106-464: Bell Court is a neighborhood and historic district immediately southeast of Downtown Lexington, Kentucky , United States . Its boundaries are East Main Street to the south, Walton Avenue to the south, Midland Avenue to the north, and Boonesborough Avenue to the east. This Fayette County, Kentucky state location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . This article about
212-755: A captain in the Virginia militia. He was preparing to lead an expedition of 90 men down the Ohio River when hostilities broke out between the Shawnee and settlers on the Kanawha frontier; this conflict eventually culminated in Lord Dunmore's War . Most of Kentucky was not inhabited by Indians, although such tribes as the Shawnee , Cherokee , and Seneca (of the Iroquois Confederacy) used
318-462: A ceremonial sword . After another stroke, Clark died at Locust Grove on February 13, 1818; he was buried at Locust Grove Cemetery two days later. Clark's remains were exhumed along with those of his other family members on October 29, 1869, and buried at Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville. In his funeral oration, Judge John Rowan succinctly summed up Clark's stature and importance during
424-615: A property in Fayette County, Kentucky on the National Register of Historic Places is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Lexington, Kentucky Lexington is a consolidated city coterminous with and the county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky , United States. As of the 2020 census the city's population was 322,570, making it the second-most populous city in Kentucky (after Louisville ),
530-820: A "bluegrass music camp" for school children. For more than two decades, during the second and third weekends, UK Opera Theatre presents a Broadway medley "It's A Grand Night for Singing!" Later in June, the Gay and Lesbian Services Organization hosts the Lexington Pride Festival, which celebrates pride of the LGBTQIA+ community and welcomes allies . The festival offers live music, crafts, food, and informational booths from diverse service organizations. Lexington Mayor Jim Gray , elected in 2010 and openly gay, proclaimed June 29, 2013, as Pride Day. Lexington has one of
636-692: A 1790 U.S. government report, 1,500 Kentucky settlers had been killed in Indian raids since the end of the Revolutionary War. In an attempt to end the raids, Clark led an expedition of 1,200 drafted men against Native American villages along the Wabash River in 1786. The campaign, one of the first actions of the Northwest Indian War , ended without a victory. After approximately three hundred militiamen mutinied due to
742-449: A common education at Donald Robertson's school, where fellow students included James Madison and John Taylor of Caroline . He was also tutored at home, as was usual for the children of Virginia planters in this period. There was no public education. His grandfather trained him to be a surveyor . In 1771 at age 19, Clark left his home on his first surveying trip into western Virginia. In 1772, he made his first foray into Kentucky via
848-570: A diverse, balanced business base". The Lexington Metro Area had an unemployment rate of 3.7% in August 2015, lower than many cities of similar size. The city is home to several large corporations. Sizable employment is generated by four Fortune 500 companies: Xerox (which acquired Affiliated Computer Services ), Lexmark International , Lockheed-Martin , and IBM , employing 3,000, 2,800, 1,705, and 552, respectively. United Parcel Service , Trane , and Amazon.com, Inc. have large operations in
954-511: A female householder with no husband present, and 27% were non-families. 28.4% of households were home to children under the age of 18. The average household size was 2.37, and the average family size was 2.99. 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. In 2019, 20.9% of residents were under the age of 18, 14.2% were from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% were 65 years of age or older. The median age
1060-495: A free black from Virginia, had a congregation of 1,820 persons. At that time, First African Baptist Church had the largest congregation of any church, black or white, in the state of Kentucky. City school superintendent Massillon Alexander Cassidy (1886–1928) implemented Progressive Era reforms. He focused on upgrading the buildings and setting up teacher-training. He emphasized the need to improve literacy rates and expand access to public schooling. Cassidy's own philosophy stressed
1166-470: A lack of supplies, Clark had to withdraw, but not before concluding a ceasefire with the native tribes. It was rumored, most notably by James Wilkinson , that Clark had often been drunk on duty. When Clark learned of the accusations, he demanded an official inquiry, but the Virginia governor declined his request and Virginia Council condemned Clark's actions. With Clark's reputation tarnished, he never again led men in battle. Clark left Kentucky and moved across
