Adair County Courthouse
500 Public Sq., Columbia, KYThe Adair County Courthouse has been the center of activity in this community since the county was formed in 1801. A courthouse occupied the square in the center of town since 1806. This courthouse was replaced by the present courthouse in 1886. A large number of able and well-known lawyers have practiced their profession in the courthouse at Columbia, Kentucky.
One of the more prominent attorneys was Frank Wolford, who organized the First Federal Cavalry in Kentucky in 1861. General John Hunt Morgan, a famous Confederate cavalry leader from Kentucky, suffered his first defeat at the hands of Colonel Wolford and his forces. In 1865 Wolford was sent from the "Casey-Russell" district to the state legislature and in 1867 was appointed adjutant general by Governor Stevenson. He returned to Columbia in the 1870s. In 1882 he was elected to Congress from the Fourth Congressional district and re-elected in 1884.
James R. Hindman was Captain of the 13th Kentucky Infantry, Union service, during the Civil War. In the 1870s Hindman led the fight to re-enact local options in Columbia making it the first municipality in the state to banish saloons. In 1883 Hindman was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Kentucky.
There were other prominent members of the bar of Columbia. James Garnett, Sr. was Circuit Judge of the 7th Judicial District and an organizing director of the Bank of Columbia. His son, James Garnett, Jr., served as AttorneyGeneral of Kentucky.
James F. Montgomery and his sons were members of the Columbia Bar for over seventy years. Montgomery, who studied law at Transylvania College, completed two years in one and tied with Champ Clark for top honors. Montgomery, by special act of the Kentucky Legislature, was admitted to the bar two months before his twentieth birthday. He served as Adair County representative to the Kentucky Constitutional Convention in 1890-1891. His son Gordon Montgomery was a practicing attorney of Adair County for fifty-five years and son Ray practiced law for forty-five years.
The present Adair County Courthouse has been the focal point of county government for almost 100 years. Like many county courthouses, it represents the accumulated accomplishments of several generations of local citizens.
Local significance of the building:
One of the more prominent attorneys was Frank Wolford, who organized the First Federal Cavalry in Kentucky in 1861. General John Hunt Morgan, a famous Confederate cavalry leader from Kentucky, suffered his first defeat at the hands of Colonel Wolford and his forces. In 1865 Wolford was sent from the "Casey-Russell" district to the state legislature and in 1867 was appointed adjutant general by Governor Stevenson. He returned to Columbia in the 1870s. In 1882 he was elected to Congress from the Fourth Congressional district and re-elected in 1884.
James R. Hindman was Captain of the 13th Kentucky Infantry, Union service, during the Civil War. In the 1870s Hindman led the fight to re-enact local options in Columbia making it the first municipality in the state to banish saloons. In 1883 Hindman was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State of Kentucky.
There were other prominent members of the bar of Columbia. James Garnett, Sr. was Circuit Judge of the 7th Judicial District and an organizing director of the Bank of Columbia. His son, James Garnett, Jr., served as AttorneyGeneral of Kentucky.
James F. Montgomery and his sons were members of the Columbia Bar for over seventy years. Montgomery, who studied law at Transylvania College, completed two years in one and tied with Champ Clark for top honors. Montgomery, by special act of the Kentucky Legislature, was admitted to the bar two months before his twentieth birthday. He served as Adair County representative to the Kentucky Constitutional Convention in 1890-1891. His son Gordon Montgomery was a practicing attorney of Adair County for fifty-five years and son Ray practiced law for forty-five years.
The present Adair County Courthouse has been the focal point of county government for almost 100 years. Like many county courthouses, it represents the accumulated accomplishments of several generations of local citizens.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
About National Register Listings
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.
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The first bourbon whiskey was distilled in Kentucky in the late 18th century. Today, Kentucky is known for its bourbon production and is home to many famous bourbon distilleries.
About Adair County
Adair County Timeline
Adair County, located in Kentucky, has a rich and diverse history that stretches back centuries. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Shawnee and Cherokee, who used the land for hunting and fishing.
European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, with the first permanent settlement established in 1792. The county was named after John Adair, a Revolutionary War veteran and politician who would go on to become the eighth governor of Kentucky. Adair County played a role in the War of 1812, as it was a strategic location for military movements.
During the 19th century, Adair County experienced significant growth and development. The introduction of the railroad in the mid-1800s brought increased trade and transportation opportunities to the area. Agriculture became a major industry, with tobacco and hemp being the primary crops. The county also became a hub for education, with the establishment of Adair County Schools and Lindsey Wilson College.
In the 20th century, Adair County continued to evolve. World War II brought changes to the county, as many residents served in the military, while others supported the war effort on the homefront. The post-war era saw the decline of traditional agricultural industries, leading to a shift towards manufacturing and other sectors.
Today, Adair County is a vibrant community that celebrates its history while looking towards the future. It is home to a thriving downtown area, numerous recreational opportunities, and a strong sense of community pride. The county continues to embrace its agricultural roots while also embracing new industries and opportunities for growth.
European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, with the first permanent settlement established in 1792. The county was named after John Adair, a Revolutionary War veteran and politician who would go on to become the eighth governor of Kentucky. Adair County played a role in the War of 1812, as it was a strategic location for military movements.
During the 19th century, Adair County experienced significant growth and development. The introduction of the railroad in the mid-1800s brought increased trade and transportation opportunities to the area. Agriculture became a major industry, with tobacco and hemp being the primary crops. The county also became a hub for education, with the establishment of Adair County Schools and Lindsey Wilson College.
In the 20th century, Adair County continued to evolve. World War II brought changes to the county, as many residents served in the military, while others supported the war effort on the homefront. The post-war era saw the decline of traditional agricultural industries, leading to a shift towards manufacturing and other sectors.
Today, Adair County is a vibrant community that celebrates its history while looking towards the future. It is home to a thriving downtown area, numerous recreational opportunities, and a strong sense of community pride. The county continues to embrace its agricultural roots while also embracing new industries and opportunities for growth.
Adair County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Adair County, Kentucky.
- 1801 - Adair County is established on December 11.
- 1802 - The first settlers arrive in the area.
- 1806 - The town of Columbia is founded and becomes the county seat.
- 1814 - The first courthouse is constructed in Columbia.
- 1838 - A new brick courthouse is built in Columbia.
- 1861-1865 - Adair County residents participate in the Civil War.
- 1887 - The Louisville and Nashville Railroad arrives in Columbia.
- 1931 - The Green River Lake is created by the completion of a dam.
- 1952 - A new courthouse building is constructed in Columbia.
- 1980 - The Adair County Public Library is established.
- 2009 - The Westlake Regional Hospital opens in Columbia.