Add YOUR Family To This Page
History of Covington, Kentucky, USA
Journey back in time to Covington, Kentucky, USA
Explore Covington, Kentucky, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Covington Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

Covington, Kenton, Kentucky, USA
The Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington has 82 stained-glass windows including the world's largest hand-blown one. The window measures 24 feet wide by 67 feet high and depicts the Council of Ephesus with 134 life-sized figures.
50states.com
Explore even more about Covington, Kentucky, USA. Keep reading!
Discover Covington: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1854 - Covington
Covington, a flourishing city of Kenton county, Kentucky, situated on the Ohio river, opposite Cincinnati, and just below the mouth of the Licking river, which separates it from the city of Newport. It is built on a beautiful plain, several miles in extent, and regularly laid out in accordance with the plan of Cincinnati, of which it may be considered a suburb. The facilities of inter course are such, that many persons reside here, whose places of business are in Cincinnati. Covington is connected with Lexington by a railroad about 90 miles long. A charter is also obtained for a railroad from this place to Louisville. It contains about 10 churches, 3 banks, a large city hall, 2 female academies, the Western Theological College, a richly endowed and flourishing institution, under the direction of the Baptists, and 3 newspaper offices. Here are manufactories of cotton, hemp, silk, and tobacco, a large rolling mill, and an extensive establishment for packing pork and beef. Pop. in 1853,... Read MORE...
Covington, a flourishing city of Kenton county, Kentucky, situated on the Ohio river, opposite Cincinnati, and just below the mouth of the Licking river, which separates it from the city of Newport. It is built on a beautiful plain, several miles in extent, and regularly laid out in accordance with the plan of Cincinnati, of which it may be considered a suburb. The facilities of inter course are such, that many persons reside here, whose places of business are in Cincinnati. Covington is connected with Lexington by a railroad about 90 miles long. A charter is also obtained for a railroad from this place to Louisville. It contains about 10 churches, 3 banks, a large city hall, 2 female academies, the Western Theological College, a richly endowed and flourishing institution, under the direction of the Baptists, and 3 newspaper offices. Here are manufactories of cotton, hemp, silk, and tobacco, a large rolling mill, and an extensive establishment for packing pork and beef. Pop. in 1853,... Read MORE...
1867 - January 1 – The Covington–Cincinnati Suspension Bridge opens between Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky in the United States, becoming the longest single-span bridge in the world.
wikipedia.org
January 1, 1867
wikipedia.org
January 1, 1867
1872 - Meeting
The colored people of Covington, Ky., held a mass-meeting on the night of the 29th ult. and passed a resolution favoring general amnesty.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 9, 1872
The colored people of Covington, Ky., held a mass-meeting on the night of the 29th ult. and passed a resolution favoring general amnesty.
St Joseph Herald
Saint Joseph, Michigan
March 9, 1872
1895 - Covington
Covington, a city of Kentucky, the capital of Kenton co., is situated on the Ohio River, opposite Cincinnati, and immediately below the mouth of the Licking River. It is the N. terminus of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and is 99 miles N. of Lexington by that route. It is also on the Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington Railroad. The site is a nearly level plain. A grand suspension bridge, 2252 feet long, crosses the Ohio and connects Covington with Cincinnati. This bridge cost nearly $2,000,000. Another bridge across the Licking connects it with the city of Newport. Covington contains many residences of persons who do business in Cincinnati. It has 20 or more churches (Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Lutheran, Methodist, and presbyterian), 3 national banks, a city hall, a high school, a public library, a new United States court-house, a Catholic hospital, a foundling asylum, an orphanage, a con vent, and two Catholic academies, 2 or 3 rolling-mills, several distilleries, manufactures of... Read MORE...
Covington, a city of Kentucky, the capital of Kenton co., is situated on the Ohio River, opposite Cincinnati, and immediately below the mouth of the Licking River. It is the N. terminus of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and is 99 miles N. of Lexington by that route. It is also on the Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington Railroad. The site is a nearly level plain. A grand suspension bridge, 2252 feet long, crosses the Ohio and connects Covington with Cincinnati. This bridge cost nearly $2,000,000. Another bridge across the Licking connects it with the city of Newport. Covington contains many residences of persons who do business in Cincinnati. It has 20 or more churches (Baptist, Catholic, Christian, Lutheran, Methodist, and presbyterian), 3 national banks, a city hall, a high school, a public library, a new United States court-house, a Catholic hospital, a foundling asylum, an orphanage, a con vent, and two Catholic academies, 2 or 3 rolling-mills, several distilleries, manufactures of... Read MORE...
1902 - Storm
A terrific waterspout struck the southern suburbs of Covington, Ky., and passed up the Miami valley with damages reported from as far as Dayton. Near Covington the water rolled down the hills in a wave 20 feet deep and 100 yards wide.