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#17328021000351272-626: A manufacturer of large ceiling fans and lighting fixtures for industrial, commercial, agricultural, and residential use; A&W Restaurants , a restaurant chain known for root beer ; and Fazoli's , an Italian-American fast-food chain. The city's largest employer, the University of Kentucky , employed 16,743 as of 2020. Other sizable employers include the Lexington-Fayette County government and other hospital facilities. The Fayette County Public Schools employ 5,374, and
1378-580: A march on Fort Detroit, Clark used his own resources and borrowed from his friends to continue his campaign after the initial appropriation had been depleted from the Virginia legislature. He re-enlisted some of his troops and recruited additional men to join him. Hamilton waited for spring to begin a campaign to retake the forts at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, but Clark planned another surprise attack on Fort Sackville at Vincennes. He left Kaskaskia on February 6, 1779, with about 170 men, beginning an arduous overland trek, encountering melting snow, ice, and cold rain along
1484-517: A nonpartisan mayor-council form of government, with 12 council districts and three members elected at large, with the highest vote-getter designated vice mayor. Lexington was named in June 1775, in what was then considered Fincastle County, Virginia , 17 years before Kentucky became a state . A party of frontiersmen, led by William McConnell, camped on the Middle Fork of Elkhorn Creek (now known as Town Branch and rerouted under Vine Street) at
1590-637: A petition to the Virginia General Assembly , asking Virginia to formally extend its boundaries to include Kentucky. Clark and Jones traveled the Wilderness Road to Williamsburg , where they convinced Governor Patrick Henry to create Kentucky County, Virginia . Clark was given 500 lb (230 kg) of gunpowder to help defend the settlements and was appointed a major in the Kentucky County militia. Although he
1696-574: A proclamation forbidding Americans from violating U.S. neutrality and threatened to dispatch General Anthony Wayne to Fort Massac to stop the expedition. The French government recalled Genêt and revoked the commissions he granted to the Americans for the war against Spain. Clark's planned campaign gradually collapsed, and he was unable to convince the French to reimburse him for his expenses. Clark's reputation, already damaged by earlier accusations at
1802-479: A result, he moved to Locust Grove , a farm eight miles (13 km) from the growing town of Louisville, and became a member of the household of his sister, Lucy, and brother-in-law, Major William Croghan, a planter. In 1812 the Virginia General Assembly granted Clark a pension of four hundred dollars per year and finally recognized his services in the Revolutionary War by presenting him with
1908-610: A retaliatory force that defeated the Shawnee at the village of Peckuwe. It has been commemorated as George Rogers Clark Park near Springfield, Ohio . In 1781, Virginia Governor Thomas Jefferson promoted Clark to brigadier general and gave him command of all the militia in the Kentucky and Illinois counties. As Clark prepared to lead another expedition against the British and their allies in Detroit, General Washington transferred
2014-858: A secret expedition to capture the British-held villages at Kaskaskia , Cahokia , and Vincennes in the Illinois country . Governor Henry commissioned him as a lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Regiment of the Virginia State Forces and authorized him to raise troops for the expedition. The unit originally was raised as a special Virginia militia regiment for defense of the Western Department. Clark and his officers recruited volunteers from Pennsylvania , Virginia, and North Carolina. Clark arrived at Redstone ,
2120-591: A settlement on the Monongahela River south of Fort Pitt on February 1, where he made preparations for the expedition over the next several months. The men gathered at Redstone and the regiment departed from there on May 12, proceeding on boats down the Monongahela to Fort Pitt to take on supplies and then down the Ohio to Fort Henry and on to Fort Randolph at the mouth of the Kanawha. They reached
2226-545: A similar fashion without firing a shot. The garrison at Vincennes along the Wabash River surrendered to Clark in August. Several other villages and British forts were subsequently captured, after British hopes of local support failed to materialize. To counter Clark's advance, Hamilton recaptured the garrison at Vincennes, which the British called Fort Sackville, with a small force in December 1778. Prior to initiating
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#17328021000352332-453: A small group of regulars to assist, but the detachment was disastrously defeated in August 1781 before they could meet up with Clark. This ended the western campaign. In August 1782, another British-Indian force defeated the Kentucky militia at the Battle of Blue Licks . Clark was the militia's senior military officer, but he had not been present at the battle and was severely criticized in
2438-573: A war hero of the Revolutionary War in the West, especially as the leader of the secret expeditionary forces that captured Kaskaskia, Cahokia, and Vincennes in 1778–79. Some historians have suggested that the campaign supported American claims to the Northwest Territory during negotiations that resulted in the Treaty of Paris (1783) . Clark's Grant, the large tract of land on the north side of
