Frankfort, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky
that serves as the state capital and the county seat
of Franklin County
. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States
. Located on the Kentucky River
, Frankfort is the principal city of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Franklin and Anderson
counties.
, who were making salt at a ford in the Kentucky River
. After the pioneer Stephen Frank was killed, the settlers called the crossing "Frank’s Ford." This name was later shortened to Frankfort.
In 1786 James Wilkinson
purchased the 260 acres (1.1 km²) tract of land on the north side of the Kentucky River, which developed as downtown Frankfort. He was an early promoter of Frankfort as the state capital.
After Kentucky became a state, five commissioners were appointed on June 20, 1792, to choose a location for the capital. They were John Allen and John Edwards (both from Bourbon County
), Henry Lee (Mason County
), Thomas Kennedy (Madison County
), and Robert Todd
(Fayette County
). A number of communities competed for this honor, but Frankfort won. According to early histories, the offer of Andrew Holmes' log house as capitol for seven years, a number of town lots, £
50 worth of locks and hinges, 10 boxes of glass, 1,500 pounds of nails, and $3,000 in gold helped the decision go to Frankfort.
Frankfort had a post office
by 1794, with Daniel Weisiger as postmaster.
John Brown
, a Virginia lawyer and statesman, built a home, now called Liberty Hall
, in Frankfort in 1796. Before statehood he represented Virginia in the Continental Congress
(1777–78) and the U.S. Congress (1789–91). While in Congress he introduced the bill granting statehood to Kentucky. Once that was accomplished, he was elected a U.S. Senator for Kentucky.
The Kentucky General Assembly
appropriated funds to provide a house to accommodate the governor in 1796. Construction was completed in 1798. The Old Governor's Mansion
is reputed to be the oldest official executive residence still in use in the United States. In 1829 the Old Capitol
, the third Capitol of Kentucky, was built in the Greek Revival style, designed by Gideon Shryock
. The building served Kentucky as its Capitol from 1830 until 1910.
During the American Civil War
, Union forces built fortifications overlooking downtown Frankfort on what is now called Fort Hill. The Confederate Army occupied Frankfort for a short time.
On February 3, 1900 Governor-elect William Goebel
was assassinated in Frankfort while walking to the capitol
to be inaugurated. Former Secretary of State Caleb Powers
was later found guilty in a conspiracy to kill Goebel.
The city has grown considerably since the 1960s. A modern addition to the State Office Building was completed in 1967. The original building was completed in the 1930s on the location of the former Kentucky State Penitentiary. Some of the stone from the old prison was used for the walls surrounding the office building.
Capitol Plaza was established in the 1960s. It comprises the Capitol Plaza Office Tower, the tallest building in the city, the Capitol Plaza Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn, Frankfort), and the Fountain Place Shoppes. The Capital Plaza Office Tower opened in 1968 and has become a visual landmark for the center of the city. In August 2008, capital officials announced a plan to demolish the Tower and redevelop the area over a period of years. They intended to replace the outdated Tower with a smaller, four- or five-story building for a more pedestrian-oriented scale at the complex.
Frankfort is home to several major distilleries of Kentucky Bourbon whiskey, including Buffalo Trace Distillery
(formerly Ancient Age
).
Frankfort is located at 38°11′50"N 84°51′47"W (38.197274, -84.863110). It is in the (inner) Bluegrass region
of Central Kentucky.
The city is bisected by the Kentucky River
, which makes an s-turn as it passes through the center of town. The river valley widens at this point, which creates four distinct parts of town. The valley within the city limits contains Downtown and South Frankfort districts, which lie opposite one another on the river. A small neighborhood with its own distinct identity, Bellepoint, is located on the west bank of the river to the north of Benson Creek, opposite the river from the "downtown" district. The suburban areas on either side of the valley are referred to as West Frankfort and East Frankfort, respectively.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 15 square miles (38.8 km²), of which 14.7 square miles (38.1 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) is water.
Frankfort does not have a commercial airport and travelers fly into Bluegrass Airport in Lexington
, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
near Covington
or Louisville International Airport
in Louisville
.
of the Southeastern United States. It is proximal to the climatic transition zone where the subtropical Southeast blends with and then eventually changes to a humid continental climate
further north (roughly just beyond Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana
).
of 2000, there were 27,741 people, 12,314 households, and 6,945 families residing in the city.
