Where did the State of Kentucky come from ?

At one time, Kentucky was a county located in the State of Virginia.

Several factors contributed to the desire of the residents of Kentucky County to separate from Virginia. First, traveling to the state capital was long and dangerous. Second, offensive use of local militia against Native Americans required authorization from the Governor of Virginia. Last, Virginia refused to recognize the importance of trade along the Mississippi River to Kentucky's economy. Trade with the Spanish colony of New Orleans, which controlled the mouth of the Mississippi, was forbidden.

The magnitude of these problems increased with the population of Kentucky County, leading Colonel Benjamin Logan to call a constitutional convention in Danville in 1784. Over the next six years, nine more conventions were held. During one, General James Wilkinson proposed secession from both Virginia and the United States to become a ward of Spain, but the idea was defeated. Finally, on June 1, 1792 the United States Congress accepted the Kentucky Constitution and admitted it as the 15^th state.

Fayette County was one of the original three counties formed 30 June 1780 from Virginia's Kentucky Territory. Named for the French General Marquis de LaFayette who served in the Revolutionary War, it is located in the Inner Bluegrass region of the state.

Where did the Name of Lexington come from ?

Pioneers arrived in 1774; Jacob Baughman, Hancock Taylor, Simon Kenton, James Douglas and John Floyd surveyed the area in that year. William McConnell settled in 1775 and the Bryant family in 1776. Early stations included Levi Todd's (1779) and William McGee's (1780). Robert Boggs built here in 1784 and Levi Todd in 1787. The county seat is Lexington, which was organized 5 May 1782. It was named years earlier by Captain Robert Patterson, while he was being guided through the Bluegrass by Simon Kenton. He reportedly selected the name Lexington upon hearing of the historic battle that began the American Revolution.

Lexington Settled - Due to danger of Indian attacks, permanent settlement was delayed for four years. In 1779 Colonel Robert Patterson and 25 companions came from Fort Harrod and erected a blockhouse at present Main and Mill streets. Cabins and stockade were soon built, making fort a place of importance. The town of Lexington was established on May 6, 1782, by act of Va. Gen. Assembly.

First settlement in Lexington, Kentucky was named McConnel Springs.

What do we know about the first house in Lexington, Kentucky ?

In 1784, two years after the disastrous Battle of the Blue Lick (8/19/1782), when for the first time the inhabitants of Lexington felt they dared to leave the safety of the fort to build homes outside its walls. Col. Robert Patterson, founder of Lexington, started the ball rolling in this respect when he built his log house. In 1784 the Rev. Adam Rankin, pioneer preacher who came to "the West" that year, bought this lot probably with the two-story log dwelling on it. Click here for picture of this house.