The residence of Edward Wohrley was carried four blocks and dashed to pieces. The house was occupied by four families. All escaped except Mrs. Flachner and Willie Willen, aged four who were drowned.
Daily Iowa State Press
Iowa City, Iowa
May 21, 1902
A terrific waterspout struck the southern suburbs of Covington, Ky., and passed up the Miami valley with damages reported from as far as Dayton. Near Covington the water rolled down the hills in a wave 20 feet deep and 100 yards wide.
The residence of Edward Wohrley was carried four blocks and dashed to pieces. The house was occupied by four families. All escaped except Mrs. Flachner and Willie Willen, aged four who were drowned.
Daily Iowa State Press
Iowa City, Iowa
May 21, 1902
1905 - Run Down By a Train.
Covington, Ky., Aug. 28 - Ben Tarvin, 35, was probably fatally injured in the C. & O. yards, beneath the 11th street viaduct. It is said he was attempting to step out of the way of an approaching train and was struck by a yard engine coming from another direction.
Springfield Sun
Springfield, Kentucky
August 30, 1905
Covington, Ky., Aug. 28 - Ben Tarvin, 35, was probably fatally injured in the C. & O. yards, beneath the 11th street viaduct. It is said he was attempting to step out of the way of an approaching train and was struck by a yard engine coming from another direction.
Springfield Sun
Springfield, Kentucky
August 30, 1905
1916
Covington, a city (formerly the capital) of Kenton co., Ky., is situated on the Ohio River, opposite Cincinnati, and immediately below the mouth of the Licking River. It is on the Louisville and Nashville and the Chesapeake and Ohio Rs., and is 99 miles N. of Lexington. The site is nearly a level plain. Imposing bridges connect Covington with Cincinnati, and the city is also united across the Licking River with Newport. Covington contains many residences of Cincinnati merchants. It has a stately cathedral, a city-hall, a public library, a United States government building, several Catholic institutions, a home for aged and indigent women, etc. It is the see of a Catholic bishop. Its manufacturing and other industries comprise pork-packing, several rolling-mills, carriage- and wagon-works, glass-works, cigar-factories, flour-mills, and distilleries. Pop. in 1870, 24,505 ; in 1880, 29,720 ; in 1890, 37,371 ; in 1900, 42,938.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
Covington, a city (formerly the capital) of Kenton co., Ky., is situated on the Ohio River, opposite Cincinnati, and immediately below the mouth of the Licking River. It is on the Louisville and Nashville and the Chesapeake and Ohio Rs., and is 99 miles N. of Lexington. The site is nearly a level plain. Imposing bridges connect Covington with Cincinnati, and the city is also united across the Licking River with Newport. Covington contains many residences of Cincinnati merchants. It has a stately cathedral, a city-hall, a public library, a United States government building, several Catholic institutions, a home for aged and indigent women, etc. It is the see of a Catholic bishop. Its manufacturing and other industries comprise pork-packing, several rolling-mills, carriage- and wagon-works, glass-works, cigar-factories, flour-mills, and distilleries. Pop. in 1870, 24,505 ; in 1880, 29,720 ; in 1890, 37,371 ; in 1900, 42,938.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher
1917 - Joe Catching Killed At Covington
Mr. Joe Catching, son of Mr. J. F. Catching of this county, who held a position as yard switchman at Covington, was caught between two cars and crushed to death Saturday night about 7 o'clock.
His remains were brought to London on the early Monday morning train, and then conveyed to the home of his father near Piney Grove. His body was laid to rest in the Ward graveyard in the presence of a large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends.
He leaves a wife and four small children, father, six brothers, sister, and a large number of other relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.
Mr. Catching was a quiet, industrious young man and was well thought of by all who knew him. His family has the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.
The London Sentinel
London, Kentucky
August 9, 1917
Mr. Joe Catching, son of Mr. J. F. Catching of this county, who held a position as yard switchman at Covington, was caught between two cars and crushed to death Saturday night about 7 o'clock.
His remains were brought to London on the early Monday morning train, and then conveyed to the home of his father near Piney Grove. His body was laid to rest in the Ward graveyard in the presence of a large crowd of sorrowing relatives and friends.
He leaves a wife and four small children, father, six brothers, sister, and a large number of other relatives and friends to mourn his untimely death.
Mr. Catching was a quiet, industrious young man and was well thought of by all who knew him. His family has the sympathy of the entire community in their sad bereavement.
The London Sentinel
London, Kentucky
August 9, 1917
1920 - Brothers' Greetings Bring Death to Both!
Train Lurch Finds Men On Car Off Guard and They Fall Under Wheels.