The population density
was 1883.2 /sqmi. There were 13,422 housing units at an average density of 911.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.84% White or European American
, 14.70% Black or African American
, 0.13% Native American
, 0.94% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 0.77% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos
of any race were 1.48% of the population.
There were 12,314 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples
living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.83.
The age distribution was 21.6% under 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,980, and the median income for a family was $47,855. Males had a median income of $31,339 versus $25,361 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $20,512. About 9.5% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
Frankfort is the focal point of a micropolitan statistical area
consisting of Frankfort and Franklin County
as well as adjacent Lawrenceburg
and Anderson County
. The city is also classified in a combined statistical area
with Lexington and Richmond
to the east.
Frankfort's municipal population makes it the fourth smallest capital city in the United States.
Walk/Bike Frankfort http://sites.google.com/site/walkbikefrankfort is dedicated to making the capital of Kentucky the best city in the Commonwealth for pedestrians and cyclists.
Frankfort Climate Action Network http://www.frankfortclimateaction.net, Working to raise awareness about the threat of climate change and solutions for it.
Josephine Sculpture Park http://josephinesculpturepark.org, provide, community arts education and creative experiences while conserving the beauty of the native, rural landscape.
It is free and open every day from dawn until dusk
The Folkbike Re-Cyclery http://folkbikerecyclery.org is a non-profit, volunteer organization located at 106 E.Broadway in Frankfort. We restore and repairs used bicycles, providing them to people who cannot afford new ones. Many residents donate unused bikes to the group.
, a historically black university situated near the downtown area. Two school district
s serve the city, with three public high schools within the city limits:
Private high school:
Frankfort, Franklin County and the surrounding area also have a considerable homeschooling population.
, Dominican Republic
.
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
that serves as the state capital and the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Franklin County
Franklin County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,687 people, 19,907 households, and 12,840 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 21,409 housing units at an average density of...
. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Located on the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
, Frankfort is the principal city of the Frankfort, Kentucky Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Franklin and Anderson
Anderson County, Kentucky
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1827. In 2010 the population was 21,421. Its county seat is Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The county is named for Richard Clough Anderson, Jr., a Kentucky Legislator, U.S...
counties.
History
The town of Frankfort likely received its name from an event that took place in 1780s. Native Americans attacked a group of early British-American pioneers from Bryan’s StationLexington
-Places:In the United States:*Lexington, Kentucky, the largest 'Lexington'*Lexington, Massachusetts, the oldest 'Lexington'** Battles of Lexington and Concord, the first battles of the American Revolutionary War*Lexington, Alabama*Lexington, Georgia...
, who were making salt at a ford in the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
. After the pioneer Stephen Frank was killed, the settlers called the crossing "Frank’s Ford." This name was later shortened to Frankfort.
In 1786 James Wilkinson
James Wilkinson
James Wilkinson was an American soldier and statesman, who was associated with several scandals and controversies. He served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, but was twice compelled to resign...
purchased the 260 acres (1.1 km²) tract of land on the north side of the Kentucky River, which developed as downtown Frankfort. He was an early promoter of Frankfort as the state capital.
Bourbon County, Kentucky
Bourbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the remnant of what was previously a much larger Bourbon County, established as part of Virginia in 1785, and comprising what are now thirty-four modern Kentucky counties...
), Henry Lee (Mason County
Mason County, Kentucky
Mason County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 16,800. Its county seat is Maysville. The county is named for George Mason, a Virginia delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention, known as the "Father of the Bill of Rights"...
), Thomas Kennedy (Madison County
Madison County, Kentucky
Madison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2008, the population was 82,192. Its county seat is Richmond. The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States. This is also where famous pioneer Daniel...
), and Robert Todd
Robert Todd (pioneer)
Brigadier General Robert Todd was an 18th century American pioneer, politician and soldier. As an officer in the Continental Army under General "Mad" Anthony Wayne, he took part in the Indian Wars and the western campaign during the American Revolutionary War.Together with his brothers John Todd...
(Fayette County
Fayette County, Kentucky
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 295,083 in the 2010 Census. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington, which also serves as county seat....
