Lexington, KY

Headnote
LEXINGTON, city, seat of justice of Fayette co., Ky., 24 ms. S. E. of Frankfort, situated on a branch of Elkhorn river, 70 miles from Louisville, and 515 from Washington. It is the oldest town in the state, and was formerly the capital... A large public square adorns the centre of the place, which is surrounded by stately private mansions. The public buildings are, a courthouse, Masonic hall, jail, state lunatic asylum, and the halls of the Transylvania university, together with several churches and academies, and the hospitality and intelligence of its citizens, and render it a desirable southern residence. The population in 1820, was 5,283; in 1830, 6,408; in 1840, 6,984; in 1850, ---. (Fanning's, 1853)
Place Unit Type
City or Town
Containing Unit
Fayette County, KY

Lexington, Kentucky (Fanning's, 1853)

Gazetteer/Almanac
LEXINGTON, city, seat of justice of Fayette co., Ky., 24 ms. S. E. of Frankfort, situated on a branch of Elkhorn river, 70 miles from Louisville, and 515 from Washington. It is the oldest town in the state, and was formerly the capital. It has many handsome, paved streets. Main street being 75 feet wide, and 1 1/2 miles in length. The noble shade-trees that border the streets, give it a pleasing appearance. A large public square adorns the centre of the place, which is surrounded by stately private mansions. The public buildings are, a courthouse, Masonic hall, jail, state lunatic asylum, and the halls of the Transylvania university, together with several churches and academies, and the hospitality and intelligence of its citizens, and render it a desirable southern residence.

The population in 1820, was 5,283; in 1830, 6,408; in 1840, 6,984; in 1850, ---.
Fanning's Illustrated Gazetteer of the United States.... (New York: Phelps, Fanning & Co., 1853), 343.
Date Type
City Marshal of Lexington, Kentucky dies in the performance of his duty Crime/Disasters
Mary Lincoln is born in Lexington, Kentucky Personal
Senator John C. Breckinridge votes at home in Lexington, Kentucky Campaigns/Elections
The Medical College at Lexington, Kentucky heavily damaged in a fire Crime/Disasters
Zachary Taylor marries Margaret Mackall Smith in Lexington, Kentucky Personal
Birthplace of
Burial Place of
Name Type
Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, KY Location or Site
Transylvania University, Lexington, KY Location or Site
Date Title
Abraham Lincoln, Autobiography, circa June 1860
New York Times, “Speech of Mr. Breckinridge,” September 10, 1860
(Jackson) Mississippian, "Mr. Breckinridge’s Great Speech at Lexington," September 11, 1860
Fayetteville (NC) Observer, “Mum on the Great Question,” September 17, 1860
New York Times, “Rushing to Ruin,” April 26, 1861
How to Cite This Page: "Lexington, KY," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/index.php/node/9082.