2544-408: A wide variety of trades. Farms raised commodity crops of tobacco and hemp, and thoroughbred horse breeding and racing became established in this part of the state. By 1850, Lexington had the highest concentration of enslaved people in the entire state. The city also had a significant population of free blacks , who were often of mixed race. By 1850, First African Baptist Church, led by London Ferrill ,
2650-857: Is held at the Kentucky Horse Park . It includes a 3 mi (4.8 km) drive through the park, showcasing numerous displays, many in character with the horse industry and history of Lexington. The "Mini-Train Express", an indoor petting zoo featuring exotic animals, the International Museum of the Horse, an exhibit showcasing the Bluegrass Railway Club's model train, and Santa Claus are other major highlights. Other events and fares include: Additional historic sites include: The University of Kentucky Art Museum
2756-700: Is in the northern periphery of the humid subtropical climate zone ( Köppen : Cfa ), with hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters with occasional mild periods; it falls in USDA hardiness zone 6b. The city and the surrounding Bluegrass region have four distinct seasons that include cool plateau breezes; moderate nights in the summer; and no prolonged periods of heat, cold, rain, wind, or snow. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 33.9 °F (1.1 °C) in January to 76.7 °F (24.8 °C) in July, while
2862-599: Is not one of the signees, an Alexander McConnell is. Within two years of signing the Agreement, both John and Jacob Wymore were killed by Indians in separate incidents outside the walls of "Fort Lexington". In December 1781, a huge caravan of around 600 pioneers from Spotsylvania County, Virginia—dubbed "The Travelling Church"—arrived in the Lexington area. Led by the preacher Lewis Craig and Captain William Ellis,
2968-462: Is recognized as a high allergy area by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America . The Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Bourbon , Clark , Fayette, Jessamine , Scott , and Woodford Counties. The MSA population is 516,811 as of the 2020 census. The Lexington–Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort combined statistical area had a population of 747,919 in 2020. This includes
3074-618: Is the oldest black Baptist congregation in Kentucky and the third-oldest in the United States. In the early 1800s, Lexington was a rising city of the vast territory to the west of the Appalachian Mountains; Josiah Espy described it in a published version of his notes as he toured Ohio and Kentucky: Lexington is the largest and most wealthy town in Kentucky, or indeed west of the Allegheny Mountains;
3180-542: Is the premier art museum for Lexington and the only accredited museum in the region. Its collection of over 4,000 objects ranges from Old Masters to Contemporary. It regularly hosts special exhibitions. The local Woolworth's building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as a site of protests during the Civil Rights Movement against segregation during
3286-517: The Falls of the Ohio in early June where they spent about a month along the Ohio River preparing for their secret mission. In July 1778, Clark led about 175 men of the Illinois Regiment and crossed the Ohio River at Fort Massac and marched to Kaskaskia , capturing it on the night of July 4 without firing their weapons. The next day, Captain Joseph Bowman and his company captured Cahokia in
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3392-497: The Indiana Canal Company in 1805 to build a canal around the Falls of the Ohio , near Clarksville, Clark was named to the board of directors. He became part of the surveying team that assisted in laying out the route of the canal. The company collapsed the next year before construction could begin, when two of the fellow board members, including Vice President Aaron Burr , were arrested for treason. A large part of
3498-818: The Interstate 64 / Interstate 75 interchanges. In 1996, the USA was expanded when 5,300 acres (21 km ) of the RSA were acquired through the expansion area master plan (EAMP). This was controversial: this first major update to the comprehensive plan in over a decade was accompanied by arguments among residents about the future of Lexington and the Thoroughbred farms. The EAMP included new concepts of impact fees, assessment districts, neighborhood design concepts, design overlays, mandatory greenways , major roadway improvements, storm water management, and open-space mitigation for
3604-853: The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra perform at this event. On the Fourth, events include a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Old Courthouse, a 10K run , a parade, street vendors for wares and food, and fireworks. The Woodland Arts Fair, an outdoor art fair hosted by the Lexington Art League in the summer, is almost five decades old and attracts over 70,000 attendees. "Southern Lights: Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights", which takes place from November 18 to December 31,
