Garrard County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Garrard County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. It is pronounced 'Gair-ad' with the third "r" silent. It was formed in 1797 and was named for James Garrard
, Governor of Kentucky
from 1796 to 1804. Its county seat
is Lancaster
. The population was 16,912 in the 2010 Census. It is a prohibition or dry county
but Lancaster is wet.
Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin
, visited the Kennedy home in Garrard County while gathering material for her book. The cabin of Uncle Tom was behind the mansion. County officials plan to recreate the cabin on the grounds of the Governor William Owsley House
.
Garrard County is governed by the Garrard County Fiscal Court, composed of the [County Judge Executive], who is elected county wide, and five Magistrates who are elected in magisterial districts representing different geographic areas of the county. Each member of the Fiscal Court is elected to a four year term, pursuant to the Kentucky Constitution.
of 2000, there were 14,792 people, 5,741 households, and 4,334 families residing in the county. The population density
was 64 /sqmi. There were 6,414 housing units at an average density of 28 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.75% White
, 3.06% Black
or African American
, 0.13% Native American
, 0.04% Asian
, 0.43% from other races
, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 5,741 households out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples
living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.95.
By age, 24.40% of the population was under 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,284, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $30,989 versus $21,856 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,915. About 11.60% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 17.00% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kentucky
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...
. It is pronounced 'Gair-ad' with the third "r" silent. It was formed in 1797 and was named for James Garrard
James Garrard
James Garrard was an American soldier who served as the second Governor of Kentucky from 1796 to 1804. He was also a Baptist minister, but his secretary of state, Unitarian minister Henry Toulmin, influenced him to adopt Socinianism...
, Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
from 1796 to 1804. Its 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....
is Lancaster
Lancaster, Kentucky
Lancaster is a city in Garrard County, Kentucky, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,734. It is the county seat of Garrard County. Located south of Lexington, it is the site of the Kennedy House, said to have been used in Uncle Tom's Cabin. The controversial...
. The population was 16,912 in the 2010 Census. It is a prohibition or dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
but Lancaster is wet.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 233.88 square miles (605.7 km²), of which 231.21 square miles (598.8 km²) (or 98.86%) is land and 2.67 square miles (6.9 km²) (or 1.14%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Jessamine CountyJessamine County, KentuckyJessamine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, which was the center of farming and blooded stock raising, including thoroughbred horses. It was formed in 1799. The population was 48,586 in the 2010 Census...
(north, across the Kentucky RiverKentucky RiverThe 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...
) - Madison CountyMadison County, KentuckyMadison 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...
(northeast) - Rockcastle CountyRockcastle County, KentuckyRockcastle County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 16,582. Its county seat is Mt. Vernon. The county is named for the Rockcastle River which runs through it...
(southeast) - Lincoln CountyLincoln County, KentuckyLincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 24,742 in the 2010 Cesus. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln is a prohibition or "dry county" and is part of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
(southwest) - Boyle CountyBoyle County, KentuckyBoyle County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Its county seat is Danville. In 2000, its population was 28,432. It was formed in 1842 and named for John Boyle , a U.S...
(west) - Mercer CountyMercer County, KentuckyMercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 20,817. Its county seat is Harrodsburg. The county is named for General Hugh Mercer...
(northwest, across the Dix RiverDix RiverThe Dix River is a tributary of the Kentucky River in central Kentucky in the United States.It begins in western Rockcastle County, about west of Mount Vernon. It flows generally northwest, in a tight meandering course, passing north of Stanford and east of Danville. Northwest of Danville it is...
)
History
Garrard County was formed on December 17, 1796 from sections of Lincoln County, Madison County and Mercer County.Harriet Beecher Stowe, author of Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Uncle Tom's Cabin; or, Life Among the Lowly is an anti-slavery novel by American author Harriet Beecher Stowe. Published in 1852, the novel "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War", according to Will Kaufman....
