 1847. Rising Ohio River waters forced local rabbits to higher ground, turning them into an unexpected food source for stranded residents.

A local man named Frank joked during the disaster that “rabbit hash” would be plentiful. His quip stuck first as his nickname, then spread to the whole community.

When mail mix-ups with Carrollton became a problem, the post office set up in 1879 as Carlton was officially renamed Rabbit Hash three months later. This strange name has stuck ever since.

The Historic General Store

Built in 1831, the Rabbit Hash General Store started as a storage building for farmers waiting for steamboats on the Ohio River. James A. Wilson, just 17 years old, became its first owner that same year.

The store has lived through many floods thanks to iron rods anchoring it firmly to the ground. During the 1937 flood, waters rose to an unheard-of 79.9 feet, completely covering the building.

Mud from that massive flood still remains in the store’s attic crawl space as proof of its survival. Now listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989, the store’s famous front bears the slogan “Tobacco, Sundries, Potions and Notions,” inviting folks to step back in time.

When Fire Struck the Heart of Town

At 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2016, disaster hit when fire tore through the historic General Store. Five different Boone County fire departments fought the blaze in freezing 9-degree temperatures. Their water turned to ice as they worked.

The almost five-hour battle showed the old potbelly stove inside was likely to blame. Despite hard work, the 185-year-old building was mostly destroyed.

Locals saved the famous front façade and store sign from the wreckage. Before the flames were fully out, residents had already promised to rebuild their beloved landmark within a year.

Rising from the Ashes

The community jumped into action with heart and hope. A GoFundMe campaign raised nearly $51,000 from 950 donors within days toward a $250,000 rebuilding goal.

Experts used detailed laser scanning to make exact measurements of the original building, capturing every quirk of the historic structure. Crews saved specific materials including studding, siding, shelving, flooring, porch overhang, rear door, front center door, and window frames.

The rebuilt store added modern safety features like smoke detectors, a sprinkler system, and a walk-in refrigerator while keeping its historic look.

After getting approval from national, state, and local historical societies, the store reopened on April 1, 2017.

How the Furry Elections Began

In 1998, during Boone County’s 200th birthday celebration, Rabbit Hash found itself without a mayor. A resident named Don Claire suggested something unusual: elect an animal to the position.

The Rabbit Hash Historical Society saw this as a chance to raise money. They set up a simple voting system: each vote costs $1, and voters can cast as many votes as they want.

The race drew both human and dog candidates, including a famous woodcarver nicknamed “Crazy Clifford” Pottorf and a dog named Herb.

In the end, Goofy Borneman-Calhoun, a dog “of unknown parentage,” won the election, becoming Rabbit Hash’s first canine mayor.

The Lineup of Canine Mayors

Mayor Goofy served from 1998 until his death in July 2001 at age 16. The job stayed empty until 2004, when Junior Cochran, a black Labrador, took office.

Junior’s time as mayor hit a snag when the Northern Kentucky Health Department banned him from entering the General Store after someone complained about animals inside. On March 13, 2008, Junior’s owner asked for an exception for the “mayor.” It was granted, and Junior died in office on May 30, 2008, at age 15.

A special election on August 31, 2008, led to Lucy Lou, a border collie, becoming the town’s first female mayor. Her campaign slogan—”The b**** you can count on”—showed the town’s playful humor.

Lucy Lou gained national fame, appearing on CBS Sunday Morning with Bill Geist. She made history as the first dog mayor not to die in office, stepping down in 2016 after 8 years of service.

Modern Mayoral Politics

The 2016 election happened while the town was rebuilding the General Store after the terrible fire. Brynneth “Brynn” Pawltro, a pit bull, won with 3,367 votes.

Bourbon, an Australian shepherd, came in second with 2,336 votes, while Lady Stone, a border collie, took third with 1,621 votes. In a new move, the Rabbit Hash Historical Society created ambassador jobs for the runners-up to help the mayor with official duties.

The 2020 election saw record numbers, with a total of 22,985 votes cast.

Wilbur Beast, a French bulldog, won with an amazing 13,143 votes. Jack Rabbit the Beagle and Poppy the Golden Retriever joined Lady Stone as ambassadors, creating a full dog administration.

Boone Takes Office

On November 5, 2024, Boone the Bluetick Coonhound became Rabbit Hash’s newest mayor.

Born December 23, 2023, Boone was less than a year old when elected, showing age doesn’t matter for political dreams in this Kentucky hamlet.

Boone’s campaign, with its catchy slogan “Have a drink at noon and vote for Boone,” beat 10 other dogs and one controversial non-dog candidate: BEN AI, a robot that raised $4,201 despite questions about whether it should be allowed to run.

In the end, Boone received 14,162 votes, breaking previous records. Pablo, a yellow lab, got second place with over 5,300 votes, while Ruby, a service dog chihuahua, took third with more than 1,040 votes.

Boone officially took office during an “indoguration” ceremony held January 12, 2025, where he put paw to bone to start his four-year term.

More Than Just Fundraising

These dog elections create worldwide interest, drawing votes from countries including Japan, Denmark, Germany, and Australia. The 2024 election raised over $26,000 for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society, funding upkeep for the historic district.

The mayor’s duties go beyond just appearances as well. During his campaign, for instance, Boone worked with Boone County Water Rescue to promote water safety and life vests.

The Store as Community Center

The General Store’s big front porch with its roof overhang serves as the town’s social hub, hosting gatherings year-round. Regular “Behind the Stove” music events on Sundays showcase local talent, while barn dances and outdoor concerts bring in visitors from nearby areas.

The town’s dog mayors often greet tourists, posing for photos and making visits more special.

Visiting Rabbit Hash

Rabbit Hash is at 10021 Lower River Rd, Rabbit Hash, KY 41005, about 29 miles southwest of Cincinnati and close to the Cincinnati Airport and Interstate 75.

The General Store welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 AM until 6:00 PM, selling antiques, collectibles, and local crafts that capture the feel of rural Kentucky heritage.

For those wanting to stay longer, “The Old Hashienda” offers lodging with river views. Guests can relax on the porch swing, watch riverboats go by, and maybe spot the town’s four-legged mayor making rounds.

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