3710-543: The Northwest Territory (then part of the British Province of Quebec ) and earned Clark the nickname of "Conqueror of the Old Northwest". The British ceded the entire Northwest Territory to the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris . Clark's major military achievements occurred before his thirtieth birthday. Afterward, he led militia forces in the opening engagements of the Northwest Indian War , but
3816-562: The Ohio River at Pittsburgh and spent the next two years surveying the Kanawha River region, as well as learning about the area's natural history and customs of the various tribes of Indians who lived there. In the meantime, thousands of settlers were entering the area as a result of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix of 1768, by which some of the tribes had agreed to peace. Clark's military career began in 1774, when he served as
3922-489: The United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 285.5 sq mi (739 km ), of which 284.5 sq mi (737 km ) is land and 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km ), or 0.35%, is covered by water. Lexington features a diverse cityscape. Lexington has had to manage a rapidly growing population while working to maintain the character of the surrounding horse farms that give
4028-760: The United States Congress . Due to haphazard record keeping on the frontier during the war, Virginia refused payment, claiming that Clark's receipts for his purchases were "fraudulent". As compensation for his wartime service, Virginia gave Clark a gift of 150,000 acres (610 km ) of land that became known as Clark's Grant in present-day southern Indiana, while the soldiers who fought with Clark also received smaller tracts of land. The grant and his other holdings gave Clark ownership of land that encompassed present-day Clark County, Indiana , and portions of adjoining Floyd and Scott Counties. Although Clark had claims to tens of thousands of acres of land,
4134-523: The federal prison system ; it is known as the Federal Medical Center, Lexington and serves a variety of health needs for prisoners. Lexington also served as the headquarters for a pack horse library in the late 1930s and early 1940s. The Lexington-Fayette metro area includes five additional counties: Clark , Jessamine , Bourbon , Woodford , and Scott . This is the second-largest metro area in Kentucky after Louisville. According to
4240-489: The poverty line , including 17.6% of those under the age of 18 and 9.4% of those ages 65 and older. The table below illustrates the population growth of Fayette County since the first U.S. Census in 1790. Lexington city limits became coterminous with Fayette County in 1974. Sources: Lexington has one of the nation's most stable economies. Lexington describes itself as having "a fortified economy, strong in manufacturing, technology, and entrepreneurial support, benefiting from
4346-646: The "Conqueror of the Northwest." Because the British ceded the entire Old Northwest Territory to the United States in the Treaty of Paris , some historians, including William Hayden English , credit Clark with nearly doubling the size of the original Thirteen Colonies when he seized control of the Illinois country during the war. Clark's Illinois campaign—particularly the surprise march to Vincennes—was greatly celebrated and romanticized. More recent scholarship from historians such as Lowell Harrison has downplayed
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4452-592: The 14th-most populous city in the Southeast , and the 59th-most populous city in the United States . By land area, it is the country's 30th-largest city . Lexington is known as the "Horse Capital of the World" due to the hundreds of horse farms in the region, as well as the Kentucky Horse Park , The Red Mile and Keeneland race courses. It is within the state's Bluegrass region . Notable locations within
4558-476: The 1960s. Activists conducted sit-ins to gain integrated lunch service, full access to facilities, and more employment. However, in 2004, the building was demolished by its owner, and the area was paved for use as a parking lot until further development. Pablo Eskobear , the American black bear that overdosed on cocaine that was dropped from smuggler Andrew C. Thornton II 's airplane—an incident which inspired
4664-679: The 2023 movie Cocaine Bear —has been stuffed and can be visited at the Kentucky for Kentucky Fun Mall. The Kentucky Wildcats , the athletic program of the University of Kentucky, is Lexington's most popular sports entity. The school fields 22 varsity sports teams, most of which compete in the Southeastern Conference as a founding member. The men's basketball team is one of the winningest programs in NCAA history, having won eight national championships. The basketball program
4770-819: The American Revolutionary War. As the American Revolutionary War began in the East , Kentucky's settlers became involved in a dispute about the region's sovereignty. Richard Henderson , a judge and land speculator from North Carolina , had purchased much of Kentucky from the Cherokee by an illegal treaty. Henderson intended to create a proprietary colony known as Transylvania , but many Kentucky settlers did not recognize Transylvania's authority over them. In June 1776, these settlers selected Clark and John Gabriel Jones to deliver
