National Register Listing

Helentown Historic District

a.k.a. See Also:Patton,Robert,House;Cathedral Basilica of the Assum

Roughly bounded by Eleventh and Wheeler Sts., Chesapeake & Ohio RR, and Madison Blvd., Covington, KY
Local significance of the district:
European; Exploration/settlement; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1987.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

The first successful gold rush in the United States occurred in 1806 in Kentucky. The gold was found in the sand and gravel of the Ohio River and its tributaries.
Kentucky random facts
Kenton County, located in northern Kentucky, is rich in history and has shaped the development of the region over the centuries. The area was originally home to Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Miami, until European settlers arrived in the late 1700s. It was named after Simon Kenton, a frontiersman and one of the early pioneers of Kentucky.

In the early 1800s, Kenton County became an important transportation hub with the construction of the Covington and Lexington Turnpike, a major road connecting the two cities. This led to the growth of Covington, the county seat, as a bustling river port and industrial center. The county's location along the Ohio River also made it a strategic point during the Civil War, with both Union and Confederate forces vying for control.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Kenton County experienced significant industrial and population growth. The city of Covington was a center of manufacturing, including tobacco, machinery, and textiles. The completion of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway in 1889 further stimulated economic development, as it provided easy access to Cincinnati, just across the river.

In recent decades, Kenton County has focused on revitalizing its communities and promoting economic growth. Covington, Newport, and other cities have undergone urban renewal projects to attract businesses, tourists, and residents. Today, the county's economy is diverse, with sectors such as healthcare, education, and technology playing a major role. Kenton County continues to embrace its rich history while looking towards the future.

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

  • 1794: Kenton County is established by the State of Kentucky.
  • 1810: Covington is founded as the county seat of Kenton County.
  • 1835: The city of Covington is incorporated as a municipality.
  • 1861-1865: Kenton County residents serve in the American Civil War.
  • 1870: The Cincinnati Southern Railway is completed, connecting Covington to Cincinnati.
  • 1937: The Ohio River flood devastates Covington and other areas in Kenton County.
  • 1963: The Brent Spence Bridge, connecting Covington to Cincinnati, is opened.
  • 1970s: The development of shopping malls and suburbanization changes the landscape of Kenton County.
  • 2001: The Bank of Kentucky Center, a multi-purpose arena, is opened in Highland Heights.