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Mount Washington, Kentucky

Mount Washington is a home rule-class city in northeast Bullitt County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 18,090 at the 2020 census. The city is one of several surrounding Louisville that have experienced a sharp rise in population in the past three decades, becoming a commuter town.

History
Mount Washington is located at what was once the crossroads of two stagecoach routes and was originally known as The Cross Roads. It was formally established in 1822 as Mount Vernon, after President George Washington's Virginia home, but it was unable to continue using the name because another town's post office had priority. At the time, the settlement housed c. 700 people and boasted three churches, two schools, six stores and groceries, five doctors, two taverns, and twelve mechanical trades. At the time of its (first) formal incorporation as a city in 1833, the town's name was changed to "Mount Washington", again in honor of the first United States president.

Mount Washington became the economic center of Bullitt County by the 1850s. In the autumn of 1862, during the Civil War, the town was held by John Wharton's Confederate cavalry, who skirmished with Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden's men north of Mount Washington along Floyds Fork on October 1. A defeat the following day led to a Confederate retreat from the area.

Through the nineteenth century, a two-room school building stood on the southern end of Bardstown Road (now Highway 31E), but in 1916 a new building consisting of four classrooms was built. Where the four-room classroom building once stood, now stands Mt. Washington Middle School. This building was constructed in the early 1940s as the high school. Mt. Washington Middle School had to expand and remodel in 1995 because the population was growing tremendously, and now supports over 200 classrooms and offices. Since then, another middle school had to be built on the other side of the city. That project was completed in 2006.

Mount Washington's industries aged, and by the 1930s it was no longer the most prominent town in the county. The decline continued when fire burned much of the business district on November 18, 1940. Mount Washington enjoyed an influx of new residents starting in the late 1960s with the opening of General Electric's Appliance Park nearby in Louisville. The population of Mount Washington grew from 2,020 in 1970 to over 9,000 by the 2010 census. Despite a downturn at the Appliance Park, eventually leading to the sale of GE's appliance division to Haier, Mount Washington continues as a commuter town of Louisville.

The events of the final call of the strip search phone call scam took place in Mount Washington in 2004. The local police department charged David R. Stewart with the crime, but he was acquitted in 2006.

A former mayor of Mt. Washington was a contestant on The Price Is Right, playing the Money Game and winning $185 but losing a PT Cruiser; before the game, he presented host Bob Barker with the key to the city.

Historic site
Three homes in Mt. Washington are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Of particular note is the Lloyd House, which is in the care of the Mount Washington Historical Society and is currently being renovated to become a historic house museum.

 * James M. Lloyd House
 * Henry J. Barnes House
 * Zack Stansbury House

Geography
Mount Washington is located in northeastern Bullitt County. The city of Louisville is directly to the north; the downtown is 20 mi northwest of the center of Mount Washington. U.S. Route 31E and U.S. Route 150 pass through the city, leading south 19 mi to Bardstown.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Mount Washington has a total area of 15.8 sqkm, of which 15.7 sqkm is land and 0.1 sqkm, or 0.49%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2020, there were 18,485 people, 4,111 households, and 2,945 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,588.8 PD/sqmi. There were 3,294 housing units at an average density of 616.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.26% White, 0.32% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.58% of the population.

There were 3,111 households, out of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 17.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.03.

The age distribution was 29.0% under 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 34.8% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,813, and the median income for a family was $46,507. Males had a median income of $35,439 versus $23,600 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,495. About 5.9% of families and 7.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Mount Washington is served by the Bullitt County Public Schools. There are four elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school within the city limits. A new elementary school is currently under construction.

There are no colleges or universities in Mt. Washington.

Mount Washington has a public library, a branch of the Bullitt County Public Library.

Elementary schools

 * Old Mill Elementary School
 * Mount Washington Elementary School
 * Pleasant Grove Elementary School
 * Crossroads Elementary School

Middle schools

 * Mount Washington Middle School
 * Eastside Middle School

High schools

 * Bullitt East High School

Transportation
The primary method of transportation in Mt. Washington is by road. Formerly named "The Crossroads", Kentucky Route 44 and a road signed as U.S. Route 31EX intersect in the heart of the city. A bypass through the city's east end carries the main line of U.S. Route 31E and creates a second north–south route through the town.

Fire protection
Several fire protection districts include portions of the city, including Mt Washington Fire Protection District.

Government
The current mayor of Mount Washington is Stuart Owen, who took office in January 2023. The current city administrator is Elizabeth D. Hardin.

Notable people

 * W. A. Criswell, president of the Southern Baptist Convention 1968–70
 * Marisha Ray, voice actress and producer

title: Mount Washington, Kentucky


text:
Pioneer Village, Kentucky

Pioneer Village is a home rule-class city in Bullitt County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 2,671 as of the 2020 census, up from 2,030 at the time of the 2010 census. Pioneer Village was struck by a tornado in 1996.

Geography
Pioneer Village is located in northern Bullitt County. It is bordered by the city of Hillview to the north and west, and the city of Hebron Estates is to the south. Downtown Louisville is 16 mi to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Pioneer Village has a total area of 1.9 sqkm, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,555 people, 880 households, and 746 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,186.7 PD/sqmi. There were 900 housing units at an average density of 770.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.08% White, 0.27% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.31% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 880 households, out of which 45.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.0% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.2% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.90 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 29.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 36.1% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 5.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $55,568, and the median income for a family was $56,276. Males had a median income of $36,370 versus $25,699 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,336. About 0.8% of families and 1.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Pioneer Village, Kentucky


text:
Shepherdsville, Kentucky

Shepherdsville is a home rule-class city on the Salt River in Bullitt County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the second largest city and seat of its county, located just south of Louisville. The population was 14,201 during the 2020 U.S. Census.

History
Native Americans have been shown to have lived in the area for at least 15,000 years.

The vicinity was originally known by European Americans as "Bullitt's Lick" for the salt licks discovered by surveyor Capt. Thomas Bullitt in 1773. The area was home to Kentucky's first commercial salt works. These were shuttered in the 1830s because of competition from Virginian works along the Kanawha River (now in West Virginia). Shepherdsville developed around the mill and store erected along the Salt River by Adam Shepherd, who had purchased 900 acre in the area. The city received its charter in 1793 and was designated as the county seat when Bullitt County was formed in 1796.

The first post office opened in 1806. In 1836, a mineral water spa called Paroquet Springs opened. The mineral water was believed to have medicinal properties, so people with a variety of maladies visited Shepherdsville to drink and bathe in the water. In the mid-1850s, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad's mainline was constructed nearby.

During the Civil War, the railroad bridge over the Salt River at Shepherdsville was a potential target for sabotage and was guarded by Union troops. In 1879 shortly after the formal end of Reconstruction, the Paroquet Springs hotel burned to the ground. Water from the springs continued to be bottled and sold until 1915.

The Lynching of Marie Thompson of Shepherdsville was conducted in 1904, close to the jail near Lebanon Junction.

About 50 people were killed in the Shepherdsville train wreck in late December 1917, a two-train collision that was the deadliest train wreck in Kentucky history.

Throughout most of the 20th century, Shepherdsville's economy was based on agriculture. It was a trading center for the county, and important for law and justice related to the county seat. Construction of the Kentucky Turnpike (now Interstate 65) in the 1950s stimulated residential development in the suburbs, as people who worked in Louisville could commute more easily to work. Many moved to Shepherdsville and other outlying areas to have new houses.

Geography
Shepherdsville is located on the banks of the Salt River. Downtown Louisville is 20 mi to the north via Interstate 65, and Elizabethtown is 26 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Shepherdsville has a total area of 25.8 km2, of which 25.1 km2 is land and 0.8 km2, or 3.00%, is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Shepherdsville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,334 people, 3,177 households, and 2,363 families residing in the city. The population density was 791.3 PD/sqmi. There were 3,402 housing units at an average density of 323.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.24% White, 0.92% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.74% of the population.

