06/25/2026
📍County #1 of 120: Adair County
I am so proud of this picture. I think it is a perfect portrait of Kentucky beauty. Before visiting Adair County, I had filled an entire lined notebook page with all of the places I wanted to see. With spending most of the day at the Mark Twain Storytelling Festival, there wasn't much time left for exploring.
However, one of my non-negotiables was to lay my eyes on the residence of Henry and Janice Holt Giles. Janice was a beloved author who had put down roots in Adair County, KY. Collectively, her books have sold over 3 million copies. The Gileses lived out in a little unincorporated area of Adair called Knifley. Getting out to Knifley, I really got to take in the rural countryside of the area, passing an Amish buggy, cows, horses, goats, chickens, and even a deer. A historical marker dedicated to Janice welcomes visitors along the quiet country road leading to the home, almost as if inviting you to step into a little piece of Kentucky history. Getting there later in the evening turned out to be quite a blessing, as the lighting was just perfect to capture this photo of her beautiful rustic cabin reflecting off of the water.
Janice, a divorcee, first met her husband Henry on a 40 hour bus ride from Kentucky to Texas. Henry was heading off for military duty, and Janice was headed to meet relatives. They connected during the long bus ride and courted through letters during Henry's service oversees. The day Henry returned to the United States, he and Janice wed. They built their Adair County home out of the logs of four pioneer cabins. Janice didn't even publish her first book until she was 45 years old. As a 43, almost 44 year old, who has always wanted to write a book, Janice is inspiration that it's never too late to pursue your dreams.
There is a page on Facebook called the Janice Holt Giles Society, which is a non-profit dedicated to the legacy of the Gileses, through preservation, promotion, and educational opportunities. They also host special events at the property, such as a Spring Festival and a Giles Festival in October.
📍Home of Henry and Janice Holt Giles
I am on a mission to visit all of Kentucky's counties. I would love to have you follow along on my adventures.
