Hype for the Future 100O: Civilian Settlements near Fort Knox

Introduction

Fort Knox represents a significant military installation located in Hardin County, Kentucky, west of the City of Elizabethtown and near the Meade County line to the west. However, the City of Muldraugh, primarily on the Meade County side of the line and relatively further to the north, is a civilian settlement located within the immediate vicinity of Fort Knox, surrounded on all sides by the latter.

Tourist Attractions Associated with Fort Knox

While Fort Knox is an active military base within the United States of America, civilian attractions include the General George Patton Museum of Leadership and the Patton Museum Foundation, which may refer to the history of Fort Knox and the surrounding area(s). Both are accessible from Route 31W in the region southwest of the larger City of Louisville.

Hype for the Future 100N: Meade County, Kentucky

Introduction

Meade County is located directly along the Ohio River and south of the City of Corydon and Harrison County, Indiana. The Meade County Fairgrounds are located on the western side of the City of Brandenburg, the county seat of Meade County, and are accessible from near Route 73, the only Ohio River crossing associated with the county on the Kentucky side.

Communities

Just a few communities exist within Meade County, the westernmost Kentucky county along the Ohio River to observe the Eastern Time Zone officially. The City of Brandenburg is the county seat and primary market community of the county, with the remainder of the county predominantly rural, even in spite of the relative proximity to the Fort Knox military installation to the east in Hardin County. Meade County today also contains the Meade County Historical Museum and a few other attractions of local interest; however, many of the military-adjacent facilities are located primarily—or exclusively—within Hardin County.

Hype for the Future 100M: City of Corydon, Indiana

Introduction

The City of Corydon is located in the south-central portion of the State of Indiana, relatively close to the Ohio River along Kentucky to the south. Located in the rolling hills of Southern Indiana, the City of Corydon is a relatively smaller locale, with permanent population estimates often smaller than ten thousand (10,000) residents.

Iconic Corydon

The City of Corydon is home to Indiana’s First State Capitol, prior to having moved significantly north to the modern City of Indianapolis in the central portion of the State. Today, the First State Capitol building remains preserved to symbolize the original role of the city, though additional locations of interest include the First State Office Building, the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, the William Henry Harrison Log Cabin, the Posey House, and the Constitution Elm Stump.

Iconic Harrison County

Located outside the inner city limits of Corydon, though still within the county limits of Harrison County, are notable tourist attractions at the Indiana Caverns and the Squire Boone Caverns to the south. Both sites are generally accessible within close proximity to State Road 135 south of the City of Corydon, while smaller parks and associated areas also exist to serve the smaller communities throughout the rolling hills of the county.

Hype for the Future 100L: Lincoln County, Kentucky

Introduction

Along with Jefferson and Fayette Counties, Lincoln County represents one of the original three (3) counties associated with early Kentucky. Originally spanning much of the Cumberland Plateau and eastern Pennyroyal (Pennyrile) regions of the Commonwealth, the county today uses the home-rule class City of Stanford as the county seat, though the population of the community may be smaller than four thousand residents on the regular.

Attractions

Even within Lincoln County, historical significance for the Commonwealth of a Kentucky as a whole is relatively obscure. The hidden gems of the Commonwealth of Kentucky include the Cities of Stanford and Crab Orchard, both located today along Route 150. Stanford is to the west, and Crab Orchard is to the east; however, the historical significance of the county is largely determined by both communities.

Stanford and Crab Orchard

Within the City of Stanford, iconic attractions include the Stanford Inn at Wilderness Road, the Historic L&N Depot and Museum, and the Logan’s Fort Foundation. Further east, the City of Crab Orchard is home to the Confederate Monument at Crab Orchard as well as the Crab Orchard Veterans Memorial, without a significant number of tourist attractions.

Hype for the Future 100K: The History of the Commonwealth of Kentucky

Introduction

Within the late colonial era, the area of present-day Kentucky was largely associated with unauthorized entry and violations of the Proclamation of 1763. However, even prior to the 1783 Treaty of Paris, the western claim by the Commonwealth of Virginia had largely been associated with the emerging Kentucky (or Kentucke) County, Virginia.