There were 3,177 households, out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.0% were married couples living together, 17.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.6% were non-families. 20.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.9% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 33.4% from 25 to 44, 17.4% from 45 to 64, and 8.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,103, and the median income for a family was $40,878. Males had a median income of $31,324 versus $22,871 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,519. About 13.7% of families and 15.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

According to realtor website Zillow, the average price of a home as of May 31, 2022, in Shepherdsville is $219,327.

Education
Area students attend Bullitt County Public Schools. Different sections of the city are zoned to one of the county's three regular public high schools:
 * Most of the city is served by Bullitt Central High School, located in Shepherdsville proper.
 * Bernheim Middle and Bullitt Lick Middle are the middle schools for this area.
 * Cedar Grove Elementary, Lebanon Junction Elementary, Nichols Elementary, Roby Elementary and Shepherdsville Elementary are the primary schools for this area.

 * Some northern areas are zoned to North Bullitt High School, which has a Shepherdsville postal address but is located in the city of Hebron Estates.
 * Hebron Middle and Zoneton Middle are the middle schools for this area.
 * Brooks Elementary, Freedom Elementary, Maryville Elementary and Overdale Elementary are the primary schools for this area.

 * Far eastern portions of the city are zoned to Bullitt East High School in Mount Washington.
 * Eastside Middle and Mt. Washington Middle are the middle schools for this area.
 * Crossroads Elementary, Mt. Washington Elementary, Old Mill Elementary and Pleasant Grove Elementary are the primary schools for this area.

The city also houses Riverview High School, the county district's alternative high school for at-risk students.

Shepherdsville has a public library, a branch of the Bullitt County Public Library.

Notable people

 * Rick Bolus, high school basketball scout and analyst
 * Cameron Dukes, gridiron football player, Toronto Argonauts
 * Wayne Edwards, NASCAR driver
 * Charles Kurtsinger, horse jockey, U.S. Racing Hall of Famer
 * Alexandria Mills, Miss World 2010
 * Shannon Tindle, creator of Kubo and the Two Strings.

 * Notable animal
 * GTR Patricks Vindicator, miniature horse ambassador, animal celebrity

title: Shepherdsville, Kentucky


text:
Morgantown, Kentucky

Morgantown is a home rule-class city in, and the seat of Butler County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,471 at the time of the 2020 Census.

History
The settlement may have originally been called Funkhouser Hill after Christopher Funkhouser, the local landowner who donated 60 acre of land to establish a seat for the newly formed Butler County in 1811. The etymology of the city's present name (originally written Morgan Town) is uncertain. It may have been chosen to honor a hunter named Morgan or to honor Daniel Morgan Smith, the first white child born in the town. It was incorporated as Morgantown by the state assembly in 1813, although the post office also went by the name Butler Court House during the 19th century.

Granville Allen, a member of the 17th Kentucky Infantry, was one of the first Union soldiers to die in the Civil War, in a skirmish on October 29, 1861. A monument was erected by the Granville Allen Post #93 GAR. This first skirmish between the North and South took place on the Daniel Boone Johnson property. The Johnson Cemetery is still there and is directly above the monument, which is a limestone marker cut into the side of the old Logansport road.

Morgantown has one of only two monuments in the country dedicated to soldiers of both sides who died in the Civil War. The Confederate-Union Veterans' Monument in Morgantown is located on the grounds of the county courthouse.

The city formerly had a sister city in Tatsuruhama, Japan, but that city is now part of Nanao.

Geography
Morgantown is located near the center of Butler County at 37.21944°N, -86.6925°W (37.219465, -86.692513). It is situated on the top of a bluff on the west side of the Green River.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.3 km2, of which 0.03 sqkm, or 0.49%, is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Morgantown has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,544 people, 1,051 households, and 627 families residing in the city. The population density was 754.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,148 housing units at an average density of 340.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 95.52% White, 1.10% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 2.36% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.22% of the population.

There were 1,051 households, out of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.3% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.0% under the age of 18, 11.2% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $19,912, and the median income for a family was $27,218. Males had a median income of $24,671 versus $18,594 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,100. About 24.9% of families and 27.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.0% of those under age 18 and 21.2% of those age 65 or over.

In 2010, Morgantown had the 16th-lowest median household income of all places in the United States with a population over 1,000.

Transportation

Prior to 1917, the city's primary channel of transportation was the Green River. However, in 1917, the river froze, leaving the city without supplies for two months. A subsequent period of road-building began, and in 1930, a road connecting Morgantown with Bowling Green provided an alternate conduit for commerce.

Morgantown is now served by Interstate 165 and it is along the proposed Interstate 67 corridor. Via I-165 it is 23 mi southeast to Bowling Green and 48 mi north to Owensboro on the Ohio River. Other major roads serving the city include U.S. Highway 231, Kentucky Route 70, and Kentucky Route 79. Kentucky Route 403 is a minor artery in and out of town.

The city does not have railroad service.

Education
Morgantown is home to these public schools as part of the Butler County Schools District: Morgantown also has a lending library, the Butler County Public Library.
 * North Butler Elementary
 * Morgantown Elementary
 * Butler County Middle School
 * Butler County High School

Arts and culture
Morgantown's municipal park, Charles Black City Park, is home to the annual Green River Catfish Festival held the week of July 4. The festival has been held annually since July 1980. In addition to the city park, the catfish festival also includes a catfish tournament on the Green River, where the grand prize is $2,500.

Notable people

 * William S. Taylor, 33rd Governor of Kentucky
 * John Moore, bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South
 * Keith Butler, pitcher, St. Louis Cardinals organization
 * Tyler Reed (swimmer)

title: Morgantown, Kentucky


text:
Rochester, Kentucky

Rochester is a home rule-class city in Butler County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Green and Mud rivers. The population was 114 as of the 2020 Census

History
Rochester is rooted in an early pioneer settlement known as "The Mouth" for its strategic location at the confluence of the Green and Mud rivers. In the early 19th century, an early settler named Thomas Riddick platted a town at this location known as "Suffolk" on his father's Revolutionary War land grant, though the town was not successful. The city was established in the 1830s and incorporated in 1839. It is named for Rochester, New York. There is a connection to Rochester, New York, but it is not named "for" it. Documentation of the Rochester family, in a book “The House of Rochester in Kentucky” by Mrs. Agatha Rochester Strange published in/around 1889, indicates that Rochester, KY was settled by William Strother Lewis McDowell (b. Jun 24, 1819) thanks to the dedication and management from his mother,  Nancy “Ann” Jordan Rochester (1797–1856).

Geography
Rochester is located in western Butler County at 37.21083°N, -86.8925°W (37.210712, -86.892483). Its northwestern boundary, the Green River, is the county boundary as well, with Ohio County on the opposite side of the river. A small portion of the western boundary of the city is formed by the Mud River, which is also the boundary with Muhlenberg County. Kentucky Route 70 (Rochester Road) passes through the city, leading east 14 mi to Morgantown, the Butler County seat, and west 10 mi to Drakesboro. Kentucky Route 369 leaves Rochester to the north, crossing the Green River by the Rochester Ferry and leading north 14 mi to Beaver Dam.

Rochester Dam is located along the Green River just west of Rochester.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Rochester has a total area of 1.3 km2, of which 0.07 km2, or 5.46%, is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 186 people, 81 households, and 57 families residing in the city. The population density was 423.6 PD/sqmi. There were 102 housing units at an average density of 232.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 81 households, out of which 23.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.6% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 18.3% from 25 to 44, 32.8% from 45 to 64, and 22.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 49 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $31,250, and the median income for a family was $33,472. Males had a median income of $36,563 versus $16,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,708. About 9.0% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including none of those under the age of eighteen and 13.3% of those 65 or over.

title: Rochester, Kentucky


text:
Woodbury, Kentucky

Woodbury is a home rule-class city in Butler County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 90 at the 2010 census.

