Fayette County Hemp

Consistently the leader in hemp production and cordage making in Kentucky. In 1803, Hunt and Brand Co. produced first hemp bagging made in U.S. In the early 1840s the county had 63 ropewalks; they were long, narrow sheds for the spiral winding of hemp fibers. In 1871, 2,000 tons of fiber were harvested, 1/3 of yield for entire state in that year.

(Reverse) Hemp in Kentucky - First crop grown, 1775. From 1840 to 1860, Ky.'s production largest in U.S. Peak in 1850 was 40,000 tons, with value of $5,000,000. Scores of factories made twine, rope, gunny sacks, bags for cotton picking and marketing. State's largest cash crop until 1915. Market lost to imported jute, freed of tariff. As war measure, hemp grown again during World War II.