). A number of communities competed for this honor, but Frankfort won. According to early histories, the offer of Andrew Holmes' log house as capitol for seven years, a number of town lots, £
Pound sign
The pound sign is the symbol for the pound sterling—the currency of the United Kingdom . The same symbol is used for similarly named currencies in some other countries and territories, such as the Irish pound, Gibraltar pound, Australian pound and the Italian lira...
50 worth of locks and hinges, 10 boxes of glass, 1,500 pounds of nails, and $3,000 in gold helped the decision go to Frankfort.
Frankfort had a post office
Post office
A post office is a facility forming part of a postal system for the posting, receipt, sorting, handling, transmission or delivery of mail.Post offices offer mail-related services such as post office boxes, postage and packaging supplies...
by 1794, with Daniel Weisiger as postmaster.
John Brown
John Brown (Kentucky)
John Brown was an American lawyer and statesman heavily involved with creating the State of Kentucky.Brown represented Virginia in the Continental Congress and the U.S. Congress . While in Congress, he introduced the bill granting Statehood to Kentucky. Once that was accomplished, he was elected...
, a Virginia lawyer and statesman, built a home, now called Liberty Hall
Liberty Hall (Kentucky)
Liberty Hall is a historic house in Frankfort, Kentucky that was built in 1796 by American statesman John Brown. It was declared to be a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1971.-History:...
, in Frankfort in 1796. Before statehood he represented Virginia in the Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
(1777–78) and the U.S. Congress (1789–91). While in Congress he introduced the bill granting statehood to Kentucky. Once that was accomplished, he was elected a U.S. Senator for Kentucky.
The Kentucky General Assembly
Kentucky General Assembly
The Kentucky General Assembly, also called the Kentucky Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Kentucky.The General Assembly meets annually in the state capitol building in Frankfort, Kentucky, convening on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January...
appropriated funds to provide a house to accommodate the governor in 1796. Construction was completed in 1798. The Old Governor's Mansion
Old Governor's Mansion (Frankfort, Kentucky)
The Old Governor's Mansion, also known as Lieutenant Governor's Mansion, is located at 420 High Street, Frankfort, Kentucky. It is reputed to be the oldest official executive residence officially still in use in the United States, as the mansion is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor...
is reputed to be the oldest official executive residence still in use in the United States. In 1829 the Old Capitol
Old State Capitol (Kentucky)
The Old State Capitol , also known as Old Statehouse, was the third Capitol of Kentucky. The building in Frankfort, Kentucky served as the capitol of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1830 to 1910. The building has been restored to its American Civil War era appearance.The Kentucky legislature...
, the third Capitol of Kentucky, was built in the Greek Revival style, designed by Gideon Shryock
Gideon Shryock
Gideon Shryock was an American Greek Revival architect.Shryock was a native of Lexington, Kentucky, the son of a housebuilder and contractor, Mathias Shryock, who had moved to Kentucky from Maryland and who would father 10 other children in Kentucky besides Gideon...
. The building served Kentucky as its Capitol from 1830 until 1910.
During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Union forces built fortifications overlooking downtown Frankfort on what is now called Fort Hill. The Confederate Army occupied Frankfort for a short time.
On February 3, 1900 Governor-elect William Goebel
William Goebel
William Justus Goebel was an American politician who served as the 34th Governor of Kentucky for a few days in 1900 after having been mortally wounded by an assassin the day before he was sworn in...
was assassinated in Frankfort while walking to the capitol
Kentucky State Capitol
The Kentucky State Capitol is located in Frankfort and is the house of the three branches of the state government of the Commonwealth of Kentucky...
to be inaugurated. Former Secretary of State Caleb Powers
Caleb Powers
Caleb Powers was a United States Representative from Kentucky and the first Secretary of State of Kentucky convicted as an accessory to murder.-Early life:He was born near Williamsburg, Kentucky...
was later found guilty in a conspiracy to kill Goebel.
The city has grown considerably since the 1960s. A modern addition to the State Office Building was completed in 1967. The original building was completed in the 1930s on the location of the former Kentucky State Penitentiary. Some of the stone from the old prison was used for the walls surrounding the office building.