4876-754: The Armies of France and Commander-in-chief of the French Revolutionary Legion on the Mississippi River". Clark began to organize a campaign to seize New Madrid , St. Louis , Natchez , and New Orleans , getting assistance from old comrades such as Benjamin Logan and John Montgomery , and winning the tacit support of Kentucky governor Isaac Shelby . Clark spent $ 4,680 (equivalent to $ 84,020 in 2023) of his own money for supplies. In early 1794, however, President Washington issued
4982-648: The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government employs 2,699. Central Baptist Hospital, Saint Joseph Hospital , Saint Joseph East, and the Veterans Administration Hospital employ 7,000 persons in total. June has two popular music festivals: Bluegrass and Broadway. The Festival of the Bluegrass , Kentucky's oldest bluegrass music festival, is in early June; it includes three stages for music and
5088-440: The Ohio River that he received as compensation for his military service, included a large portion of Clark County, Indiana, and portions of Floyd and Scott Counties, as well as the present-day site of Clarksville, Indiana, the first American town laid out in the Northwest Territory (in 1784). Clark served as the first chairman of the Clarksville, Indiana, board of trustees. Clark was unable to retain title to his landholdings. At
5194-421: The Ohio River to the Indiana frontier, near present-day Clarksville, Indiana . Following his military service, and especially after 1787, Clark spent much of the remainder of his life dealing with financial difficulties. Clark had financed the majority of his military campaigns with borrowed funds. When creditors began pressuring him to repay his debts, Clark was unable to obtain reimbursement from Virginia or
5300-419: The Ohio Valley's native tribes to Allan Bowie Magruder and archaeological evidence related to the Mound Builders to John P. Campbell. In later life Clark continued to struggle with alcohol abuse , a problem which had plagued him on-and-off for many years. He also remained bitter about his treatment and neglect by Virginia, and blamed it for his financial misfortune. When the Indiana Territory chartered
5406-446: The Travelling Church established numerous churches, including the South Elkhorn Christian Church in Lexington. On May 6, 1782, the town of Lexington was chartered by an act of the Virginia General Assembly . Around 1790, the First African Baptist Church was founded in Lexington by Peter Durrett , a Baptist preacher and slave held by Joseph Craig. Durrett had helped guide " The Travelling Church " on its trek to Kentucky. This church
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#17328021000355512-479: The United States, they "should know that the next thing would be the Tomahawk" with "Your Women & Children given to the Dogs to eat". The proposed expedition was never carried out due to budgetary concerns. After Clark's victories in the Illinois country, settlers continued to pour into Kentucky and spread into and develop the land north of the Ohio River. On December 17, 1783, was Clark appointed Principal Surveyor of Bounty Lands. From 1784 to 1788 Clark served as
5618-465: The Virginia Council for the disaster. In response November 1782, Clark led another expedition into the Ohio country, destroying several Indian villages along the Great Miami River , including the Shawnee village of Piqua, Miami County, Ohio . This was the last major expedition of the war. The importance of Clark's activities during the Revolutionary War has been the subject of much debate among historians. As early as 1779 George Mason called Clark
5724-407: The Virginia militia, and with Virginia's support, Clark's campaign into the Illinois country helped strengthen Virginia's claim on lands in the region as it came under the control of the Americans. Clark's military service in the interior of North America also helped him became an "important source of leadership and information (although not necessarily accurate) on the West." Clark is best known as
5830-518: The annual mean temperature is 56.3 °F (13.5 °C). On average, 25 days at or above 90 °F (32 °C) occur annually and 23 days per winter where the high is at or below freezing. Annual precipitation is 49.84 in (1,270 mm), with the late spring and summer being slightly wetter; snowfall averages 14.5 in (37 cm) per season. Extreme temperatures range from −21 °F (−29 °C) on January 24, 1963, to 108 °F (42 °C) on July 10 and 15, 1936. Lexington
5936-422: The area for hunting. Tribes in the Ohio country who had not been party to the treaty signed with the Cherokee were angry, because the Kentucky hunting grounds had been ceded without their approval. As a result, they tried to resist encroachment by the American settlers, but were unsuccessful. Clark spent a few months surveying in Kentucky, as well as assisting in organizing Kentucky as a county for Virginia prior to
