Rabbit Hash is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Boone County, Kentucky, United States, with a population of 315 (2010 census). It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The town is notable for its name, its string of canine mayors, and its historic general store (c. 1831) which was largely destroyed by fire in 2016. Demographics Origin of name The hamlet was originally known as Carlton, but was required to change its name because mail was being mixed up with the larger community of Carrollton several miles down the Ohio River. The community is still referred to as the Carlton Voter Precinct. The name Rabbit Hash may derive from the historic use of the local rabbit population as food. During the early 19th century the town was well known for a rabbit hash meal. It is said that, in December 1847, the townsfolk were discussing what each family would be serving for their Christmas dinner. According to folklore, a man responded that he would be serving rabbit hash dinner. His response led to the other villagers nicknaming him "Rabbit Hash" as a joke. Eventually, the nickname became the known name of the village itself, and the steamboats on the nearby Ohio River stopping to order the famous hash referred to the town by it. National Register of Historic Places The hamlet's most notable building, the Rabbit Hash General Store (c. 1831), was regarded as "the best known and best preserved country store in Kentucky". The store was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 2, 1989. The Rabbit Hash Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 4, 2003. It includes , 12 buildings, 6 structures, and 3 objects around 10021-10410 Lower River Road. On February 13, 2016, the famous General Store was destroyed by a fire. According to the Belleview-McVille fire chief, the fire appeared to be accidental and was probably started by the old potbelly stove inside. The store's front sign and some larger pieces of merchandise were salvaged from the wreckage. Only three walls and the floor survived, but that original foundation was used to rebuild the store. The mayoral election in 2016 acted as a fundraiser, raising almost $9,000 to help with the restoration. It was restored and reopened on April 1, 2017, using a combination of original material and donor lumber from