Ballard County Courthouse
4th and Court Sts., Wickliffe, KYThe Ballard County Courthouse, the county's symbol of government, had more attention lavished on its design than any other structure in the county. In an area that contains few surviving buildings of outstanding architectural significance, the courthouse is an exceptionally well-planned structure.
A county courthouse is meant to be imposing and its physical presence felt in a community. The Ballard County Courthouse accomplishes this through its large scale, imposing volume, well-executed detail, portico-porches, and the placement of an octagonal cupola that towers above the entire composition. The apparent architect for the building, Jerome B. Legg, had his office in St. Louis and seems to have been selected because of his design for the Mississippi County, Missouri courthouse, completed in 1900 and located directly across the river.
When Ballard County was officially formed in 1842, the town of Blandville (approximately 12 miles from present-day Wickliffe) became the official seat of government. The first courthouse was completed in 1844 at a cost of $6,000. On February 2, 1880, either by accident or otherwise, the Blandville courthouse burned. There ensued a rather heated contest which, after four years, two county elections, and a court battle that reached the Kentucky Court of Appeals, resulted in the establishment of the seat of justice in the new town of Wickliffe.
Two factors influence the 1884 decision to move the remaining county records from Blandville to Wickliffe. First, Wickliffe was a river port and a busy center of local commerce located only six miles from Cairo, Illinois, a major commercial and banking center. Second, by the 1860s and 1870s, Wickliffe was served by two railroads, Illinois Central and Mobile and Ohio. The railroads linked Wickliffe to Cairo and points north as well as to major southern centers, such as New Orleans, Mobile, and Memphis, thus stimulating Wickliffe's economy.
The county officials held their offices in the Wickliffe city hall until a new courthouse was completed. Begun in 1900, the building was completed in 1905 at a cost of $25,000.
Local significance of the building:
A county courthouse is meant to be imposing and its physical presence felt in a community. The Ballard County Courthouse accomplishes this through its large scale, imposing volume, well-executed detail, portico-porches, and the placement of an octagonal cupola that towers above the entire composition. The apparent architect for the building, Jerome B. Legg, had his office in St. Louis and seems to have been selected because of his design for the Mississippi County, Missouri courthouse, completed in 1900 and located directly across the river.
When Ballard County was officially formed in 1842, the town of Blandville (approximately 12 miles from present-day Wickliffe) became the official seat of government. The first courthouse was completed in 1844 at a cost of $6,000. On February 2, 1880, either by accident or otherwise, the Blandville courthouse burned. There ensued a rather heated contest which, after four years, two county elections, and a court battle that reached the Kentucky Court of Appeals, resulted in the establishment of the seat of justice in the new town of Wickliffe.
Two factors influence the 1884 decision to move the remaining county records from Blandville to Wickliffe. First, Wickliffe was a river port and a busy center of local commerce located only six miles from Cairo, Illinois, a major commercial and banking center. Second, by the 1860s and 1870s, Wickliffe was served by two railroads, Illinois Central and Mobile and Ohio. The railroads linked Wickliffe to Cairo and points north as well as to major southern centers, such as New Orleans, Mobile, and Memphis, thus stimulating Wickliffe's economy.
The county officials held their offices in the Wickliffe city hall until a new courthouse was completed. Begun in 1900, the building was completed in 1905 at a cost of $25,000.
Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
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.
The city of Owensboro, Kentucky, is home to the International Bluegrass Music Museum, which honors the history and culture of bluegrass music.
About Ballard County
Ballard County Timeline
Ballard County, Kentucky has a rich history dating back to the early 19th century. The region was originally inhabited by Native American tribes before European explorers arrived. In 1818, Ballard County was established and named after Capt. Bland Ballard, a Revolutionary War hero. The county's location along the Mississippi River played a crucial role in its development.
In the early years, agriculture was the primary industry in Ballard County. Farms were established to cultivate crops such as tobacco, corn, and wheat. The fertile soil and favorable climate made the county an ideal location for agricultural activities. As transportation improved with the construction of roads and river ports, the county's economy grew.
By the mid-1800s, the Mississippi River became a vital transportation route for trade and commerce. Ballard County's riverfront location allowed it to become a hub for shipping and transportation. Several river towns, such as Blandville and Wickliffe, prospered as trade centers. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further enhanced the county's connectivity and economic potential.
During the Civil War, Ballard County, like many other regions in Kentucky, experienced division and conflict. While some residents supported the Union, others sympathized with the Confederacy. Battles and skirmishes took place in the area, leading to disruptions and hardship for the local population. However, the county rebounded after the war, and agriculture and trade continued to thrive.
Today, Ballard County remains closely linked to its agricultural roots, with farming and agribusiness serving as prominent sectors. The county's strategic location along the river and its transportation network continue to support its economic growth. Historical sites, museums, and festivals celebrate the county's heritage, providing residents and visitors alike with a glimpse into its proud history.
In the early years, agriculture was the primary industry in Ballard County. Farms were established to cultivate crops such as tobacco, corn, and wheat. The fertile soil and favorable climate made the county an ideal location for agricultural activities. As transportation improved with the construction of roads and river ports, the county's economy grew.
By the mid-1800s, the Mississippi River became a vital transportation route for trade and commerce. Ballard County's riverfront location allowed it to become a hub for shipping and transportation. Several river towns, such as Blandville and Wickliffe, prospered as trade centers. The arrival of the railroad in the late 1800s further enhanced the county's connectivity and economic potential.
During the Civil War, Ballard County, like many other regions in Kentucky, experienced division and conflict. While some residents supported the Union, others sympathized with the Confederacy. Battles and skirmishes took place in the area, leading to disruptions and hardship for the local population. However, the county rebounded after the war, and agriculture and trade continued to thrive.
Today, Ballard County remains closely linked to its agricultural roots, with farming and agribusiness serving as prominent sectors. The county's strategic location along the river and its transportation network continue to support its economic growth. Historical sites, museums, and festivals celebrate the county's heritage, providing residents and visitors alike with a glimpse into its proud history.
Ballard County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Ballard County, Kentucky.
- 1822 - Ballard County is formed from parts of Hickman County and McCracken County.
- 1823 - The county is named after Captain Bland Ballard, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
- 1824 - The county seat is established in a town called Blandville.
- 1831 - The first courthouse is built in Blandville.
- 1849 - The Mississippi River floods, causing significant damage to the county.
- 1854 - The county seat is moved from Blandville to Wickliffe.
- 1861-1865 - Ballard County experiences significant disruptions during the American Civil War.
- 1915 - The county is hit by a devastating tornado, resulting in numerous casualties and severe damage.
- 1937 - The Flood of 1937 causes widespread flooding in Ballard County.
- 1966 - Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site is established to preserve Native American archaeological sites.
- 1970s - Ballard County experiences a decline in population due to economic changes and rural outmigration.
- 1997 - The Ballard County Coal Plant begins operation, bringing economic opportunities to the area.
- 2003 - The county celebrates its bicentennial.
- 2016 - Ballard County High School is named a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education.