|
The city traces its origin to 1775, when frontiersmen in the area got news of the first battle of the American Revolution at Lexington, Massachusetts, and named their campsite Lexington. It wasn't until four years later that the first log blockhouse was built, near what is now the corner of Main and Mill streets. In 1782, the town was officially established by the General Assembly of Virginia. ( Kentucky was a part of Virginia until 1792. )
Retail commerce and the manufacturing of such items as paper, hemp and corn products fueled the town's early, rapid growth. By 1820, Lexington, Kentucky, was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains, and so cultured was its lifestyle that it gained the nickname " Athens of the West. "
Today, Lexington is Kentucky's second largest city. The merged Lexington-Fayette County Urban Government serves a population of about 228,000 people. The Lexington metropolitian area ( Fayette County and five adjoining counties ) has a population of about 354,000.
The Bluegrass is famous for horses, tobacco, bourbon and Southern Hospitality, but an increasing variety of products and services contribute to its healthy economy and continuing growth. Higher education, typewriters and automotive manufacturing are some of the major industries of the modern Bluegrass. For visitors and residents, Lexington offers the best of today and yesterday.
You can learn more about the Bluegrass such as, Architecture, Barns, Fences, a Taste of the Bluegrass and most importantly, How to Talk Bluegrass, by clicking on the highlighted verbiage. Also, something especially for Horse Fans.
|