Early Modern America

Shortly after the Declaration of Independence of 1776, the emerging westward expansion had largely been restricted to the Appalachian Mountains in the west. However, the Scots-Irish and Germans were amongst the first groups to continue expanding westward, with the 1783 Treaty of Paris effectively defining an even more westerly territorial claim, out to the Mississippi River in the west. Within such a claim was the early Kentucky County, Virginia, associated with the westward expansion of the Virginian claim to the Mississippi River, even if the effective territorial claim was initially restricted to the Tennessee River in the west.

First Counties (1792)

The three original counties of the Commonwealth of Kentucky had been Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln Counties, all of which continue to exist albeit in significantly reduced forms to this day. Historically, Fayette County had represented Northern Kentucky and much of the Inner and Outer Bluegrass regions, while Lincoln County had represented the Cumberland Plateau and the surrounding Pennyroyal (Pennyrile) region. Much of the western side of the newfound State would initially become part of Jefferson County.

Hype for the Future 100J: Vincennes, Indiana

Introduction

Now a modern city, the historic settlement of Vincennes is located in the oldest county associated with the modern State of Indiana, now known as Knox County and directly facing the Wabash River. Historically integral to New France, the community continues to overlook the banks of the Wabash and is highly influential to the culture and history of the State of Indiana.

Context

The State of Indiana contains the notable community at the City of Vincennes, continuing to celebrate French and Catholic heritage along the historic Wabash River. A charming community in the southwestern portion of the State of Indiana, the modern city remains of academic and cultural interest, with Vincennes University representing a modern anchor and the state historic sites within Vincennes representing George Rogers Clark and Grouseland, a historic home of William Henry Harrison. Both the birthplace of Red Skelton and the Indiana Military Museum are also located nearby within the city.

Hype for the Future 100I: The Hydrological Definition of the High Country

Overview

Hydrologically, the High Country of the State of North Carolina shall be defined as the extent of the New River Valley, including all forks and branches of the New River, located within the State of North Carolina.

Hype for the Future 100H: What is the High Country of North Carolina?

Overview

The High Country of the State of North Carolina refers to the relatively higher elevations in the mountainous portions of the State of North Carolina. The State of North Carolina is home to the numerous communities at higher elevations within the region, and the cities at higher elevation that are also somewhat larger often define the cultural boundaries of the High Country, culturally distinct from Asheville and more influenced by the Tri-Cities to the west and even Roanoke to the north. Today, communities such as Boone and Blowing Rock are hydrologically related to the New River Valley, which typically defines the region known as the High Country. Based on the New River definition of the High Country, the region specifically refers to the areas around the City of Boone in Watauga County and in a number of surrounding counties within the State.

Hype for the Future 100G: Ashe County, North Carolina

Introduction

Ashe County is located at the northwestern corner of the State of North Carolina, with the Commonwealth of Virginia to the north and the State of Tennessee to the west. The county is deeply embedded within the Great Smoky Mountains and is a popular vacation and retiree destination located within the higher elevations of the region, especially attractive to visitors from Florida, Georgia, and the lower elevations of the Carolinas.

Communities

While the Town of Jefferson is the county seat of Ashe County, the resort town of West Jefferson provides the vast majority of the cultural features associated with the area. Today, the Town of West Jefferson contains such cultural traits as the R T Morgan Art Gallery, the Catch Light Gallery, the Originals Only Gallery, and the Ashe Arts Center. To the east of the primary communities is the New River State Park, with the upper New River remaining a point of cultural significance throughout the region otherwise known as the High Country.

Hype for the Future 100F: Town of Sparta, North Carolina

Overview

The Town of Sparta is located within Alleghany County, North Carolina, along the Virginia state line to serve as the county seat. Without a significant tourist industry, the community remains even more highly rural than the vast majority of surrounding communities within the most recreational area of the Appalachians and Great Smoky Mountains in particular. Within the Town of Sparta, the only notable point of cultural interest is the Alleghany Historical Museum.