Capitol Plaza was established in the 1960s. It comprises the Capitol Plaza Office Tower, the tallest building in the city, the Capitol Plaza Hotel (formerly the Holiday Inn, Frankfort), and the Fountain Place Shoppes. The Capital Plaza Office Tower opened in 1968 and has become a visual landmark for the center of the city. In August 2008, capital officials announced a plan to demolish the Tower and redevelop the area over a period of years. They intended to replace the outdated Tower with a smaller, four- or five-story building for a more pedestrian-oriented scale at the complex.
Frankfort is home to several major distilleries of Kentucky Bourbon whiskey, including Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery
Buffalo Trace Distillery is a distillery located in Frankfort, Kentucky. It has historically been known by several names, including most notably, the George T. Stagg Distillery and the O.F.C. Distillery. Its namesake bourbon brand, Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon whiskey, was introduced...
(formerly Ancient Age
Ancient Age
Ancient Age is a brand of bourbon whiskey distilled in Frankfort, Kentucky at the Buffalo Trace Distillery.- Current Expressions :* Ancient Age is a 36 month old bourbon, bottled at 80 proof...
).
Historic churches
- Church of the AscensionChurch of the Ascension (Frankfort, Kentucky)The Church of the Ascension is an Episcopal Church located in the heart of Frankfort, Kentucky’s historic district at 311 Washington Street. It was organized in 1835....
Episcopal Church was organized in 1835. It is located at 311 Washington Street in what is now Frankfort’s historic district. - Good Shepherd Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic ChurchThe Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
was built in 1850, following the immigration in the 1840s of many Irish and German Catholics to the city. Serving Catholics of all ancestries, it is located at 310 Wapping Street in Frankfort’s historic district. - First Baptist Church also known as "First Baptist Church, Clinton Street" was organized in 1833 and is the largest African-American congregation in the city. FBC has hosted religious, civil and political leaders including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. The Church is located at 100 Clinton Street in Frankfort's historic district.
Geography
Bluegrass region
The Bluegrass Region is a geographic region in the state of Kentucky, United States. It occupies the northern part of the state and since European settlement has contained a majority of the state's population and its largest cities....
of Central Kentucky.
The city is bisected by the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
, which makes an s-turn as it passes through the center of town. The river valley widens at this point, which creates four distinct parts of town. The valley within the city limits contains Downtown and South Frankfort districts, which lie opposite one another on the river. A small neighborhood with its own distinct identity, Bellepoint, is located on the west bank of the river to the north of Benson Creek, opposite the river from the "downtown" district. The suburban areas on either side of the valley are referred to as West Frankfort and East Frankfort, respectively.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 15 square miles (38.8 km²), of which 14.7 square miles (38.1 km²) is land and 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²) is water.
Frankfort does not have a commercial airport and travelers fly into Bluegrass Airport in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport , sometimes called the Greater Cincinnati Airport is located in Hebron, unincorporated Boone County, Kentucky, United States and serves the Greater Cincinnati metropolitan area. Despite being located in Boone County, the airport operations are...
near Covington
Covington, Kentucky
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile . There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 1,556.5 per square mile...
or Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport
Louisville International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport centrally located in the city of Louisville in Jefferson County, Kentucky, USA. The airport covers 1,200 acres and has three runways. Its IATA airport code SDF is based on the airport's former name, Standiford Field...
in Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
.
Climate
Frankfort is located at the northern extreme limit of the humid subtropical climateHumid subtropical climate
A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...
of the Southeastern United States. It is proximal to the climatic transition zone where the subtropical Southeast blends with and then eventually changes to a humid continental climate
Humid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
further north (roughly just beyond Cincinnati, Ohio and Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
).
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 27,741 people, 12,314 households, and 6,945 families residing in the city.
The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1883.2 /sqmi. There were 13,422 housing units at an average density of 911.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 81.84% White or European American
White American
White Americans are people of the United States who are considered or consider themselves White. The United States Census Bureau defines White people as those "having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa...
, 14.70% Black or African American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
, 0.13% Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
, 0.94% Asian
Asian American
Asian Americans are Americans of Asian descent. The U.S. Census Bureau definition of Asians as "Asian” refers to a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan,...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Pacific Islander American
Pacific Islander Americans, also known as Oceanian Americans, are residents of the United States with original ancestry from Oceania. They represent the smallest racial group counted in the United States census of 2000. They numbered 874,000 people or 0.3 percent of the United States population...