, visited the Kennedy home in Garrard County while gathering material for her book. The cabin of Uncle Tom was behind the mansion. County officials plan to recreate the cabin on the grounds of the Governor William Owsley House
Governor William Owsley House
Governor William Owsley House, also known as Pleasant Retreat, is a historic house located in Lancaster, Kentucky on U.S. 27. The house was the home of Kentucky Governor William Owsley. The property has been restored and is now a museum.-Current:...
.
Law and Government
In the United States Senate, Garrard County is represented by US Senator Mitch McConnell and US Senator Rand Paul. Garrard County is in the 6th Congressional District, represented by US Rep. Ben Chandler; in the 22nd State Senatorial District represented by State Senator Tom Buford and in the 36th State Legislative District represented by State Representative Lonnie Napier.Garrard County is governed by the Garrard County Fiscal Court, composed of the [County Judge Executive], who is elected county wide, and five Magistrates who are elected in magisterial districts representing different geographic areas of the county. Each member of the Fiscal Court is elected to a four year term, pursuant to the Kentucky Constitution.
- Judge ExecutiveCounty Judge/ExecutiveA County Judge/Executive is an elected official in the U.S. state of Kentucky who is the head of the executive branch of a government in a county. The Judge/Executive is an ex officio member of the Fiscal Court, the county's legislature...
Hon. John Wilson(R) - Deputy Judge Executive Hon. James Bushnell(R)
- County Magistrates:
- Magistrate Dist. 1 Joe Leavell(R)
- Magistrate Dist. 2 Doan Adkison(R)
- Magistrate Dist. 3 Ronald Lane(R)
- Magistrate Dist. 4 Fred Simpson(R)
- Magistrate Dist. 5 Betty Von Gruenigen(R)
- County Clerk Stacy May(R)
- Sheriff Ronald Wardrip(R)
- Circuit Clerk Dana Hensley(R)
- PVAPVAPVA may refer to:* Paralyzed Veterans of America* Patrick Van Aanholt , a Dutch footballer playing for Chelsea F.C.* Patterned vertical alignment, an LCD technology* Penn Virginia Corporation * Perkiomen Valley Academy...
Kay Hall(R) - Jailer Kevin Middleton(R)
- Coroner Daryl Hodge(R)
Notable residents
- Simeon H. AndersonSimeon H. AndersonSimeon H. Anderson was a United States Representative from Kentucky. Anderson was the father of William Clayton Anderson who also served as a Representative from Kentucky. He was born near Lancaster, Kentucky were he pursued preparatory studies...
(1802–1840) was a United States Representative from Kentucky. - William O. Bradley (1847–1914) was an American politician and the thirty-second Governor of Kentucky, and later served as a U.S. senator from Kentucky.
- Bradley KincaidBradley KincaidWilliam Bradley Kincaid was an American folk singer and radio entertainer.He was born in Point Level, Garrard County, Kentucky but built a music career in the northern states. His first radio appearance came in 1926 when he performed on the National Barn Dance show on WLS-AM in Chicago, Illinois...
(1895–1989) "The Kentucky Mountain Boy," was radio's pioneer singer of folk songs and ballads in the 1920s-40s. - Robert P. LetcherRobert P. LetcherRobert Perkins Letcher was a politician and lawyer from the US state of Kentucky. He served as a U.S. Representative, Minister to Mexico, and the 15th Governor of Kentucky. He also served in the Kentucky General Assembly where he was Speaker of the House in 1837 and 1838. A strong supporter of the...
(1788–1861) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative, diplomat and governor of Kentucky. - Eddie Montgomery (1963 - ) is a member of American country music duo Montgomery Gentry and brother of John Micheal Montgomery was raised in Garrard County.
- John Michael MontgomeryJohn Michael MontgomeryJohn Michael Montgomery is an American country music artist. He has produced more than thirty singles on the Billboard country charts, including two of Billboard’s Number One country singles of the year: "I Swear" and "Sold "...
