Farmers Voting House No. 2
a.k.a. RW-12
KY 801, 0.1 S of Farmers, Morehead, KY Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
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 largest non-nuclear explosion in US history occurred in 1958 in Fleming County, Kentucky, when a natural gas storage cavern exploded, killing several people and destroying nearby homes.
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.
Rowan County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey 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.