Home > Lexington, Kentucky

Lexington is home to the Kentucky Horse Park, Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky. UK's basketball program is immensely popular in the city; for example, the area code (859) spells out UKY. The University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team has won more games than any other team in college basketball.

Lexington was founded in June of 1775, 17 years before Kentucky became a state. A party of frontiersmen, led by William McConnell, camped on a branch of Elkhorn Creek . Upon hearing of the colonists' victory at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775, they named their campsite Lexington to commemorate the first battle of the American Revolutionary War. Due to the danger of Indian attacks, permanent settlement was delayed for four years. In 1779, Colonel Robert Patterson and 25 companions came from Fort Harrod and erected a blockhouse. Cabins and a stockade were soon built, making the fort a place of importance. The town of Lexington was established on May 6, 1782, by an act of the Virginia General Assembly.

By 1820, it was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains. So cultured was its lifestyle, Lexington gained the nickname " Athens of the West."

Within a day's drive of 75% of the population of the United States, Lexington is strategically located at the intersection of InterstateThe Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways commonly called the interstate highway system is a network in the United States of interstate highways or simply interstates . Nearly every interstate highway is a controlled-acces 64 and 75. Lexington is accessible by air with approximately 100 direct and nonstop flights.

In 1970, the governments of the city of Lexington and Fayette County, KentuckyFayette County is a county located in the U. State of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 260,512. In 1970, its government merged with that of its county seat of Lexington 6, creating the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government''. History One of thr combined to create the current Lexington-Fayette Urban County GovernmentLexington-Fayette is a short term for Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government the governmental entity created in 1970 when the city of Lexington merged with Fayette County, Kentucky. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 260,512.. The estimated 2000 population of Lexington-Fayette was 260,512. The estimated 2000 population of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA), comprised of BourbonBourbon County is a county located in the U. State of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 19,360. Its county seat is Paris, Kentucky 6. Geography According to the U. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755 km² (292 mi²). 755 km² (291 mi²) of, ClarkClark County is a county located in the U. State of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population is 33,144. Its county seat is Winchester, Kentucky 6. Geography According to the U. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 661 km² (255 mi²). 659 km² (254 mi²), Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford County, is 424,778.

There are over 230 churches and synagogues in Lexington, representing 38 denominations.

Daily morning newspaper: Lexington Herald-Leader