History
Woodbury was incorporated in 1856.

Geography
Woodbury is located in southeastern Butler County at 37.18332°N, -86.63659°W. It is situated on the west bank of the Green River. Morgantown, the Butler County seat, is 4 mi to the northwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Woodbury has a total area of 0.37 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 87 people, 35 households, and 26 families residing in the city. The population density was 731.3 PD/sqmi. There were 36 housing units at an average density of 302.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.30% of the population.

There were 35 households, out of which 34.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.6% were married couples living together, 5.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 25.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 37.9% from 25 to 44, 26.4% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,750, and the median income for a family was $45,000. Males had a median income of $38,333 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,564. There were 7.1% of families and 11.1% of the population living below the poverty line, including 16.0% of under eighteens and 50.0% of those over 64.

Notable person

 * Claude C. Bloch, admiral who commanded the local Naval District at Pearl Harbor at the time of the Japanese attack during World War II

title: Woodbury, Kentucky


text:
Fredonia, Kentucky

Fredonia is a home rule-class city in Caldwell County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 401 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Fredonia is located in western Caldwell County at 37.20917°N, -88.05889°W (37.209111, -88.058850). U.S. Route 641 passes through the town, leading north 9 mi to Marion and south 9 mi to Eddyville near Interstates 24 and 69. Ky. 91 connects Fredonia to the county seat of Princeton 19 mi to the southeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 km2, all land.

History
The village is said to have been laid out in 1836. The name "Fredonia" was a popular one in America in the early 19th century after its use was popularized by Samuel L. Mitchill of New York, but local tradition holds that the Kentucky town was named for the daughter of town founder Harvey W. Bigham. It was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1869.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 420 people, 177 households, and 132 families residing in the city. The population density was 642.5 PD/sqmi. There were 206 housing units at an average density of 315.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.19% White, 3.57% African American, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.48% of the population.

There were 177 households, out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 10.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.4% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $35,893, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $35,000 versus $21,429 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,865. About 9.2% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

title: Fredonia, Kentucky


text:
Princeton, Kentucky

Princeton is a home rule-class city in Caldwell County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 6,329 during the 2010 U.S. Census. Princeton is home to several notable attractions such as Adsmore Museum, Champion-Shepherdson House (home of the Princeton Art Guild), University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical Garden, and the Annual Black Patch Festival.

History
The community at the head of Eddy Creek was first called Eddy Grove for the creek's source at a large whirling spring. 1700 acre of surrounding land was granted to the Virginian William Prince for his service during the American Revolution. He settled there in what was then Livingston County in 1799 and erected Shandy Hall, a brick home and tavern. Prince's heirs and another local landowner named Thomas Frazier granted 40 acre around Eddy Grove and Prince's Place towards the establishment of a new town in 1817, provided the courthouse of the newly formed Caldwell County was relocated there from Eddyville. The county court accepted the proposal in July and named the new community Princetown, which shortened to Princeton by the time of the Eddy Grove.

Construction of Princeton College began in 1860 but was delayed by the commencement of the Civil War. Confederate troops camped on its campus in 1861, using one of the buildings as a hospital when the area came under Confederate control. Following the Confederate retreat in early 1862, Union soldiers occupied the town for the remainder of the war. In December 1864, Confederate-allied Kentuckian cavalry under Gen. Hylan B. Lyon raided the town and razed the courthouse, which was serving as a Union garrison.

The expansion of railroads in the late 19th century made Princeton an important junction on several major railway lines, most notably the Illinois Central and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. Princeton was also at the center of the Black Patch Tobacco Wars that occurred after the turn of the 20th century.

Since 1925, Princeton has housed the University of Kentucky Research and Education Center, a campus of the University of Kentucky's College of Agriculture.

2021 tornado
A large, violent, and historic tornado tracked through the southern part of Princeton during the late evening hours of December 10, 2021. The tornado traveled about 165.6 miles, forming in northwestern Obion County, Tennessee, and reaching EF4 strength on many occasions along its path, before dissipating in Grayson County, Kentucky. Almost 70 homes were demolished in or near Princeton. Many of the homes damaged or destroyed surrounded the Princeton Golf and Country Club, which now hosts a landfill of approximately 60 homes.

Geography
Princeton is located slightly southwest of the center of Caldwell County at 37.10778°N, -87.8825°W (37.107674, -87.882479). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.3 km2, of which 0.06 sqkm, or 0.26%, is water.

U.S. Route 62 (Kentucky) passes through the city center, leading east 12 mi to Dawson Springs and west 12 mi to Eddyville. Interstate 69 runs along the northern edge of Princeton, with access from exits 79 (Kentucky Route 91) and 81 (KY 293). KY 91 runs northwest from Princeton 22 mi to Marion and southeast 28 mi to Hopkinsville.

Hays Spring, located on Hayes Spring Road west of the city limits, is a natural spring that once supplied the water to the Princeton area.

Princeton was a prime viewing spot for the total solar eclipse of August 21, 2017. This eclipse was viewable across the United States, with its maximum peak in Princeton, where totality lasted 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Princeton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Night Riders and Black Patch Festival

Rich in Southern culture much like the rest of Western Kentucky. Every September, Princeton hosts the Black Patch Festival in its historic downtown. Up to 65 booths feature a variety of festival foods, games and activities. One of the highlights of the Black Patch Festival each year is the gospel concert held at the Princeton First Baptist Church.

The festival is named after the unique variety of "Black Patch" tobacco grown in the surrounding areas of western Kentucky and northwest Tennessee. Tobacco was at the center of one of the largest civil uprisings in American history.

By the start of the 20th century, an agricultural boom in dark leaf tobacco had made Caldwell County, along with Christian County, a major tobacco growing area. However, the monopolization of the tobacco market by James B. Duke left many farmers in debt. A vigilante force called the Night Riders was formed to combat the Duke monopoly and terrorized those who cooperated with the tobacco company by destroying crops, burning warehouses, and even physical intimidation.

On December 1, 1906, the Night Riders raided Princeton and burned the largest tobacco factories in the world.

Big Springs
This large, natural spring flows from a cave located in the heart of downtown Princeton. The town's founder chose to build his home above the spring and established a sawmill close by. Ancient trails used by animals and early Indians, and later by stagecoaches and pioneers, all met at the spring. They led to the major rivers of the area, the Cumberland and the Ohio.

During the Cherokee removal of 1838–39, the Native Americans were to be moved west on steamboats. However, a severe drought in the summer of 1838 made river travel all but impossible. With thousands of people, plus a large number of horses, wagons, and other livestock, water was of the utmost importance for survival. Eleven of the 13 Ross detachments came through Princeton on their way to the Ohio River and stopped at Big Spring.

Big Spring Park, a certified site, is owned by the City of Princeton and is accessible to visitors.

Adsmore Museum
Adsmore is a living history museum located on North Jefferson Street in Princeton. It is the only living home museum in Kentucky. Its name is believed to be derived from numerous additions and renovations over 150 years.

Adsmore reflects the lifestyle of the prominent Smith-Garrett family at the close of the "Golden Age". Tours center on events which took place in the lives of John Parker Smith and Nancy Bond Kevil Smith and their five children: Mayme, Kate, Shell, James Urey (Did) and Selina. Different "seasons" are presented throughout the year to reflect the events of the Smith-Garrett family throughout the years as well as holidays. These different settings include Christmas, Easter, the Black Patch War and weddings and engagements.

