Muldraugh Farm

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Before European-American settlement, various cultures of Indigenous peoples of the Americas lived in the region. The pre-colonization state of the Bluegrass is poorly known, but it is thought to have been a type of savannah known as oak savanna, with open grassland containing clover, giant river cane (a type of bamboo), and scattered enormous trees, primarily bur oak, blue ash, Shumard's oak, chinkapin oak, and kingnut hickory. Some of these trees, which are hundreds of years old, still stand in old pastures in the Bluegrass. The thickets of giant river cane, known as canebrakes, created a dense undergrowth that made it impossible to find 10 uncleared acres that were not full of cane. The local indigenous peoples hunted its large herds of bison and other game, especially near mineral licks. The name 'Kentucky' likely comes from the word for 'meadow lands' in Iroquoian, but has several other possible origins. Europeans adopted the name to apply to the state. 'Bluegrass' is a common name given in the United States for grass of the Poa genus, the most famous being the Kentucky bluegrass. Despite its name, Kentucky bluegrass is native to North Africa and was likely introduced around 1600. During the decades which followed the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), Americans settled in great numbers in the region. They migrated mostly from Virginia. By 1800 these planters noticed that horses grazed in the Bluegrass region were more hardy than those from other regions; this is due to the soil's high calcium content. Within decades of increased settlement, the remaining herds of bison had moved west. The breeding of Thoroughbred horses was developed in the region, as well as of other quality livestock. Kentucky livestock was driven to Tennessee and other areas of the Ohio River valley for sale. Planters, supported by slave labor, also cultivated major commodity crops on plantations, such as tobacco, hemp (see Hemp in Kentucky), and grapes (see Kentucky wine). The first commercial winery in the United States was opened in the Bluegrass region in 1801, in present-day Jessamine County by a group of Swiss immigrants. It was authorized by the Kentucky General Assembly. Since the antebellum years, the region has been a center for breeding quality livestock, especially thoroughbred race horses. Since the late 20th century, the area has become increasingly developed with residential and commercial properties, particularly around Lexington, the business center. Farms are losing ground to development and slowly disappearing. In 2006, the World Monuments Fund included the Bluegrass region on its global list of 100 most endangered sites. Although Bluegrass music is popular throughout the region, the genre is named after the band Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys, which in turn took their name from the state nickname of Kentucky.

In Their Own Story

The dust motes dancing in the shafts of afternoon light seemed to mock the stillness. Inside the main farmhouse, the air was thick with the smell of rot and stale earth. A survivor crouched behind a overturned kitchen table, heart hammering against their ribs as three shambling figures dragged themselves through the front door. The floorboards groaned under their weight, a sound that echoed too loudly in the empty hall. They moved slowly toward the kitchen, drawn by nothing but instinct, unaware of the human watching them from the shadows, clutching a rusted pipe and praying for silence.

Reader's Guide

Muldraugh Farm is a critical location for mid-to-late game survivors seeking high-tier loot and resources. Its primary role in the story of survival is to serve as a source of essential supplies that are often scarce elsewhere, such as canned food, fresh produce (if greenhouse crops survive), farming tools, and potential weapons found in the sheds or main house. The layout presents a significant tactical challenge due to its open grounds and interconnected buildings. Survivors must navigate between the large barns, silos, and the farmhouse while avoiding detection by zombies that patrol both indoors and outdoors. The greenhouse is particularly valuable for those looking to establish a sustainable food source later in their run. Why it matters: Successfully clearing and securing Muldraugh Farm can provide a survivor with enough resources to last for weeks or even months. It represents the transition from mere survival to establishing a foothold, offering the tools necessary to farm, build, and defend against the relentless undead horde.

Did You Know?

• The Bluegrass region is bounded on the east by the Cumberland Plateau, with the Pottsville Escarpment forming the boundary.
• On the south and west, the Bluegrass region borders the Pennyroyal Plateau (also called the Pennyrile), with Muldraugh Hill, another escarpment, forming the boundary.
• The first commercial winery in the United States was opened in the Bluegrass region in 1801, in present-day Jessamine County by a group of Swiss immigrants.
• In 2006, the World Monuments Fund included the Bluegrass region on its global list of 100 most endangered sites.
• Despite its name, Kentucky bluegrass is native to North Africa and was likely introduced around 1600.