Hype for the Future 100E: Madison County, North Carolina

Introduction

Madison County is located along the western edge of the State of North Carolina, with the Town of Marshall serving as the county seat and the Town of Mars Hill to the east serving as the largest community within the county.

Attractions

Locally within the Town of Marshall is an art gallery known as “Flow” as well as a statue on the Charters of Freedom. Further east, the Town of Mars Hill is home to Mars Hill University as well as the Mars Landing Galleries and Arts Center outside campus. On the eastern edge of the Mars Hill campus are the Weizenblatt Gallery as well as the Rural Heritage Museum.

Hype for the Future 100D: Town of Bakersville, North Carolina

Overview

The Town of Bakersville is the central town and county seat of Mitchell County, North Carolina, within the western part of the state and the United States of America. Bakersville is home to just a few art galleries and associated collections, as with the vast majority of other communities located elsewhere within the western part of the State of North Carolina, with specifically the In Tandem Gallery and the Silver Maple Gallery and Music Studio located within the town.

Hype for the Future 100C: Town of Spruce Pine, North Carolina

Overview

The Town of Spruce Pine represents the largest town located within the boundaries of Mitchell County, North Carolina, and is situated within one of just a few places where high-purity quartz can be found, especially within the Spruce Pine Mining District. While not much exists in tourist attractions within Spruce Pine, lodging is available throughout the community and Mitchell County, including the iconic Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel.

Hype for the Future 100B: Grandfather Mountain

Introduction

Largely associated with Avery County, Grandfather Mountain is situated at the highest elevation along the Eastern Continental Divide in the United States of America. Though Mount Mitchell is situated at an even higher elevation, Mitchell is located further west and not along the Eastern Continental Divide in any way.

Infrastructure

The entirely gated community known as Grandfather is located directly at the centerpiece of Grandfather Mountain in the western portion of the State of North Carolina. Nearby, the community of Linville is associated with the modern Highland Games event known as Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. Surrounding communities are also home to tourist attractions along the Blue Ridge Mountains, including the overlooks of the Blue Ridge Parkway associated with Grandfather Mountain and surrounding areas. Also associated with Grandfather Mountain is the site of Grandfather Mountain State Park, recognizing the role of the mountain as the highest point directly along the proper Eastern Continental Divide.

Hype for the Futute 100A: Avery County, North Carolina

Overview

Situated immediately outside the Town of Banner Elk are two notable ski resorts in the area, namely the Beech Mountain Resort in the north and the Sugar Mountain Resort in the south. Wildcat Lake is situated nearby, and Grandfather Mountain is situated somewhat further to the southeast. In town, however, is the Banner House Museum, largely home to preserved historical artifacts from the 1860s in an analogous historic home. To the east of town, the Banner Elk community is also home to the Apple Hill Farm, which requires tickets.

Hype for the Future 100/284: Town of Banner Elk, North Carolina

Overview

The Town of Banner Elk is the largest town located within Avery County, North Carolina. However, the Town of Newland to the south serves as the county seat, and the most significant geographical interest related to the county is the relatively high elevation associated with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the region. Today, the Town of Newland is the county seat with the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River, while the Town of Banner Elk is home to the college or university of the highest elevation in the eastern part of the country. The college is known as Lees-McRae College, and the surrounding area is largely determined by rural mountain communities, thus with minimal population.

Hype for the Future 💯: Day One Hundred Review

Overview

Since November 1, 2025, novaTopFlex has seen a significant influx of new subscribers to the novaTopFlex and geoTopFlex channels over on YouTube. After uploading new videos to YouTube Shorts, novaTopFlex is up from 186 subscribers to 294 subscribers just moving from the new year of 2026 to approximately 11:56 AM UTC on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The geoTopFlex channel is now officially at 24 total subscribers; new information on all three (3) channels will be available in the near future as well.