, 0.77% from other races, and 1.60% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
of any race were 1.48% of the population.
There were 12,314 households out of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.9% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.6% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.83.
The age distribution was 21.6% under 18, 11.7% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,980, and the median income for a family was $47,855. Males had a median income of $31,339 versus $25,361 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $20,512. About 9.5% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.3% of those under age 18 and 14.8% of those age 65 or over.
Frankfort is the focal point of a micropolitan statistical area
United States micropolitan area
United States Micropolitan Statistical Areas , as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget, are urban areas in the United States based around a core city or town with a population of 10,000 to 49,999. The micropolitan area designation was created in 2003...
consisting of Frankfort and Franklin County
Franklin County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 47,687 people, 19,907 households, and 12,840 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 21,409 housing units at an average density of...
as well as adjacent Lawrenceburg
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
Lawrenceburg is a city in Anderson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 10,505 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Anderson County...
and Anderson County
Anderson County, Kentucky
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1827. In 2010 the population was 21,421. Its county seat is Lawrenceburg, Kentucky. The county is named for Richard Clough Anderson, Jr., a Kentucky Legislator, U.S...
. The city is also classified in a combined statistical area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
with Lexington and Richmond
Richmond, Kentucky
There were 10,795 households out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households, 34.7% were made up of individuals and 8.8% had...
to the east.
Frankfort's municipal population makes it the fourth smallest capital city in the United States.
Community
Commonwealth Gardens http://commonwealthgardens.com is a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to the formation of community gardens and school gardens in the Frankfort and Franklin County area. It advocates the consumption of locally grown food because it tastes better and takes less energy to produce, and also to support local farmers and merchants.Walk/Bike Frankfort http://sites.google.com/site/walkbikefrankfort is dedicated to making the capital of Kentucky the best city in the Commonwealth for pedestrians and cyclists.
Frankfort Climate Action Network http://www.frankfortclimateaction.net, Working to raise awareness about the threat of climate change and solutions for it.
Josephine Sculpture Park http://josephinesculpturepark.org, provide, community arts education and creative experiences while conserving the beauty of the native, rural landscape.
It is free and open every day from dawn until dusk
The Folkbike Re-Cyclery http://folkbikerecyclery.org is a non-profit, volunteer organization located at 106 E.Broadway in Frankfort. We restore and repairs used bicycles, providing them to people who cannot afford new ones. Many residents donate unused bikes to the group.
Education
Frankfort is the home of the Kentucky State UniversityKentucky State University
Kentucky State University is a four-year institution of higher learning, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, the Commonwealth's capital. The school is an historically black university, which desegregated in 1954...
, a historically black university situated near the downtown area. Two school district
School district
School districts are a form of special-purpose district which serves to operate the local public primary and secondary schools.-United States:...
s serve the city, with three public high schools within the city limits:
- Frankfort Independent Schools, whose boundaries roughly coincide with downtown, South Frankfort, and the Bellepoint and Tanglewood neighborhoods:
- Frankfort High SchoolFrankfort High School (Kentucky)Frankfort High School is located at 328 Shelby Street in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is part of the Frankfort Independent School District which consists of Second Street School, Wilkinson Street School, and Frankfort High School. Notable graduates include George C. Wolfe, and the writer, Walter...
- Frankfort High School
- Franklin County Public Schools, covering the rest of the county:
- Franklin County High SchoolFranklin County High School (Kentucky)Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools. The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training...
, primarily serving the eastern half of Franklin County - Western Hills High SchoolWestern Hills High School (Frankfort, Kentucky)Western Hills High School is a secondary school located at 100 Doctors Drive in Frankfort, Kentucky. It is the more recently constructed of the two high schools in the Franklin County Public Schools district, having opened to students in 1981. The first student body selected the Warrior as the...
, serving west Frankfort and western Franklin County
- Franklin County High School
Private high school:
Frankfort, Franklin County and the surrounding area also have a considerable homeschooling population.
Sister cities
Frankfort has one sister city: San Pedro de MacorísSan Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís is a municipality and the capital of the San Pedro de Macorís province in the Dominican Republic.-Demographics:...
, Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
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Notable residents
- William Wirt AdamsWilliam Wirt AdamsWilliam Wirt Adams was a United States district court judge for the state of Mississippi, a soldier for the Republic of Texas, and a Confederate officer and general in the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
(1819–88), born in Frankfort, brigadier generalBrigadier GeneralBrigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in the Confederate Army - Elijah CraigElijah CraigRev. Elijah Craig was a Baptist preacher in Virginia, who became an educator and capitalist entrepreneur in the area of Virginia that later became the state of Kentucky...
, Baptist preacher and early bourbon distiller, settled here from Virginia in the 1780s. - Elizabeth Ann HuletteMiss ElizabethElizabeth Ann Hulette , best known as Miss Elizabeth, was an American professional wrestling manager. She gained international fame from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s in the World Wrestling Federation, and the mid-1990s in World Championship Wrestling in her role as the manager to the late...
(November 19, 1960 – May 1, 2003) professional wrestlingProfessional wrestlingProfessional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
manager. Attended Franklin County High SchoolFranklin County High School (Kentucky)Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools. The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training... - John Marshall HarlanJohn Marshall HarlanJohn Marshall Harlan was a Kentucky lawyer and politician who served as an associate justice on the Supreme Court. He is most notable as the lone dissenter in the Civil Rights Cases , and Plessy v...
, former Franklin County judge. Later served on the U.S. Supreme Court and is notable for being the lone dissenter in the 19th-century Plessy v. FergusonPlessy v. FergusonPlessy v. Ferguson, 163 U.S. 537 , is a landmark United States Supreme Court decision in the jurisprudence of the United States, upholding the constitutionality of state laws requiring racial segregation in private businesses , under the doctrine of "separate but equal".The decision was handed...
and the Civil Rights CasesCivil Rights CasesThe Civil Rights Cases, 109 U.S. 3 , were a group of five similar cases consolidated into one issue for the United States Supreme Court to review...
, which struck down anti-discrimination laws as unconstitutional. - Paul SawyierPaul SawyierPaul Sawyier , one of Kentucky's most renowned artists, was an American impressionist painter.-Early life and education:...
(1865–1917) was a Kentucky artist and an American Impressionist - Hal SparksHal SparksHal Harry Magee Sparks III is an American actor, comedian, musician and television personality. He is known for his contributions to VH1, hosting E!'s Talk Soup, and the role of Michael Novotny on the American television series Queer as Folk.-Early life:Sparks was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, but...
, actor and comedian, attended Franklin County High SchoolFranklin County High School (Kentucky)Franklin County High School is the largest of three public high schools in Frankfort, Kentucky and is one of two high schools operated by Franklin County Public Schools. The campus also houses the Franklin County Career & Technical Center, which offers vocational training... - George Graham VestGeorge Graham VestGeorge Graham Vest was a U.S. politician. Born in Frankfort, Kentucky, he was known for his skills in oration and debate. Vest, a lawyer as well as a politician, served as a Missouri Congressman, a Confederate Congressman during the Civil War, and finally a US Senator...
(1830–1904) U.S. Senator from Missouri - George C. WolfeGeorge C. WolfeGeorge Costello Wolfe is an American playwright and director of theater and film. He won a Tony Award in 1993 for directing Angels in America: Millennium Approaches and another Tony Award in 1996 for his direction of the musical, Bring in 'da Noise/Bring in 'da Funk.-Early life and...
(September 23, 1954 - ), BroadwayBroadway theatreBroadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
producerTheatrical producerA theatrical producer is the person ultimately responsible for overseeing all aspects of mounting a theatre production. The independent producer will usually be the originator and finder of the script and starts the whole process...
/playwrightPlaywrightA playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and film director. - Will ChaseWill ChaseWill Chase is an American actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals.Chase was born in Frankfort, Kentucky to Jerry and Betty Chase and is the youngest of three boys...
is an actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals. - Johnny DeppJohnny DeppJohn Christopher "Johnny" Depp II is an American actor, producer and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild award for Best Actor. Depp rose to prominence on the 1980s television series 21 Jump Street, becoming a teen idol...
, film actor