Being from Mount Washington, Kentucky means growing up in a pretty typical small town. Everyone knows everything and going to church is just as important as going to the high school football games on Friday nights. Mount Washington is an interesting place to live. It's not quite small enough to be as boring as other towns in central Kentucky but not as big as a true suburb of Louisville. Being that town on the outskirts of a big city right by the true south if a fascinating middle ground.
Here are 12 things only those who have grown up in Mount Washington will know.
1. There are more than enough body shops and car dealerships
Every corner there's a dealership and every block there's a body shop. Another consistency is the lot at the corner off N. Bardstown Rd. and Hwy 44 that is a revolving door of dealerships that can't stay in business.
2. So. Many. Houses. Of. Worship.
If you're Christian, we have a church for you. Maybe three. 15+ churches in one town is like the definition of small town.
3. You can get your drug fix at the local Taco place
Yes, there's a place for that here. It's not really on the MW pride poster when you drive into town.
4. Mount Washington has some of the best schools in the greater-Louisville area
The high school has been named a top 10 school in the state for academics for two years in a row and the middle schools are up there too. If your're a cheerleader, Mount Washington is the place to be. One of the middle schools has a recent UCA World championship and the high school has multiple UCA national titles.
5. There are plenty of places to get used clothes
About a half dozen Consignment or re-sale shops in town and you are never lacking in cheap, used, under-average clothes.
6. You get donuts every Sunday after church
Donut King has literally the best donuts in the world and no one can tell you otherwise.
7. There are running bets on how long new small businesses will stay
Besides Donut King, I'm pretty sure the longest has been two years.
8. The movie theater is just about the only place to hang out
Unless you want to walk around Walmart 10 miles away or drive up to the park before it gets dark.
9. There are plenty of dollar stores in town so you never have to spend too much
They even opened up another one last month.
10. Depending on who you talk to, you are either the "dumb redneck from Bullitt County," or the "rich sophisticate from Mount Washington"
People in Louisville see you as a redneck from Bullitt County and those who live in the rest of the county see you as the rich person from the "fancy end of town." In reality, you're neither and only those from Mount Washington know how you feel.
11. There are plenty of Mexican and Chinese restaurants
Everyone has their choice of Chinese restaurant and you're either team "El Nopal" or team "Fiesta Mexicana."
12. You gather with your fellow Mount Washingtonians to support each other when they need it
You were devastated when the owner of Donut King was robbed last year and the entire town gathered together to show how much we care for our local shops. And when a fellow classmate of mine died, the whole town came together and raised money for a skate park in town.
There's no doubt about it, Mount Washington is a special and unique place to live. It can be a bit strange, and everyone claims to want to move as far away as possible, but the people here are always here when you need them the most.