Eddie Pennington Festival
Princeton is home to the annual Pennington Folk Festival, hosted each summer on the grounds of the Old Butler High School by the Princeton Art Guild. Started in 1997, the Pennington Festival has been a staple music event for western Kentucky, honoring the town's own Eddie Pennington for his contributions to folk music and Kentucky's own thumbpicking guitar style. Pennington, a nationally recognized musician, continues the tradition of "thumbpicking" popularized by Merle Travis and further developed by instrumentalists such as Chet Atkins.

Col. Bill Newsom's Aged Kentucky Country Ham
Newsom's Old Mill Store and Col. Bill Newsom's Aged Country Hams are owned and operated by Nancy Newsom Mahaffey, "the Ham Lady". Newsom's was established January 1, 1917, by H.C. Newsom, Nancy's grandfather.

Newsom's ham was honored to participate in the 5th World Congress of Dry Cured Hams in Aracena, Spain, in May 2009, and a two-year-old Newsom's ham was encased for continuing display in the Jamon Museum there, the only ham in the United States of America to be invited. Newsom's ham was also served at the Kentucky Ball during the 2008 Presidential Inauguration.

Capitol Cinemas
The original theater on this site was the Savoy Theater. It burned to the ground in 1937. The Capitol Cinemas was built on the same site and opened in 1939. The Capitol was re-opened in 1996 and has been in continuous operation since that time. It is the only restored Art Deco theatre in a small community that shows current movies on three screens.

Capitol Cinemas runs first-run films and holds special events for school, church and community events.

Historic Downtown and Let's Paint the Town!
Efforts were organized in 2006 to bring the community on board with plans for a "new look" to the downtown historic district. It was emphasized that with community participation, donated funds and volunteer labor, Princeton's downtown could be transformed.

In 2008 the Kentucky Heritage Council honored the town with the Ida Lee Willis Memorial Foundation's Preservation Award "in recognition of the significant accomplishment involving the preservation and historic restoration through increased awareness and civic involvement" for "Let's Paint the Town!". At the invitation of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, "Let's Paint the Town!" was honored to present its success to the nation in Chicago (2009) and Oklahoma City (2010) at the National Main Streets Conference.

Economy
TreeHouse Foods is a major employer in Princeton. Agriculture, tourism and retail are also significant sectors of the economy.

The University of Kentucky Research and Education Center Botanical Garden is stationed in Princeton. The original 400 acre of land were donated by the citizens of Caldwell County, who raised funds by public subscription for the purchase. Formal ceremonies were held September 7, 1925, for dedication of the Substation to "scientific agriculture and a better Kentucky." With an initial staff of one, early program emphasis was placed on rebuilding the depleted cropland areas and applying conservation practices to the badly eroded steeper land. Experimental work on liming, fertilizer application, and use of improved seeding mixtures was begun and structures for crop and animal production research were added. Outstanding livestock herds were established and research with pastures, grain crops, tobacco, fruits, and vegetables was expanded.

In 2012, Princeton voted to allow alcohol sales within city limits. Alcohol sales had been illegal since Prohibition.

Education
The Caldwell County Schools system administers primary, elementary, middle and high schools. It also runs a vocational school that offers programs in carpentry, agriculture, automotive technology and health services.

Caldwell County High School is home to the 1998 Class AA high school football champions. Caldwell County High School also won a state championship in football in 1963.

Princeton has a public library, the George Coon Public Library.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 6,536 people, 2,810 households, and 1,798 families residing in the city. The population density was 716.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,150 housing units at an average density of 345.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.20% White, 9.01% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.64% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 2,810 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.3% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.6% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 25.2% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,654, and the median income for a family was $33,895. Males had a median income of $31,935 versus $21,152 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,873. About 14.2% of families and 18.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 17.8% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * David Alexander, president of Pomona College and Rhodes Scholarship administrator, grew up in Princeton
 * James Ford, civic leader, businessman, and criminal gang leader in western Kentucky.
 * J. D. Grey, Southern Baptist, clergyman.
 * Charles Lisanby, pioneer in color television, 2010 inductee in Television Academy Hall of Fame.
 * Rodney H. Mabry, third president of The University of Texas at Tyler for 18 years (retired, 2016)
 * Greg Smith, retired professional basketball player for the Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association, born in Princeton.
 * Mabel Stark, one of the first woman tiger tamers with Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus and with Al Barnes Circus in the early 1900s; spent her early life in Princeton as Mary Haynie.
 * Emma Talley, golfer who won the 2013 U.S. Women's Amateur and the 2015 NCAA Women's Golf title. She was born in nearby Paducah, Kentucky, but raised in Princeton.
 * Martha Nelson Thomas, creator of "Doll Babies," later plagiarized as Cabbage Patch Kids, born in Princeton.
 * Malachi Thompson, jazz trumpeter born in Princeton.
 * Bross Townsend, jazz and blues pianist born in Princeton.
 * Ada Henry Van Pelt, editor and inventor, born in Princeton.
 * John D. Watkins, Louisiana judge, state senator, district attorney, graduate of Cumberland College in Princeton

title: Princeton, Kentucky


text:
Hazel, Kentucky

Hazel is a home rule-class city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 410 at the 2010 census.

Geography
Hazel is located in southern Calloway County at 36.50472°N, -88.32556°W (36.504658, −88.325443). It is north of Paris, Tennessee, and south of Murray on the Tennessee-Kentucky border.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.96 km2, all land.

History
The town was founded as a stop on the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway in 1890. The first post office was established the same year. The origins of its name are unclear: it may have derived from local hazel shrubs or from a supposed daughter of either a railroad conductor or the first postmaster.

The city was formally incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1911.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 440 people, 197 households, and 121 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,160.3 PD/sqmi. There were 223 housing units at an average density of 588.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 92.73% White, 7.05% African American, and 0.23% from two or more races.

There were 197 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.2% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 20.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $28,289, and the median income for a family was $33,500. Males had a median income of $26,771 versus $17,292 for females. The per capita income for the city was $13,689. About 9.8% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.8% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.

Culture
In Hazel, antique shops dot Main Street along with other shops and a small café. The town's yearly fall Hazel celebration, "Hazel Day", is now held in early October.

Notable people

 * Childhood home of Florida politician O. L. Burton.
 * Birthplace of 1960s singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon.
 * Birthplace of philanthropist Ella Florence Fondren.

title: Hazel, Kentucky


text:
Murray, Kentucky

Murray is a home rule-class city in Calloway County, Kentucky, United States. It is the seat of Calloway County and the 19th-largest city in Kentucky. The city's population was 17,741 during the 2010 U.S. census, and its micropolitan area's population is 37,191. Murray is a college town and is the home of Murray State University.

Early history
The city now known as Murray began as a post office and trading center sometime in the early 1820s. It was at first called “Williston” in honor of James Willis, an early settler. Later, the name was changed to “Pooltown” after Robert Pool, a local merchant. The name was changed again to “Pleasant Springs” before its incorporation on January 17, 1844, when the present name was adopted to honor Rep. John Murray.

Murray was not the first county seat, which was at Wadesboro. Calloway County was then much larger than today. In 1842, however, the state legislature divided the area, creating Marshall County. It was felt that a more centrally located county seat was needed, and as the village of Murray was at the geographic center, it was chosen. A new courthouse was built along with a jail, and the town Murray was laid out on an 80 acre plot subdivided into 137 business and residential lots divided by eight streets.

