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History of Kentucky, USA
Journey back in time to Kentucky, USA
Visit Kentucky, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and ancestry.




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Kentucky was a popular hunting ground for the Shawnee and Cherokee Indian nations prior to being settled by white settlers.
In 1888, "Honest Dick" Tate the state treasurer embezzled $247,000 and fled the state.
50states.com
"There is no consensus on where Kentucky's name comes from. Among the possibilities, though, are various Indians words, all from the Iroquoian language group, meaning "meadow," "prairie," "at the prairie," "at the field," "land of tomorrow," "river bottom," and "the river of blood."" mentalfloss.com
There is MUCH more to discover about Kentucky, USA. Read on!
Kentucky Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Discover Kentucky: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1769 - First visit made by Daniel Boone to Kentucky
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
The World Almanac of the U.S.A, by Allan Carpenter and Carl Provorse, 1996
1792 - Kentucky became 15th U. S. state
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1797 - Mammoth Cave main section discovered by Robert Houchins
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
February 6, 1807 - It was the famous "Cold Friday" in the Midwest and South. The temperature did not rise above zero in Ohio and Kentucky.
WeatherForYou.com
February 6, 1807
WeatherForYou.com
February 6, 1807
1812 - In the War of 1812 more than half of all Americans killed in action were Kentuckians.
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ kentucky.html
www.ereferencedesk.com/ resources/ state-facts/ kentucky.html
1812 - Earthquake occurred; tidal waves created on Mississippi River, river flowed backward, created Kentucky Bend, formed Reelfoot Lake area
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1818 - Western portion of Kentucky purchased by President Andrew Jackson from the Chickasaw Indians (Jackson Purchase)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1830 - Louisville and Portland Canal opened
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1848 - No Dueling Allowed
All public officials and attorneys in Kentucky must swear an oath that they “have not fought a duel with deadly weapons” nor acted as a second in another person’s duel. Good to know now; unfortunately, when the oath took effect in 1848, many would-be duelists turned to murderous street brawls instead.
rd.com
All public officials and attorneys in Kentucky must swear an oath that they “have not fought a duel with deadly weapons” nor acted as a second in another person’s duel. Good to know now; unfortunately, when the oath took effect in 1848, many would-be duelists turned to murderous street brawls instead.
rd.com
1861 - September 3 – American Civil War: Confederate General Leonidas Polk invades neutral Kentucky, prompting the state legislature to ask for Union assistance.
wikipedia.org
wikipedia.org
1861 - December 10 – American Civil War: Kentucky is accepted into the Confederate States of America.
wikipedia.org
December 10, 1861
wikipedia.org
December 10, 1861
1868 - A Kentucky statue gives to the widow and minor children of a person killed by the careless, wanton or malicious use of deadly weapons, an action against the person committing the killing.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
April 18, 1868
1869 - In Taylor county, Ky., the other day, two young men were poisoned by eating hemlock root. It was thought one of them could not recover.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 3, 1869
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
July 3, 1869
1895 - Kentucky
Kentuck'y, an E. central state of the American Union, in the Mississippi Valley, bounded N. by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, E. by West Virginia and Virginia, S. by Tennessee, and W. by Missouri. The Ohio River separates it from the states on the N.; its E. line follows the Big Sandy River and its Tug Fork to the crest of the Cumberland Mountains, which form the S.E. limit of the state; the S. boundary, to the E. of the Tennessee River, is the parallel of 36° 38' N., and thence westward follows that of 36° 30' N.; and the Mississippi River marks the W. limit. Area, 40,400 square miles...
Population.–In 1790 the population was 73,677; in 1800, 220,955; in 1810, 406,511; in 1820, 564,135; in 1830. 687,917; in 1840, 779,828; in 1850, 982,405: in 1860, 1,155,684; in 1876, 1,321,011; in 1880, 1,648,690; in 1890, 1,858,635.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Kentuck'y, an E. central state of the American Union, in the Mississippi Valley, bounded N. by Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, E. by West Virginia and Virginia, S. by Tennessee, and W. by Missouri. The Ohio River separates it from the states on the N.; its E. line follows the Big Sandy River and its Tug Fork to the crest of the Cumberland Mountains, which form the S.E. limit of the state; the S. boundary, to the E. of the Tennessee River, is the parallel of 36° 38' N., and thence westward follows that of 36° 30' N.; and the Mississippi River marks the W. limit. Area, 40,400 square miles...
Population.–In 1790 the population was 73,677; in 1800, 220,955; in 1810, 406,511; in 1820, 564,135; in 1830. 687,917; in 1840, 779,828; in 1850, 982,405: in 1860, 1,155,684; in 1876, 1,321,011; in 1880, 1,648,690; in 1890, 1,858,635.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1899 - December 16 - Augusta High School in Augusta, Kentucky, burns down due to a heating plant failure.
wikipedia.org
December 16, 1899
wikipedia.org
December 16, 1899
1900 - Over 1,500 armed civilians took control of Capitol for two weeks; governor declared martial law, activated Kentucky militia; Governor William Goebel shot by assassin
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
(1905 - 1909) Black Patch War - farmers burned barns and fields belonging to large tobacco interests; ended tobacco-buying monopoly (Kenturcky)
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1926 - Mammoth Cave National Park established
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1936 - Last legal public hanging in Kentucky occurred
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
1944 - Kentucky Dam completed
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
www.worldatlas.com/ webimage/ countrys/ namerica/ usstates/ kytimeln.htm
January 28, 1963 - The low of -34 degrees at Cynthiana, KY, equalled the state record established just four days earlier at Bonnieville.
WeatherForYou.com
WeatherForYou.com
2023 - Kentucky has something for everyone. Here's a list of places to go and things to do in the Bluegrass State:
1. Visit the Bourbon Trail: Kentucky is renowned for its bourbon whiskey, and the Bourbon Trail offers a unique opportunity to tour some of the most famous distilleries in the world. You can sample various bourbons, learn about the distillation process, and enjoy the scenic countryside.
2. Explore Mammoth Cave National Park: Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour to explore its awe-inspiring underground chambers, stalactites, and stalagmites.
3. Attend the Kentucky Derby: If you're in Kentucky in early May, don't miss the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. It's one of the most famous horse races in the world and a spectacular event filled with tradition, fashion, and excitement.
4. Discover the Ark Encounter: Located in Williamstown, this massive replica of Noah's Ark is a fascinating and educational attraction. Explore the exhibits and learn about biblical history.
5. Hike in Red River Gorge: This... Read MORE...
1. Visit the Bourbon Trail: Kentucky is renowned for its bourbon whiskey, and the Bourbon Trail offers a unique opportunity to tour some of the most famous distilleries in the world. You can sample various bourbons, learn about the distillation process, and enjoy the scenic countryside.
2. Explore Mammoth Cave National Park: Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, and it's a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour to explore its awe-inspiring underground chambers, stalactites, and stalagmites.
3. Attend the Kentucky Derby: If you're in Kentucky in early May, don't miss the Kentucky Derby in Louisville. It's one of the most famous horse races in the world and a spectacular event filled with tradition, fashion, and excitement.
4. Discover the Ark Encounter: Located in Williamstown, this massive replica of Noah's Ark is a fascinating and educational attraction. Explore the exhibits and learn about biblical history.
5. Hike in Red River Gorge: This... Read MORE...
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NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/18/2023 6:59:55 PM