Special to The Courier-Journal dated Wednesday morning, July 28, 1920
Covington, Ky., July 27 - The exchange of greetings during their first meeting as members of the same switching crew in the C. & O. Railroad yards in Covington proved fatal Tuesday morning for two brothers, Bernard Rusche, 23 years old, and Joseph J. Rusche, 28.
Within half an hour of the time they were to have been relieved of duty, the brothers chanced to meet on the top of a cut of box cars in the Covington yard.
They paused for a moment in the midst of their duties to speak to one another. Just then the engine attached to the cars unexpectedly started forward. The brothers, off their guard, were thrown from the car by the lurch and fell under the moving wheels.
Besides other injuries the legs of each of the brothers were cut off. The victims were hurried to St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where they died within a short time of one... Read MORE...
Train Lurch Finds Men On Car Off Guard and They Fall Under Wheels.
Special to The Courier-Journal dated Wednesday morning, July 28, 1920
Covington, Ky., July 27 - The exchange of greetings during their first meeting as members of the same switching crew in the C. & O. Railroad yards in Covington proved fatal Tuesday morning for two brothers, Bernard Rusche, 23 years old, and Joseph J. Rusche, 28.
Within half an hour of the time they were to have been relieved of duty, the brothers chanced to meet on the top of a cut of box cars in the Covington yard.
They paused for a moment in the midst of their duties to speak to one another. Just then the engine attached to the cars unexpectedly started forward. The brothers, off their guard, were thrown from the car by the lurch and fell under the moving wheels.
Besides other injuries the legs of each of the brothers were cut off. The victims were hurried to St. Elizabeth's Hospital, where they died within a short time of one... Read MORE...
Here's a list of places to go and things to do in Covington:
MainStrasse Village: This historic district is a must-visit. It's lined with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings, offering a unique atmosphere. You'll find a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars here. It's an excellent place for a leisurely stroll and a meal.
Roebling Suspension Bridge: Take a walk or bike ride across this iconic bridge, which connects Covington to Cincinnati, Ohio. It's a great spot for taking photos and enjoying scenic views of the Ohio River.
Devou Park: This expansive park offers beautiful hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline. It's an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts.
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption: Visit this stunning architectural gem, often referred to as the "Covington Basilica." Its intricate stained glass windows and Gothic architecture are truly impressive.
Behringer-Crawford Museum: Learn about the history of the Northern Kentucky region through exhibits on art,... Read MORE...
MainStrasse Village: This historic district is a must-visit. It's lined with cobblestone streets and colorful buildings, offering a unique atmosphere. You'll find a variety of restaurants, shops, and bars here. It's an excellent place for a leisurely stroll and a meal.
Roebling Suspension Bridge: Take a walk or bike ride across this iconic bridge, which connects Covington to Cincinnati, Ohio. It's a great spot for taking photos and enjoying scenic views of the Ohio River.
Devou Park: This expansive park offers beautiful hiking trails, picnic areas, and stunning panoramic views of the Cincinnati skyline. It's an excellent place for outdoor enthusiasts.
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption: Visit this stunning architectural gem, often referred to as the "Covington Basilica." Its intricate stained glass windows and Gothic architecture are truly impressive.
Behringer-Crawford Museum: Learn about the history of the Northern Kentucky region through exhibits on art,... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Covington Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Covington, Kentucky, USA
We currently have information about 69 ancestors who were born or died in Covington.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
Ancestors Who Were Married in Covington, Kentucky, USA
We currently have information about ancestors who were married in Covington.View Them Now
Genealogy Resources for Covington
Discover Unique Gift Ideas from or related to Covington


Kentucky Proud Ceramic Mug - Bourbon and Derby Enthusiast
Celebrate your Kentucky roots with this charming Kentucky-inspired ceramic mug, perfect for sipping your favorite beverage while showcasing your love for the Bluegrass State. Featuring the humorous caption, "I'm from Kentucky! That explains a lot about my love for bourbon and my skill in predicting the winner of the Derby," this mug is a delightful nod to Kentucky's rich traditions.

Patriotic Memories: Memorial Day Vintage Postcard Coffee Mug
Remembering the Brave, Honoring the Fallen Celebrate the spirit of Memorial Day with this stunning ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcards commemorating the holiday. Perfect for honoring the brave men and women who served, this mug is both a functional keepsake and a nostalgic work of art. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or enjoying an afternoon tea, this dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly mug is a timeless way to show your patriotism. Ideal as a gift for veterans, history buffs, or anyone who cherishes American traditions, this mug makes Memorial Day even more meaningful.
Not the place you are looking for? Try again!
Search for YOUR Family by Place
Our Genealogy Gift Ideas

Ancestry Family Tree Search
Search for YOUR Family by Name
NOTE: If you don't know your ancestor's whole name or are unsure of the spelling, specify part of the name.Updated: 9/22/2023 9:48:08 AM