The Civil War era
Kentucky did not officially secede from the Union at the start during the Civil War, instead declaring its neutrality, but both Murray and Calloway County were strongly pro-Confederate. Calloway County was one of the counties that sent a delegate to the Russellville Convention signing an Ordinance of Secession in which the Confederate government of Kentucky was formed and Kentucky was admitted into the Confederacy on December 10, 1861, with Bowling Green as the first capital. This region fell under Confederate control early in the war. No major battles were fought near the town, but guerrilla warfare sometimes took place nearby. In the spring of 1862, a Union force stationed in Paducah marched across the county to the Tennessee River, taking anything it wanted from the inhabitants without paying. Also, parts of Murray were burned on several occasions. Once, part of the town was burned by the Union Army in retaliation for its presumed support for the Confederate guerrillas. A diary kept by Josh Ellison of Murray tells that one night during the winter of 1864–65, a detachment of Union soldiers from Paducah torched every building on the east side of the court square, and three days later burned all those north of the square.

An estimated 800 men from the area joined in the Confederate Army, either as infantry in the Kentucky Orphan Brigade or in the cavalry. About 200 sided with the Union. Calloway County's Confederate veterans are honored by a monument on the northeast side of the court house square. The Confederate Monument was donated by the United Daughters of the Confederacy and has been subject to calls for removal most recently in 2020. The courthouse grounds on which the statue stands belongs to Calloway County and the County Court voted unanimously in 2020 to keep the statue rather than relocate it from courthouse grounds.

Demographics and geography
Murray is located at 36.60944°N, -88.31556°W (36.609494, −88.315656), 7 mi north of the Tennessee border. Benton is 19 mi to the north, and Mayfield is 24 mi to the northwest.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 29.2 km2, of which 0.75 sqkm, or 0.26%, is water.

Murray is situated 15 mi west of the 170000 acre of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, which offers hiking, elk and bison viewing, birding, 1850s historic buildings, a planetarium, a nature center, off-highway vehicle riding, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and a large wildlife population.

Climate
Murray has a humid subtropical climate and four distinct seasons. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average high temperature of 90 °F (32 °C). The coldest month is January, with an average high temperature of 45 °F.

Tornadoes and storms
Murray has had several tornadoes and storms in recent years and has been the site of two F4 tornadoes. On February 5, 2008, Kentucky and surrounding states were subject to many violent tornadoes with some of them in Western Kentucky. On June 30, 2009, a violent storm with winds of up to 90 mph ravaged trees and damaged buildings. On July 4, 2009, another tornado outbreak in Western Kentucky interrupted Independence Day celebrations throughout the region.

Cityscape
The architecture of Murray preserves its history throughout many of its downtown businesses. A commemoration was held on October 28, 2014, for the 150th Civil War anniversary of Fort Heiman in New Concord, Kentucky, which became a National Battlefield on October 30, 2006.

Census data
As of the census of 2000, there were 14,950 people, 6,004 households, and 2,869 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,541.5 PD/sqmi. There were 6,622 housing units at an average density of 682.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.16% White, 6.80% African American, 0.21% Native American, 2.75% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.73% of the population.

There were 6,004 households, out of which 19.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.2% were non-families. 39.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.02 and the average family size was 2.70.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 13.6% under the age of 18, 33.7% from 18 to 24, 20.7% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 16.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females, there were 86.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,647, and the median income for a family was $41,331. Males had a median income of $30,266 versus $22,294 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,389. About 11.2% of families and 22.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Religion
The city of Murray is host to 75 religious assemblies within the surrounding area. Baptists are the most prominent faith in Murray, with 28 assemblies within the area.

Museums and galleries

The Clara M. Eagle Gallery is a multi-level art gallery that houses around 1,200 permanent artworks. The gallery has also been home to temporary shows, featuring contemporary art, African art, woodworking, and tapestries from Spain. The galleries have about 8300 sqft of show space.

The Wrather West Kentucky Museum is located in the first building constructed on the campus of Murray State University and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum, which is free to the public, highlights the social development, economic and cultural development of the people of the Jackson Purchase region of Kentucky through permanent and changing exhibits.

Parks
Murray has three city parks that cover over 200 acre of land: Central Park, Chestnut Park, and Bee Creek. A three-pool community swimming complex and Owens Spray Park are housed in Murray's Central Park. The parks feature 17 soccer fields, two basketball courts, five playgrounds, nine baseball and softball fields, four-bay batting cages, Lions Club Skate Park, and a three-mile (5 km) nature walking trail. The parks have nine covered picnic pavilions for family gatherings, the Murray Rotary amphitheater and west Kentucky's first dog park. The park features an 18-hole 5200 ft disc golf course that was the first one of its kind in the area.

Playhouse in the Park

Playhouse in the Park is one of the oldest community theatres in the state of Kentucky. The theatre is located in Murray's Central Park and is housed in a 1907 train and freight depot. The playhouse is open year-round and produces original works, comedies, dramas, children's theatre, and musicals. On May 16, 2008, former President Bill Clinton made an appearance at Playhouse in the Park to speak about his wife's (Hillary Clinton) presidency campaign.

Sports

College athletics are the sporting events of choice in the Murray area. Murray State University participates in NCAA Division I athletics, the highest level of collegiate athletics. The university has 16 athletic programs that compete in the Ohio Valley Conference, and have provided 117 conference titles since 1948. The most popular sport at Murray State is the men's basketball program. It is one of the winningest programs in NCAA history, with over 1,300 wins and an all-time winning percentage of .637, which places Murray State 20th best in NCAA history. Murray State has won 23 regular season Ohio Valley Conference titles and 15 OVC Tournament titles, which is the best in the OVC.

The men's basketball program has produced a number of NBA players, most notably Ja Morant, Jeff Martin, Popeye Jones, Isaiah Canaan, Cameron Payne, and Joe Fulks, who is a Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and has been credited with being one of the pioneers of the jump shot. The Murray State men's basketball program is currently coached by Steve Prohm, while past coaches include Matt McMahon, Billy Kennedy, and Mick Cronin.

The Murray State football program has won eight Ohio Valley Conference titles and has produced 17 NFL players. Even more well-known are the coaches the football program has produced. Ralph Friedgen, Frank Beamer, Mike Gottfried, Houston Nutt, and Ron Zook have all had their coaching careers run through the Murray State football program. Ten players have been selected as first team All-Americans, and 21 have been second, third, and honorable mention All-Americans. The Murray State football program has won more than 400 games, the most decisive win coming in 1932 when Murray State beat the University of Louisville 105–0.

Cinema
Murray has two movie theaters. The Cheri Theater has seven screens and shows nothing but first-run films. The Cheri was started in 1967 as a single-screen theater with seating for 600. There have been many additions and renovations throughout the years, and in 1997, two 290-stadium seat auditoriums were added. In 2008, the theater upgraded its projectors to take advantage of Dolby 3D technology.

The Curris Center Theater hosts Cinema International. The program is run through the department of modern languages at Murray State and is open, free of charge, to students and the public. Cinema International is open most weekends during regular university semesters. Around 18 shows per year showcase every film genre by directors around the world.

Education
The Murray Independent School system has been a part of the community since 1872, when the first public school was built in the center of town. Murray's school system has an enrollment of over 1,800 students. There have been 35 National Merit Finalists since 1974. In 2006, the Murray High School test scores were ranked as being 9th in the state of Kentucky. Standard & Poor's recognized the Murray Independent school district as being one of only 18 Kentucky school districts as an outperforming school district. The athletic program competes in Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Class AA in football and class A in cross-country, and track, the only three sports in which the KHSAA divides schools into classes by enrollment. Other sports, most notably basketball, are conducted in a single-class format. The school system also covers numerous extracurricular activities, from band, arts, social clubs, and an academic team.

The Calloway County School District has an enrollment of 3,200 students that are located in Calloway County Preschool, three elementary schools, Calloway County Middle School, and Calloway County High School. The Calloway County Lakers participate in KHSAA sports such as football, basketball, baseball, softball, tennis, wrestling, cross-country, track and field, bass fishing, and trap shooting. Additionally, Calloway County students participate in several extracurricular activities, including state-renowned chapters of academic team, Future Business Leaders of America, FFA, and Robotics. In 2022, Calloway County High School won the state competition in Future Problem Solving, while in 2023, Calloway County Middle School placed second in the state in Quick Recall, a buzzer-style competition within academic team.

