Campbell County, Kentucky

Barth, Peter, Farm Baumann House Bellevue Bellevue High School Bishoff House Blau's Four Mile House Blenk House Bonnie Leslie Historic District Braun, John, House Buena Vista Historic District Camp Spring House Campbell County Courthouse at Newport Cote Brillante Historic District Dayton High School Doyle Country Club East Newport Historic District Faha, John, House Fairfield Avenue Historic District Foote-Fister Mansion Fort Thomas Commercial District Fort Thomas Military Reservation District Grote Manufacturing Company Building (CP337) Gubser-Schuchter Farm Heiert Farm Herndon, Elijah, House Hilbert Farm Hubbard, Harlan, Studio Kort Grocery Kremer, Frederich, House Kremer, Matthias, House Kremer, Nicholas, House Leick House Mansion Hill Historic District Mansion Hill Historic District (Boundary Increase) Marianne Theater Monmouth Street Historic District Newport and Cincinnati Bridge Newport Courthouse Square Historic District Ort-Heeb Farm Posey Flats Reitman House Reitman's St.Joseph House Ritter, Andrew, Farm Robinson, E.O., House Roth Farm Sacred Heart Church Salem Methodist Episcopal Church and Parsonage Sauer, August, House Sauser Farm Seiter, Joseph, House Southgate-Parker-Maddux House St John's Lutheran Cemetery St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church St. Joseph's Catholic Church and Cemetery St. Paul's Episcopal Church St. Vincent de Paul School Taylor's Daughters Historic District Third Street Motor Car Company Building Tiemeyer House Trutschell House U.S. Army Fort Thomas Mess Hall Uebel House Walter House Weber, John, Farm Wiedemann, Charles, House York Street Historic District

Campbell County, Kentucky, is situated in the northern part of the state and has a rich and diverse history. The county was established on December 17, 1794, and was named after Colonel John Campbell, a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Initially, Campbell County encompassed a large area and included parts of present-day Kenton, Pendleton, and Boone counties.

During its early history, Campbell County saw significant development due to its prime location along the Ohio River. The county became a hub for transportation and trade, with steamboats and river barges playing a crucial role in its economic growth. The city of Newport, located within Campbell County, became a major port along the Ohio River, attracting businesses and immigrants.

In the mid-19th century, Campbell County experienced rapid industrialization, fueled by the construction of railroads and the establishment of manufacturing industries. The county became known for its ironworks, distilleries, and tobacco warehouses. Newport flourished as a bustling city, becoming a center for entertainment, nightlife, and gambling, earning it the nickname "Sin City."

However, the early 20th century brought challenges to Campbell County. Prohibition, which came into effect in 1919, dealt a blow to the county's flourishing distillery industry. Additionally, the decline of the river trade and the Great Depression impacted the region economically. In the latter half of the 20th century, Campbell County experienced a transformation, with urban development projects and initiatives for economic revival, such as the construction of the Newport on the Levee entertainment complex.

Today, Campbell County continues to evolve as a dynamic community. It is home to a diverse population and offers a mix of suburban and rural areas. The county boasts a rich cultural heritage, historical landmarks, and natural beauty, making it an attractive place to live, work, and visit.
Brief timeline of the history of Campbell County, Kentucky:

  • 1795: Campbell County is established from parts of Mason, Scott, and Harrison counties.
  • 1803: Newport, the county seat, is incorporated as a town.
  • 1823: Campbell County Courthouse is completed in Newport.
  • 1837: Burlington, another town in Campbell County, is incorporated.
  • 1861-1865: Campbell County residents actively participate in the Civil War.
  • 1889: Newport becomes a city.
  • 1895: Bellevue, Dayton, and Fort Thomas are incorporated as cities.
  • 1926: Campbell County Memorial Bridge is opened, connecting Newport and Cincinnati.
  • 1959: Interstate 471 is completed, facilitating transportation through the county.
  • 1961: Northern Kentucky University is founded in Highland Heights.
  • 1997: Campbell County Historic Preservation Board is established to protect historical sites.
  • 2018: Population of Campbell County reaches over 92,000 residents.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Campbell County, Kentucky.