Frankfort, Kentucky
Categories: Cities in Kentucky | Government of Kentucky | U.S. state capitals | Franklin County, Kentucky
| Image:Kystatecapitolbuilding.jpg | |
| Image:FrankfortKY.gif | |
| City flag | City seal |
| Image:KYMap-doton-Frankfort.PNG Location in the Commonwealth of Kentucky | |
| County | Franklin County, Kentucky |
| Area - Total - Land - Water | 38.9 km² (15.0 mi²) 38.2 km² (14.7 mi²) 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) 1.87% |
| Population - Total (2000) - Density | 27,741 727.1/km² |
| Time zone | Eastern: UTC–5 |
| Location | 38° 11′ 50″ N, 84° 51′ 47″ W |
| Mayor | William I. May, Jr. |
| City website | |
Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky, a state of the United States of America. It is the county seat of Franklin County.
As of the 2000 census, the city has a population of 27,741.
On February 3, 1900 Governor-elect William Goebel was assassinated in Frankfort while walking to the capitol to be inaugurated. Former-Secretary of State Caleb Powers was later found guilty in a conspiracy to kill Goebel.
Contents |
History
The earliest explorers to visit the area now known as Frankfort, Kentucky, perhaps came as early as 1751, following an ancient buffalo trace. The earliest settlements in the area began in August of 1786 when General James Wilkinson purchased a 260-acre tract of land on the north side of the Kentucky River from Humphrey Marshall. At the time, Kentucky was part of the colony of Virginia, and within two months the Virginia Legislature designated one hundred acres of Wilkinson’s land as the site for the town of Frankfort. The town was governed by a seven member board of trustees.
General Wilkinson, often regarded as the founder of Frankfort, also became involved as the ringleader in the so-called, "Spanish Conspiracy." Wilkinson and several prominent Kentuckians were involved in the plot to join Kentucky with the Spanish Empire to gain access to the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. The plot failed, and Wilkinson fled to Mexico where he later passed away. One of the remaining evidences of Wilkinson’s connection with the Spanish government is the naming of Miro Street after the governor of New Orleans, Esteban Miro.
The town of Frankfort most likely received its name from a 1780 event when Indians attacked a group of pioneers from Bryan’s Station who were making salt at a ford in the Kentucky River. One of the pioneers, Stephen Frank, was killed and the crossing became known as, "Frank’s Ford," and the name was later shortened to, "Frankfort."
On June 1, 1792, Kentucky entered the union as the fifteenth state. The newly formed legislature appointed a commission to find a site for the state capital. Holmes offered the state several town lots, building materials and the rents from a tobacco warehouse to gain the recommendation of Frankfort as the location of Kentucky’s capital. Eight citizens of the town offered an additional incentive of $3,000 if the state chose Frankfort as its seat of government. On December 5, 1792, the commissioners approved Frankfort as the capital of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Shortly after becoming Kentucky’s capital city, Frankfort began a period of growth and prosperity in the 1800s. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, the population of the town was 628, making it the second largest town in Kentucky after Lexington. New building projects abounded during the early years of the town’s history. A three-story statehouse was built in 1794, and by 1800 the state penitentiary was completed. In 1805 the Frankfort Water Company was established, and business continued to expand. By 1810, the number of residents increased to 1,099 and by 1860 the population of Frankfort had risen to 3,702.
In 1843 one of the nation’s first park-like cemeteries was established on the outskirts of Frankfort, and by 1844, the Frankfort Cemetery was officially incorporated. Even today, it is perhaps one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the nation, and is often called the, "Westminster of Kentucky," due to the number of prominent statesmen and civic leaders buried there. In 1845, the remains of Daniel Boone and his wife Rebecca were brought to Frankfort from Missouri and laid to rest in a place of honor within the cemetery.
The Kentucky River played an important role in the success of Frankfort as a business center. The river trade was all-important to not only merchants, but to the local farmers as well. Several factories were constructed in the city producing boxes, cloth, glass, hemp products, farm implements, fishing reels, and steamboats. Produce and manufactured goods were transported on the Kentucky River and eventually to the markets on the Ohio and the Mississippi. During the nineteenth century, Frankfort was considered a hub of commerce and trade for the central Kentucky area. Turnpikes connected the town with other communities. By the 1840s, railroads were becoming a factor in the growth of the city.
A series of disastrous fires destroyed the first and second statehouses in 1813 and 1824, and a third state capitol building was completed in 1830. This beautiful Greek revival structure served as the capitol until 1910 when the present capitol building was erected.
During the Civil War, Frankfort was briefly occupied by the Confederate Army. Fortifications overlooking the town were built on what is now called Fort Hill, and the disruption of war to the economy and society caused difficult times in the city. Social and political unrest plagued Frankfort after the war. Political unrest culminated with the assassination of Democratic gubernatorial candidate William Goebel in 1900.
After the war, the city eventually revived, and business started to flourish once again. The city's population grew from 3,702 in 1860 to 9,487 in 1900. Distilleries, meatpacking, flour milling, and lumber mills all grew rapidly in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
One of the worst disasters to strike Frankfort occurred in January 1937, when due to heavy rains the Kentucky River overflowed and flooded the city. Floods remained a problem for the low-lying areas of Frankfort for many years. A floodwall was later constructed to protect the more vulnerable parts of the city.
The first decades of the twentieth century were marked by several construction projects. The new capitol building rose in 1910, and an eleven story state office complex was completed in 1941. The capitol annex building was dedicated in 1952. The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed the massive urban renewal program of the 1960s. A portion of Frankfort at the corner of Wilkinson and Clinton Streets was torn down and rebuilt as a center of state government. In 1972, a twenty-eight story state office tower was completed, and in 1984 a hotel complex culminated the renewal project.
During the course of the twentieth century, the population of Frankfort grew from 9,487 in 1900, to 27,741 in 2000. Frankfort remains one of the most unique state capitals, with a rich history, nestled in one of the most beautiful river valleys in the nation, it is in the epitome of southern charm and grace.
Geography
Frankfort is located at 38° 11′ 50″ N, 84° 51′ 47″ W (38.197274, -84.863110)1. It is in the Bluegrass region of Central Kentucky.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.9 km² (15.0 mi²). 38.2 km² (14.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.7 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.87% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 27,741 people, 12,314 households, and 6,945 families residing in the city. The population density is 727.1/km² (1,883.2/mi²). There are 13,422 housing units at an average density of 351.8/km² (911.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 81.84% White, 14.70% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.77% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. 1.48% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 12,314 households out of which 26.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% are married couples living together, 14.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% are non-families. 37.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.14 and the average family size is 2.83.
In the city the population is spread out with 21.6% under the age of 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $34,980, and the median income for a family is $47,855. Males have a median income of $31,339 versus $25,361 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,512. 13.9% of the population and 9.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.3% of those under the age of 18 and 14.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Frankfort is the focal point of a micropolitan statistical area consisting of Frankfort and Franklin County as well as adjacent Lawrenceburg and Anderson County. The city has also acheived classification into a combined statistical area with Lexington and Richmond to the east.
Education
Frankfort is the home of Kentucky State University, a historically black university situated near the downtown area. Two school districts serve the city, with three public high schools located within the city limits:
- Frankfort Independent Schools:
- Franklin County Schools:
- Franklin County High School
- Western Hills High School
Frankfort also has a private high school, the Frankfort Christian Academy.
Sister City
Frankfort has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc.: San Pedro de Macoris (Dominican Republic).
External links
- Information about Frankfort
- Frankfort Information page from Kentucky Secretary of State
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Local or Yahoo! Maps
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
- Satellite image from Google Local or Microsoft Virtual Earth
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