Students from both Murray High School and Calloway County High School can attend the Murray/Calloway County Area Technology Center, where students can take classes in automotive technology, carpentry, culinary arts, electrical skills, machine tool technology, nursing, and welding.

Students from northern and western Murray attend schools in the Calloway County School District, while those from the rest of the city attend the Murray Independent school district.

Higher education
Murray is the home of Murray State University, a four-year public university. It was founded in 1922 as the Murray Normal School. The university today offers 11 associate, 64 bachelor, and 42 master's programs, and has an enrollment of over 10,000 students. Murray State University is led by President Dr. Bob Jackson.

Public library
Murray has a lending library, the Calloway County Public Library.

Media
The only daily newspaper in the city of Murray is the Murray Ledger & Times. The Ledger was established in 1879 and has remained locally operated. It is printed six days per week and has a city/county circulation of around 7,200 papers per day. The Ledger also has many out-of-city readers who receive it via mail. The Murray State News is a weekly, award-winning student produced newspaper that has become popular not only with students, but with regular citizens of Murray. The paper features everything from campus news, sports, activities, and opinions.

There are four radio stations with buildings in Murray, although the city can receive 25 different FM signals.

Murray has one television station: WKMU 21, the local transmitter for the statewide KET public television network. Other major network stations available in Murray are:

 * WSIL 3 – Harrisburg, ABC
 * WPSD 6 – Paducah, NBC
 * KBSI 23 – Cape Girardeau, FOX

Roads

 * US 641.svg US 641, locally known as 12th Street, is the main highway in and out of the city. It connects with Interstate 69 to the north, and Interstate 40 to the south. The four-lane US 641 north of Murray is heavily traveled and can see well over 25,000 cars per day within Murray. Currently, US 641 from the south of Murray is a two-lane highway until it reaches the Tennessee state line. However, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has made plans in its six-year highway plan to widen the highway to four lanes. The current two-lane version has become too saturated, due to the high number of citizens of Tennessee who come to Murray to save on sales tax and the large number of Murray residents who had to travel to Tennessee to buy packaged alcohol before the city voted fully wet in July 2012.
 * Elongated circle 80.svg Kentucky 80 is the newest divided highway. The highway links Columbus, Kentucky, to the Virginia border and passes just north of Murray. The highway is expected to increase tourism and industry in the Murray area.
 * Elongated circle 94.svg Kentucky 94, locally known as Main Street, is the main east–west road that runs directly through Murray. It connects to U.S. 45 in the west at Water Valley, and to Kentucky 80 in the east near Aurora.
 * Elongated circle 121.svg Kentucky 121, locally known as 4th Street, is another highway that runs through Murray. It connects to Kentucky 80 in the west and Tennessee 119 at the Tennessee border in the east.

Other road projects in Murray are to include the widening of Kentucky 121 through the city of Murray. Over 12,000 cars travel that stretch of road per day. There are also a downtown loop and four-lane bypass in the works to help relieve traffic congestion within the city.

Airport
The airport in Murray is the Murray-Calloway County Airport. The airport, known as Kyle-Oakley Field, is a general aviation airport that features a 24-hour terminal and has a runway dimension of 6,200'x 100' and can handle up to a 60000 lb dual-wheel aircraft. The IATA airport code for Kyle-Oakley Field is CEY.

MCTA
The Murray Calloway Transit Authority recently started the "Racer Routes" service which provides four public bus routes throughout Murray. It also has services for those who do not have a vehicle.

Rail
The KWT Railway starts one mile (1.6 km) north of Murray and travels south to Bruceton, Tennessee, where it connects with CSX railway that travels to Memphis and beyond.

Utilities
Electric service in the city of Murray is provided by the Murray Electric System. The electric system is locally owned and governed and gets all of its energy from the Tennessee Valley Authority. In turn, electric customers in Murray enjoy one of the lowest electric rates in the United States. The cost is around 7.2 cents per kilowatt hour. In recent years, MES has branched out into telecommunications. It offers internet service with speeds of up to 12 Mbit/s, home telephone service, and digital cable television service.

Natural gas and water service falls under the city of Murray's Public Works department. The natural gas service has roughly 5,500 customers, in which 1300000 cuft is used per year. The water system treats 1.3 billion gallons of water per year going through 105 mi of water main piping. The current treatment plant was built in 1992 with a capacity of 7 million gallons per day. At current, the plant treats 3.6 million gallons per day. The Murray sewer treatment plant treats 4 million gallons of sewage per day and is connected with 122 mi of sanitary sewer piping.

Notable people

 * Timothy D. Adams, former United States Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs; former Chief of Staff, United States Secretary of the Treasury; current President and CEO, Institute of International Finance (IIF)
 * Shane Andrus, football player
 * Leigh-Allyn Baker, actress
 * Cleanth Brooks, literary critic
 * W. Earl Brown, actor
 * Joe Buck, musician
 * Gordon Cooper, astronaut
 * Jerry Crutchfield, country and music producer
 * Rod Ferrell, murderer
 * S.G. Goodman, singer-songwriter
 * Gene Graham, recipient of Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting in 1962
 * Dustin Howard, professional wrestler, known under the ring name Chuck Taylor
 * T. R. M. Howard, surgeon, civil rights leader, and entrepreneur
 * Rebbie Jackson, singer, eldest sibling of Michael Jackson
 * Billy Lane Lauffer, Medal of Honor recipient
 * Ora Kress Mason, nurse and physician who founded and owned Mason Memorial Hospital
 * Tim Masthay, football player
 * Edward Craig Morris, curator, American Museum of Natural History
 * Seth Morrison, skier
 * Forrest Pogue, historian
 * Mel Purcell, professional tennis player
 * Molly Sims, model and actress
 * Nathan B. Stubblefield, inventor
 * Hawk Taylor, baseball player
 * Chris Thile, mandolinist, singer, and songwriter, and host of Live from Here

title: Murray, Kentucky


text:
Alexandria, Kentucky

Alexandria is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. Along with Newport, it is one of the dual seats of the county. The population was 10,341 at the 2020 census.

History
It is believed that the area that is now Alexandria was first settled by Frank Spilman and his family c. 1793. The Spilman family was from King George County, Virginia, and they may have named their settlement after Alexandria, Virginia. The family had begun developing and selling lots in the settlement by 1819, the year the first post office was established. On February 22, 1834, Alexandria was formally established by an act of the state assembly.

When the Kentucky General Assembly formed Kenton County from part of Campbell County in 1840, they moved Campbell's county seat from Newport to Alexandria, which was closer to the center of the redrawn county. The citizens of Alexandria quickly constructed a county courthouse but, because the majority of the county's population lived in Newport, the move was not a popular one and it took a court order and a visit from the sheriff to get the county clerk to move.

The city of Alexandria was formally incorporated by act of the state assembly in 1856.

In 1883, Newport successfully lobbied for its own Court House District, allowing it to retain a Court House Commission with taxing authority and various county offices in addition to those maintained at Alexandria. A new courthouse was established in Newport in 1884, and the county's fiscal court and judicial offices operated out of this while other administrative offices remained in Alexandria. Nonetheless, the county was not dual seated until 2010.

Pro wrestler B. J. Whitmer resides in Alexandria.

Geography
Alexandria is located near the geographic center of Campbell County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 18.0 km2, of which 17.9 km2 is land and 0.1 km2, or 0.05%, is water. The city is 14 mi south of Cincinnati, Ohio, on U.S. Route 27. Kentucky Route 9, a four-lane limited access highway, follows the northeastern boundary of Alexandria and leads 47 mi southeast to Maysville.

