Today in Kentucky

Localtonians wish Bland W. Ballard, born in 1761, a happy birthday.  Bland distinguished himself as a soldier, spy, and statesman.  Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Ballard… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

On October 15, 1796, the Kentucky Gazette ran the 1st written record of the Wilderness Road.  It read, “The Wilderness Road from Cumberland Gap to… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

October 14, 1803, Meriwether Lewis arrived at Clarksville, across the Ohio River from present-day Louisville, to meet up with William Clark.  Clark’s African-American slave York… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

On October 13, 1779, the Virginia Land Commission held court at St. Asaph / Logan’s Fort to resolve proper ownership of the lands in the… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

On October 12, 1808, the most important theatrical event in the Western Country occurred with the opening of Luke Usher’s New Theater in Lexington, capable… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

October 11, 1842, Joseph Desha, Kentucky’s 9th governor passed away in Georgetown, 14 years after he left office.  His family buried him on their Georgetown… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

On October 10, 1773, Daniel Boone’s eldest son died in the Boone Massacre in what is now Lee County.  Separated from his father’s leading party,… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

October 9, 1829, Pro-Slavery man Charles Wickliffe dueled Anti-Slavery George J. Trotter, the Lexington Gazette editor, shortly before 9:00 a.m. on the Scott/Fayette border.  The… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

October 8, 1862, one of Kentucky’s bloodiest and largest Civil War battles took place at the Battle of Perryville in Boyle County.  Union Major General… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY

On October 7, 1873, Louisville dedicated the 1st school in Kentucky, built with public funds solely for educating African-American children, named Central Colored School, better… Read More »TODAY IN KENTUCKY HISTORY