Rowan County, Kentucky
Brushy Voting House No. 6
Cranston Voting House No. 12
Farmers Voting House No. 2
Haldeman Voting House No. 8
Hayes Voting House No. 16
Hogtown Voting House No. 4
Morehead Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Freight Depot
Morehead State University
Morehead Voting House No. 10
Morehead Voting House No. 7
Pine Grove Voting House No. 5
Plank Voting House No. 15
Rowan County Courthouse
The first European settlers arrived in the late 18th century, with many of them being of Scottish and Irish descent. The county quickly grew as more pioneers settled in the region, taking advantage of the fertile land for farming and the abundant natural resources. In the early 19th century, Rowan County became an important center for agriculture, with tobacco being the primary cash crop.
The county played a significant role in the Civil War, with many residents supporting the Confederacy and joining Confederate military units. However, there were also Union sympathizers in the area, which led to a divided community. The conflict caused devastation and hardship, with widespread destruction of property and loss of life. After the war, Rowan County slowly rebuilt, focusing on agriculture and the timber industry.
In the 20th century, Rowan County experienced both economic growth and challenges. The discovery of oil and gas resources brought prosperity to the area, attracting companies to extract these resources. However, like many rural regions, the county also faced economic decline due to the changing landscape of the agricultural industry. Efforts have been made to diversify the economy and promote tourism in recent years, with outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing drawing visitors to Rowan County.
Brief timeline of the history of Rowan County, Kentucky:
- 1793: Rowan County was formed from part of Fleming County.
- 1859: The county seat was established in Morehead.
- 1861-1865: Rowan County was deeply affected by the American Civil War.
- 1889: The first train arrived in Morehead, expanding transportation options.
- 1930s: The creation of Cave Run Lake increased recreational opportunities in the area.
- 1954: Morehead State University was established, bringing higher education to the county.
- 2015: Rowan County gained national attention for a legal battle over same-sex marriage licenses.
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Rowan County, Kentucky.