Transportation
The second oldest road established in Kentucky was the Old State Road, from Newport to Winchester, through Alexandria, Falmouth, Cynthiana, and Paris. This road was established by an act of the Kentucky Legislature in 1836. County residents formed the Newport and Alexandria Turnpike Company to improve the road; the improved turnpike opened in 1856 under the name Alexandria Pike. The road was financed by toll booths, two of which were located in Alexandria. Desiring a free road to the markets in the county, the county government purchased the road in 1921 and made it part of U.S. Route 27.

Because Alexandria does not lie immediately along the Ohio River, its growth has been limited compared to nearby cities that lie along the river.

Climate
Alexandria is located at the extreme northern limit of the humid subtropical climate of the Southeastern United States and at the extreme southern limit of the humid continental climate of the Great Lakes region; Alexandria is situated in a climatic transition zone and is influenced by both of these climates. Rolling hills, valleys, and some urban heat effects from the nearby metropolitan areas of Cincinnati, Covington, and Newport are moderating factors to the overall climate of Alexandria.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,286 people, 2,884 households, and 2,275 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,538.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,989 housing units at an average density of 555.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.82% White, 0.02% African American, 0.02% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.34% from other races, and 0.34% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.76% of the population.

There were 2,884 households, out of which 44.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.2% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.1% were non-families. 18.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.29.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 8.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $83,923 and the median income for a family was $62,392. Males had a median income of $42,002 versus $30,766 for females. The per capita income for the city was $31,819. About 2.5% of families and 4.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Residents are within the Campbell County School District. Residents are zoned to Campbell County High School in Claryville, Kentucky.

Bishop Brossart High School a private Catholic school, is located in Alexandria but draws from a wider area. Alexandria has a public library, a branch of the Campbell County Public Library.

Events and attractions
The Agricultural Society of Campbell County was organized in 1856. It organized a fair for the benefit of the farmers. This fair has numerous horse show events that are not only popular in Kentucky but around the world. The fair brings high standard horses from around the mideast.

Notable people

 * Mike Clines, Kentucky politician and resident of Alexandria
 * Ciara Bravo, actress

title: Alexandria, Kentucky


text:
Bellevue, Kentucky

Bellevue is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is located along the southern bank of the Ohio River. The population was 5,548 at the 2020 census.

History
Before Bellevue was founded, the area was used for hunting, fishing, and warfare by Native Americans tribes such as the Illini, Miami, Shawnee, Cherokee, and Tuscarora. In 1745, a three-day battle occurred in Bellevue among the Shawnee, Miami, and Cherokee Indians, resulting in many deaths.

Bellevue was named for the plantation of Gen. James Taylor Jr., Quartermaster General of the western U.S. Army in the War of 1812. The city was once the eastern part of his plantation. The name Bellevue was taken from the General's family plantation in Virginia. Bellevue, or "belle vue," translates from French to mean "beautiful view." James Taylor Jr. was the fifth child born to James Taylor Sr. and his wife, Anne Hubbard Taylor, in 'Midway', Caroline County, Virginia. His father bought 2700 acre of land in Northern Kentucky from his friend George Muse, part of which Muse had been awarded for his military service in the French and Indian War. James Taylor Jr. was one of the wealthiest men in the state of Kentucky. In 1848, his estate was valued at more than $4 million. Today, his home stands in the East Row local Historic District in the adjoining City of Newport, Kentucky. East Row is the second-largest local district in Kentucky, and the Taylor Mansion is the district's oldest house.

The city was formally incorporated by act of the state assembly in 1870. Although it contained only 381 inhabitants in 1870, by 1877, Bellevue was reported to be "growing fast".

By the 1890s, Bellevue was bustling. Balke's Opera House at Berry and Fairfield Avenues served as the town hall and firehouse. A city directory listed 15 grocery stores, four bakeries, six boot makers, seven confectioneries, two livery stables, a blacksmith, three millinaries, six doctors, seven saloons, and a wagon manufacturer.

Throughout Bellevue's history, Fairfield Avenue has been the city's primary business area. In 1894, Bellevue city fathers, attempting to bring more settlers to the city, published a brochure describing the avenue's commercial quality: "Fairfield Avenue, running east and west through the entire town, is the principal business thoroughfare, and business houses are kept well stocked with the latest and best of everything in all branches of trade.

The Taylor's Daughters Historic District is the local historic district.

At the turn of the 20th century, Bellevue, like Dayton, was known for its white sandy beaches. A resort called Queen City Beach opened in the summer of 1902 and extended from Washington Avenue to the Dayton city line. At its time it was considered one of the largest inland bathing resorts in the country. A 150 foot veranda hosted lockers, rowboats, skiffs, and sailboats for rental. The number of visitors to the beach decreased due to sewage and industrial dumping in the Ohio River. The beaches vanished after a series of dams and locks raised the level of the Ohio River. In the 1920s Queen City Beach was renamed "Riviera Beach" and then "Horseshoe Gardens" in 1930. The resort stayed open as a dance club and rented boats, but a series of floods caused severe damage. As of 2008 Bellevue Beach Park marks the location of where the Queen City Beach resort once sat.

Bellevue is becoming the bedroom community of Northern Kentucky, while its neighboring cities—Covington and Newport— are becoming the business and entertainment centers. Between 2005 and 2006, the average residential sale price increased by 89 percent, surpassing the market average of every other neighborhood in the Greater Cincinnati area.

Geography
Bellevue is located in the extreme northern portion of Kentucky, directly across the Ohio River from the Mount Adams neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. The city is bordered by Newport to the west, Dayton to the east, Fort Thomas to the south, and the Ohio River and Cincinnati to the north. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.9 sqmi, virtually all land.

Bellevue is on a gentle slope that rises toward the Kentucky Highlands region south of the city. Topographically, Bellevue is higher in elevation than its neighboring cities. When the Ohio River would rise, homes in Dayton and Newport would flood while homes in Bellevue (with the exception of homes in proximity to the riverbank) remained safe from rising water. For this reason, Bellevue is not protected by a levee, whereas Dayton and Newport are.

Demographics

As of the census of 2010, there were 5,955 people, 2,644 households, and 1,428 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,903.6 PD/sqmi. There were 2,936 housing units at an average density of 3,127.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96% White, 1.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 2,644 households, out of which 21.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.3% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46% were non-families. 36.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.25 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $36,550, and the median income for a family was $46,800. Males had a median income of $32,381 versus $26,606 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,983. About 7.9% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Schools in Bellevue belong to Bellevue Independent School District. There are two schools in the district, Grandview Elementary and Bellevue High School.

For the 2011 to 2012 school year, there were approximately 783 students enrolled.

Notable people

 * Edward Blau, physician
 * Harlan Hubbard, artist
 * Eddie Hunter, baseball player
 * Virginia Weiffenbach Kettering, philanthropist
 * Art Mergenthal, football player
 * Harry Steinfeldt, baseball player

title: Bellevue, Kentucky


text:
California, Kentucky

California is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 83 at the 2020 census.

History
California, Kentucky was founded ca. 1849, and named from news reports of the contemporaneous California Gold Rush. A post office has been in operation at California since 1852. California was incorporated as a city on February 7, 1874.

The Elijah Herndon House in California is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Campbell County. Soprano Mary Hissem De Moss was born in California, Kentucky in 1871.

Geography
California is located in southeastern Campbell County along the Ohio River. Kentucky Route 8 passes just west of the community, leading northwest (downstream) along the river 23 mi to Covington and southeast (upstream) 21 mi to Augusta. Clermontville, in Clermont County, Ohio, is directly across the river from California, but the closest bridge across the river is Interstate 275 14 mi downriver.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of California has a total area of 0.66 km2, all land.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, California has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 86 people,  26 households, and 21 families residing in the city. The population density was 358.2 PD/sqmi. There were 27 housing units at an average density of 112.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 26 households, out of which 57.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.1% were married couples living together, 3.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families. 19.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 3.76.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 36.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 37.2% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 3.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 68.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,500, and the median income for a family was $38,000. Males had a median income of $43,750 versus $30,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,143. None of the population and none of the families were below the poverty line.

