Last week, I took the free Rising Star Ferry from the casino across the Ohio River to Rabbit Hash. Standing along the Kentucky riverbank and looking back toward Rising Sun, I began thinking about the people who crossed this same stretch of river more than two centuries ago.

Long before Rising Sun became an established town, the land was used as hunting ground by several Indigenous tribes. Settlement on the Indiana side was difficult and, because of frontier conflict, sometimes dangerous.

According to the City of Rising Sun’s history, the first documented settlers included members of the family of Samuel Fulton, an uncle of steamboat inventor Robert Fulton. These early settlers spent only the daylight hours on the Indiana side of the river. While some cleared fields and began building homes, others helped as lookouts from the surrounding hillsides for potential danger.

Before darkness fell, the settlers ferried back across the Ohio River to Kentucky, returning again during daylight to continue their work.

The historical account does not identify precisely where on the Kentucky side they stayed. However, looking across it easy to imagine those early crossings—and how closely the two river communities have always been connected.

Today, the trip is considerably easier. Although Rising Sun and Rabbit Hash are separated by only about 2,000 feet of river, traveling between them by road is approximately 37 miles and takes nearly an hour, according to Google Maps. The Rising Star Ferry connects the two neighboring communities in just minutes, and ferry rides are currently free through 2026.

Sometimes, seeing home from the opposite side of the river gives us an entirely new view—not only of where Rising Sun stands today, but of the determination it took to build a community along these banks.

📚 Ohio County Public Library
• 9:30 AM – Tai Chi with Rosie
• 1:00 PM – Relaxing with Watercolor

🏫 Rising Sun High School
• Girls Soccer @Home vs. Switzerland County — 5 p.m
• Boys Soccer @Home vs. Switzerland County — 7 p.m

📚 Ohio County Public Library
• 9:00 AM – Walking Club
• 9:30 AM – Chair Yoga
• 11:00 AM – Adult Craft
• 1:00 PM – Learn to Crochet

🏫 Rising Sun High School
• Boys Soccer @ Home vs. South Ripley — 5 p.m

📚 Ohio County Public Library
Cookbook Club — 6 p.m.
This month’s cookbook is Ready or Not! by Michelle Tam and Henry Fong. Choose a recipe, prepare it at home and bring it to share. Enjoy sampling everyone’s dishes while swapping recipes and cooking stories!

🏫 Rising Sun High School
• Volleyball @ Home vs. Milan — 6 p.m

📚 Ohio County Public Library
• 9:00 AM – Walking Club
• 9:30 AM – Chair Yoga

Patriot Day Today, we remember and honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001.

Dumpster Day 7–11 a.m., or until the dumpsters are full City of Rising Sun

Ohio Valley River Cats 21st Annual Catfish Tournament: Day 1
8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Registration is open! Visit ohiovalleyrivercats.com for entry information. The public is invited to watch the weigh-in for free at Rising Sun Riverfront Park.

🎵 Pavilion Entertainment at Rising Star Casino Sticktight Akins
4:00–7:00 PM

Enjoy an evening of live music with Sticktight Akins. He blends classic country, outlaw country, blues, and southern rock.

Ohio Valley River Cats 21st Annual Catfish Tournament: Day 2
7 a.m.–3 p.m.
The tournament continues along the Rising Sun riverfront. The public is invited to watch the final day’s weigh-in for free.

Grandparents Day Happy Grandparents Day to all the grandparents and grandparent figures in our community!

🏫 Rising Sun High School
• Cheer Competition @ Home — 1 p.m

📚 Ohio County Public Library
🚶 Walking Club — 9:00 AM
🧘 Chair Yoga — 9:30 AM

🏫 Rising Sun High School
• Boys Soccer @ Home vs. Oldenburg Academy — 5:30 p.m

🎡 NAVY BEAN FESTIVAL WRISTBANDS

Advance amusement-ride wristbands for the September 18–19 Navy Bean Fall Festival are available for $20 per day at Rising Sun City Hall, 200 N. Walnut Street. Festival admission is free. Purchase early if you plan to ride

📣 Help Us Tell OMI’s Story

The Rising Sun Newsletter is beginning work on a future story about OMI and its history in our community. Have you worked there, or do you have old photographs, memories or information about the company’s early years in Rising Sun? We would love to hear from you. Simply reply to this email.

All In Bar & Grill at Rising Star Casino Resort recently added six sports-inspired dishes to its menu—from hearty sandwiches and the Champions Cut to shareable dips and a ballpark-inspired dessert. If you haven’t tried them yet, take a look at the new lineup below!

Featured Listing

Know someone looking for peaceful country living along the Ohio River? This 4.69-acre property near Patriot includes river frontage, a home, and a large garage/workshop with finished bonus space upstairs.

Learn more → (link to the listing)

The Community Marketplace is a new section featuring local homes, items, services and other community listings. Interested in having something featured in an upcoming issue? Reply to this newsletter or email me with the details.

Have an event, announcement, or story idea? Just hit reply—I’d love to hear from you!