Mercer County Before Kentucky Became a State
(Left panel of marker) Harrodsburg
1774-Laid off as Harrodstown by James Harrod and companions. First permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains.
1776-Virginia Legislature formed Kentucky County, the area now Commonwealth of Kentucky; named Harrodsburg seat of government.
1777-First Court held in the area.
1780-Virginia Legislature divided Kentucky County into Lincoln, Fayette and Jefferson Counties with Harrodsburg seat of Lincoln County government.
1785-Virginia Legislature formed Mercer County out of Lincoln, the area shown on map, which was the same when Kentucky became a state in 1792. Harrodsburg was continued as the county seat.
(Right panel of marker) Here was the center of organization that held the Northwest against outside attack. George Rogers Clark planned campaign of 1778. Hdqrs. of Col. John Bowman, military commander of Kentucky County, 1775 to 1780. Stations shown on map were defense against Indians.
Mercer County FIRSTS in Kentucky
1774 - Kentucky's first settlement. James Harmon's corn crop.
1775 - Rev. John Lythe's services. Dr. George Hart, physician.
1776 - Mrs. Jane Coomes' school. William Poage's plow and loom. Ann McGinty's linsey-woolsey. Wheat sown, reaped
1777 - John Cowan's census.
1782 - Capt. McMurtry's grist mill.
1783 - Horse racing. Humble's "Race Paths"; Jail; Road to Squire Boone's Station "viewed" and opened.