(1965- ) is an American country music artist raised in Garrard County - Carrie NationCarrie NationCarrie Amelia Moore Nation was a member of the temperance movement, which opposed alcohol in pre-Prohibition America. She is particularly noteworthy for promoting her viewpoint through vandalism. On many occasions Nation would enter an alcohol-serving establishment and attack the bar with a hatchet...
(1846–1911) was a member of the temperance movement—which opposed alcohol in pre-Prohibition America. - Jody PayneJody PayneJody Payne is an American country musician and singer. He is probably best known as a longtime guitarist in Willie Nelson's band....
Guitarist who played with American country music star Willie Nelson for 34 years and retired in 2008. - William OwsleyWilliam OwsleyWilliam Owsley was an associate justice on the Kentucky Court of Appeals and the 16th Governor of Kentucky. He also served in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly and was Kentucky Secretary of State under Governor James Turner Morehead.Owsley studied law under John Boyle...
(1782–1862) was an American politician and jurist who became the sixteenth Governor of KentuckyGovernor of KentuckyThe Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
. - Eugenia Dunlap Potts (1840–1912) Local Authoress. The first of her nine works was "Song of Lancaster," a metrical history in style of Longfellow's "Hiawatha."
- Henry SmithHenry Smith (Texas Governor)Henry Smith was first American-born Governor of the Mexican territory of Texas and briefly presided over the revolution there.-Early life:...
(1788–1851) was known as the first provisional governor of the Republic of Texas. - John BoyleJohn Boyle (congressman)John Boyle was a United States federal judge and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives....
(1774–1834) was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and Chief Justice of Kentucky Court of Appeals. Boyle County was named for him.
Popular culture
- John Micheal Montgomery's 1995 hit "Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident)" was filmed at the Garrard County Stockyards.
- Portions of John Micheal Montgomery's 1997 hit "I miss you a little" were filmed in Garrard County.
- Portions of the 1957 movie "Raintree CountyRaintree County (film)Raintree County is a 1957 Technicolor film drama about the American Civil War. It was directed by Edward Dmytryk. The film stars Montgomery Clift, Elizabeth Taylor, Eva Marie Saint, and Lee Marvin....
" were filmed in Garrard County. - In 2009, Garrard Economic Development Director Nathan Mick and local filmmaker Parker Young produced a short video titled: "It's Garrard County" a community effort to introduce the county to the world using new media.
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 14,792 people, 5,741 households, and 4,334 families residing in the county. 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 64 /sqmi. There were 6,414 housing units at an average density of 28 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 95.75% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.06% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.13% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.04% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.43% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.59% from two or more races. 1.32% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 5,741 households out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% 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, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.95.
By age, 24.40% of the population was under 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% were 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,284, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $30,989 versus $21,856 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 county was $16,915. About 11.60% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.10% of those under age 18 and 17.00% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- BryantsvilleBryantsville, KentuckyBryantsville is an unincorporated community in Garrard County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along U.S. Route 27 northwest of the city of Lancaster, the county seat of Garrard County. Its elevation is 942 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of...
- BuckeyeBuckeye, KentuckyBuckeye is an unincorporated community in Garrard County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 39 northeast of the city of Lancaster, the county seat of Garrard County. Its elevation is 955 feet ....
- Cartersville
- HyattsvilleHyattsville, KentuckyHyattsville is an unincorporated community in Garrard County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Routes 52 and 1295 east of the city of Lancaster, the county seat of Garrard County. Its elevation is 1,040 feet ....
- LancasterLancaster, KentuckyLancaster is a city in Garrard County, Kentucky, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,734. It is the county seat of Garrard County. Located south of Lexington, it is the site of the Kennedy House, said to have been used in Uncle Tom's Cabin. The controversial...
- Paint LickPaint Lick, KentuckyPaint Lick is an unincorporated community in Garrard County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Routes 21 and 52 east of the city of Lancaster, the county seat of Garrard County. Its elevation is 820 feet . Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 40461...
- Davis town
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Garrard County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Garrard County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Garrard County, Kentucky. It is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Garrard County, Kentucky, United States...