The U.S. Postal Service ZIP code area for California serves a population of approximately 4,000, almost all of whom live outside the city limits.

Education
Residents are within the Campbell County School District. Residents are zoned to Campbell County High School in Alexandria.

title: California, Kentucky


text:
Claryville, Kentucky

Claryville is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,992 at the 2020 census.

History
Claryville was named for the Clary family of pioneer settlers.

Geography
Claryville is located in southwestern Campbell County. Its western border, Pond Creek Road, runs along the Licking River, which forms the Kenton County line. U.S. Route 27 (Alexandria Pike) is a four-lane highway that passes through the eastern part of Claryville, leading north through Alexandria 16 mi to downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, and south 19 mi to Falmouth.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 18.0 km2, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,588 people, 942 households, and 725 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 371.1 PD/sqmi. There were 993 housing units at an average density of 142.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.11% White, 0.27% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.31% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 942 households, out of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.0% were non-families. 18.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $49,231, and the median income for a family was $52,083. Males had a median income of $39,150 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $21,367. About 3.7% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.8% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education
Residents are within the Campbell County School District. Residents are zoned to Campbell County High School in Claryville, Kentucky

title: Claryville, Kentucky


text:
Cold Spring, Kentucky

Cold Spring is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,216 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky metropolitan area.

The organization Disabled American Veterans was formerly based in Cold Spring.

Geography
Cold Spring is located in northern Campbell County. It is bordered to the northwest by Wilder, to the north by Highland Heights, to the northeast by Crestview, to the southeast by Alexandria, and to the southwest by the Licking River, with the city of Taylor Mill in Kenton County on the other side.

U.S. Route 27 passes through Cold Spring as Alexandria Pike, leading northwest 8 mi to downtown Cincinnati and southeast 5 mi to Alexandria. Kentucky Route 9, a limited-access highway, also passes through Cold Spring, leading northwest to Newport across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, and southeast to Maysville and beyond.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Cold Spring has a total area of 12.3 km2, all land.

History
The name "Cold Spring" refers to a cold stream which for many years served as the sole source of drinking water. The community was founded prior to 1800, and a post office was established in 1832. It has since merged with the post office of Highland Heights.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 3,806 people, 1,467 households, and 1,104 families residing in the city. The population density was 801.7 PD/sqmi. There were 1,507 housing units at an average density of 317.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.34% White, 0.42% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.47% Asian, and 0.55% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population.

There were 1,467 households, out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.7% were non-families. 22.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $58,867, and the median income for a family was $68,125. Males had a median income of $46,875 versus $34,531 for females. The per capita income for the city was $24,451. About 1.0% of families and 1.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.5% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Education
Residents are within the Campbell County School District. Residents are zoned to Campbell County High School in Alexandria.

Cold Spring has a public library, a branch of the Campbell County Public Library.

title: Cold Spring, Kentucky


text:
Crestview, Kentucky

Crestview is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 452 at the 2020 census.

History
The city of Crestview was founded as Vet Village in 1948 by veterans of World War II. The first mayor, William Toner, was a veteran who – along with Michael Guidugli, Harold Shingshang, Edward Storer and Robert Munninghoff – broke ground as the first residents of the tiny city. Located less than 10 mi from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio., this small piece of farmland quickly became a suburb for these young soldiers and their families. In 1950, the residents decide to rename the city through a contest, and the name Crestview was selected.

Geography
Crestview is bordered to the west by Cold Spring.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.4 sqkm, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 471 people, 166 households, and 128 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,512.9 PD/sqmi. There were 167 housing units at an average density of 1,600.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.36% White and 0.64% Native American.

There were 166 households, out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.3% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.3% were non-families. 18.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,750, and the median income for a family was $55,104. Males had a median income of $35,536 versus $30,893 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,118. None of the families and 2.4% of the population were living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 5.3% of those over 64.

Education
Residents are within the Campbell County School District. Residents are zoned to Campbell County High School in Alexandria.

title: Crestview, Kentucky


text:
Dayton, Kentucky

The City of Dayton, Kentucky, is a home rule-class city along a bend of the Ohio River in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 5,666 at the 2020 census. It is less than 3 mi from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Geography
Dayton is located in the northernmost part of Campbell County on the inside of a bend in the Ohio River. It is the northernmost community in Kentucky as well. Dayton is bordered by Bellevue to the southwest and Fort Thomas to the southeast. To the north, across the Ohio River, is Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio. The closest bridge across the Ohio is the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge on Interstate 471, connecting Newport with Cincinnati.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Dayton has a total area of 5.0 sqkm, of which 3.3 sqkm is land and 1.7 km2, or 33.61%, is water. Dayton is located within Kentucky's Outer Bluegrass region in the Upper South.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Dayton has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

History
Dayton had a ferry crossing, established in this area by the early 19th century, at the foot of what is now Dayton Pike. Two separate cities, Jamestown and Brooklyn, separately incorporated in 1848 and 1849 respectively, were merged and reincorporated in 1867 under the name Dayton in honor of the Ohio town.

Jamestown was incorporated March 1, 1848. According to the state charter, the founding fathers were James Berry, James McArthur and Henry Walker. Berry was a nephew of James Taylor, Jr., founder of Newport, Kentucky.

Dayton has a large sandbar just offshore. It had a popular beach for many years known as the "Manhattan Bathing Beach", until the US Army Corps of Engineers raised the level of the Ohio River. In 1779, the beach was involved in the Battle of Dayton, KY; the fight involved Simon Girty, Alexander McKee, Col, John Campbell, Col. David Rogers and Capt. Robert Benham. Laws were passed prohibiting nude swimming in the Ohio River during daylight hours and prohibiting dogs from running loose. Violators of the nude swimming law faced a penalty of $1 for the first offense and as much as $5 for subsequent offenses. People also had the right to shoot dogs that were running loose in the city, and bill the owners for carcass removal. In 1919, the private Doyle Country Club was built and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Floods in 1884, 1913, and 1937 – the latter affecting 80 percent of the city and prompting residents to take shelter in the garages of the former Wadsworth Watch Case Co. – caused many of the companies in the once-booming town to move elsewhere. By the 1950s, many residents, weary of constant flooding, moved out of the town as well. A floodwall was finally completed in late 1981.

Today, Dayton is working on downtown revitalization and a historical survey of the city; it is the first step toward creating a historic district in the city.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,966 people, 2,200 households, and 1,518 families residing in the city. The population density was 4,494.7 PD/sqmi. There were 2,401 housing units at an average density of 1,808.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.32% White, 0.45% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population.

There were 2,200 households, out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 18.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.24.

In the city the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 11.9% from 18 to 24, 29.8% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $32,008, and the median income for a family was $38,339. Males had a median income of $28,592 versus $21,048 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,373. About 15.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.4% of those under age 18 and 4.7% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

 * Robert Agnew, actor who worked mostly in the silent film era
 * Edward H. Ahrens, recipient of Navy Cross, died at Guadalcanal
 * Todd Benzinger, former Major League Baseball player
 * Lonnie Burr, actor, dancer/choreographer, singer, director and author
 * Bob DeMoss, football player, coach, and college athletics administrator
 * Earl Murray, football player
 * Will Radcliff, businessman who created the Slush Puppie
 * Jesse Tannehill, former MLB player
 * Lee Tannehill, former MLB player
 * John Wooden, Hall of Fame basketball coach, coached at Dayton High

title: Dayton, Kentucky