Historical Markers in
Fayette County, Kentucky

A Founder of D.A.R. A&M College at Ashland Adolph F. Rupp (1901-77) African Cemetery No. 2 African-American Physicians Architects Shryock Aristides Ashland Ashland Ashland Park/ Olmsted Brothers Barker Hall and Buell Armory Beck House Blockhouse and Fort Boone's Creek Baptist Church Boone's Station Boone's Station Breckinridge's Last Home Bryan's Station Cave Spring Cedar Hall-Helm Place Cheapside Cheapside Slave Auction Block Christ Church Cathedral Class Competitions Clay Villa, ca. 1845 Coldstream Farm Colonel George Nicholas Colored Orphan Industrial Home Commonwealth of Kentucky v. Jeffery Wasson Daniel Boone Bryan, 1758-1845 Desegregation of UK Deweese (Dewees) St. Neighborhood Dr. Luke P. Blackburn Correctional Complex Dr. Robert Peter Early Land Grant Eastern State Hospital Ellerslie Fairlawn, ca. 1845 Fairness Ordinance Fayette County Fayette County Fountains Fayette County Hemp First Inauguration First Presbyterian Church First Race Course Florence Crittenton Home Fort Clay Garden Club of Lexington Gillis Building 1889 Glengarry Field-Cool Meadow Hampton Court Henry Clay's Law Office Historic Botherum Historic Land Historic LGBTQ Site Hunt-Morgan House James Lane Allen Jefferson Davis John Bradford John Hunt Morgan (1825-1864) Joyland Amusement Park Keeneland Kenton's Blue Hole Kentucky Kernel KET Lewis and Clark in Kentucky, George Shannon Lewis and Clark in Kentucky- William Clark in Lexington & Meriwether Lewis in Lexington Lexington Lexington Cemetery Lexington Colored Fair Association Lexington Historic Distillery District Lexington Named Lexington Public Library/ Carnegie Library Lexington's First Airport Lexington, 1850-1875 Maddoxtown Madeline M. Breckinridge Main Building Main Street Christian Church Major P. P. Johnston, CSA Man o' War Man O' War - Chestnut, 16.2 Hands Tall, Foaled 1917 by Fair Play-Mahubah, by Rock Sand Margaret I. King Library Mary Todd Lincoln Mary Todd Lincoln House Masterson's Station Matthew H. Jouett (1788-1827) Maxwell Place Memorial Hall Mentelle Park Methodism in Lexington Miller Hall 1898 Morgan House Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church Myrtle Weldon (1890-1971) Ohio Company of Virginia Old Episcopal Burying Ground Old Morrison Oldest House in Lexington Patterson Cabin Patterson Hall Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, 1922-1967 Pioneer Burying Ground Pioneer Leaders Founded Church Polk's Infirmary / Mammoth Insurance Co. Pope Villa Preston's Cave Spring Rotary Club of Lexington Samuel Boone Samuel Brown, M.D. (1769-1830) Sarah Blanding Sayre Female Institute/ David Austin Sayre School of Medicine Scovell Hall Second Presbyterian Church Silversmith Shop Site of First Kentucky Legislature South Elkhorn Christian Church St. Paul Catholic Church Stoll Field Thomas D. Clark, 1903-2005 Thomas Hunt Morgan Thomas Hunt Morgan (UK) Thomas Satterwhite Noble Todd House Town Branch Transylvania Pavilion Transylvania University U.S. President, A Day U.S. Vice President Vertner Woodson Tandy, 1885-1949 WBKY/WUKY What's in a Name? Wing Commander
The famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, has been held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville since 1875.
Kentucky random facts
Fayette County, located in the heart of central Kentucky, has a rich and vibrant history that dates back to the late 18th century. The county was established in 1780 and named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French military officer who fought alongside the American colonists during the American Revolution. Throughout its history, Fayette County has played a significant role in the development of Kentucky and the United States as a whole.

In the early years of its settlement, Fayette County became a critical hub for traders and pioneers heading westward. The city of Lexington, the county seat, quickly developed into a thriving center of commerce and education. Known as the "Athens of the West," Lexington attracted numerous intellectuals and scholars, establishing it as a leading educational and cultural center in the region.

Fayette County also played a crucial role in the growth of Kentucky's horse industry. The county's fertile bluegrass land proved ideal for raising thoroughbred horses, and Lexington became known as the "Horse Capital of the World." The area's world-renowned horse farms and racetracks have contributed significantly to the county's economy and cultural identity.

Throughout its history, Fayette County has faced challenges and experienced periods of growth and decline. It was witness to key historical events such as the American Civil War when the county was divided between Union and Confederate sympathizers. After the war, the county experienced economic growth and urban development, but also faced challenges related to racial segregation and civil rights struggles.

In recent years, Fayette County has continued to evolve and adapt to changing times. Today, it is a diverse and vibrant county, known for its cultural events, educational institutions, and beautiful landscapes. Fayette County's history serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit of its people, and it remains an important part of Kentucky's heritage.

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

  • 1775 - Daniel Boone explores the area now known as Fayette County
  • 1779 - The town of Lexington is established
  • 1780 - Fayette County is officially formed
  • 1792 - Kentucky becomes the 15th state in the United States
  • 1796 - The Transylvania University is founded in Lexington
  • 1818 - Ashland, the estate of Henry Clay, is completed
  • 1833 - Lexington and Fayette County merge governments to create the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
  • 1850s - The area becomes an important center for horse breeding and racing
  • 1862 - Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln, is born in Lexington
  • 1872 - The University of Kentucky is founded as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky
  • 1910 - The Lexington Horse Show, now known as the Kentucky Horse Park, begins
  • 1927 - The annual Keeneland Race Course opens
  • 1940s - The area experiences significant growth due to the World War II defense industry and training centers
  • 1961 - IBM establishes a major manufacturing facility in Lexington
  • 1978 - Lexington hosts the first World Equestrian Games held in the United States
  • 1999 - The Lexington Public Library opens its new central location