6042-581: The attempt. Kentucky militiamen generally preferred to defend their own territory and stay closer to home, rather than make the long and potentially perilous expedition to Detroit. Clark returned to the Falls of the Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky , where he continued to defend the Ohio River valley until the end of the war. In June 1780, a mixed British-Indian force, including Shawnee , Lenape and Wyandot warriors, set out from Fort Detroit and invaded Kentucky . They captured two fortified settlements and seized hundreds of prisoners. In August 1780, Clark led
6148-422: The autobiography contains factual inaccuracies, the work includes Clark's perspective on the events of his life. Some historians believe Clark wrote his memoirs in attempt to salvage his damaged reputation and to document his contributions during the Revolutionary War. On February 2, 1793, with his career seemingly over and his prospects for prosperity doubtful, Clark offered his services to Edmond-Charles Genêt ,
6254-451: The city are Arabic , Nepali , Japanese , French , Mandarin , Kinyarwanda , Korean and Portuguese . Local estimates drawn from English Language Learner enrollment in Fayette County Public Schools estimates that approximately 23% of the total Lexington population speaks a language other than English at home. Of the 131,929 households reported in the 2019 American Community Survey , 52% were married couples living together, 15% had
6360-529: The city include venues Rupp Arena and Central Bank Center , colleges and universities such as the University of Kentucky , Transylvania University , and Bluegrass Community and Technical College , and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Headquarters. The city anchors the Lexington–Fayette metropolitan area of 516,811 people and the greater Lexington–Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort combined statistical area of 747,919 people. It has been consolidated entirely within Fayette County since 1974 and has
6466-480: The city, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is within the Lexington CSA, located in adjoining Georgetown . A Jif peanut butter plant located in the city produces more peanut butter than any other factory in the world. Notable corporate headquarters include Lexmark International , a manufacturer of printers and enterprise software; Link-Belt Construction Equipment , a designer and manufacturer of telescopic and lattice boom crawler cranes ; Big Ass Fans ,
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#17328021000356572-472: The company's $ 1.2 million (equivalent to $ 24.42 million in 2023) in investments was unaccounted for; its location was never determined. Alcoholism and poor health affected Clark during his final years. In 1809 he suffered a severe stroke . When he fell into a burning fireplace, he suffered a burn on his right leg that was so severe it had to be amputated. The injury made it impossible for Clark to continue to operate his mill and live independently. As
6678-439: The congregation of Christ Church Episcopal . London Ferrill , second preacher of First African Baptist, was one of three clergy who stayed in the city to serve the suffering victims. Farmers in the areas around Lexington held slaves for use as field hands, laborers, artisans, and domestic servants . In the city, slaves worked primarily as domestic servants and artisans, although they also worked with merchants, shippers, and in
6784-402: The controversial ambassador of revolutionary France , hoping to earn money to maintain his estate. Many Americans were outraged that the Spanish , who controlled Louisiana , denied Americans free access to the Mississippi River , their only easy outlet for long-distance commerce. The Washington administration was also unresponsive to western matters. Genêt appointed Clark "Major General in
6890-402: The critical years on the trans-Appalachian frontier: "The mighty oak of the forest has fallen, and now the scrub oaks sprout all around." Clark's career was closely tied to events in the Ohio-Mississippi Valley at a pivotal time when the region was inhabited by numerous Native American tribes and claimed by the British, Spanish, and French, as well as the fledgling U.S. government. As a member of
6996-549: The end of his life, he was poor, in ill health, and frequently intoxicated. Several years after Clark's death the government of Virginia granted his estate $ 30,000 (equivalent to $ 807,882 in 2023) as a partial payment on the debts it owed him. The Virginian government continued to repay Clark for decades; the last payment to his estate was made in 1913. Clark never married and he kept no account of any romantic relationships, although his family held that he had once been in love with Teresa de Leyba, sister of Fernando de Leyba ,
7102-639: The end of the Revolutionary War, was further maligned as a result of his involvement in these foreign intrigues. Brigadier General James Wilkinson , 2nd in command of the Legion of the United States , claimed credit for undermining Clark and for preventing supplies from being shipped down the Ohio River . In his later years Clark's mounting debts made it impossible for him to retain ownership of his land, since it became subject to seizure due to his debts. Clark deeded much of his land to friends or transferred ownership to family members so his creditors could not seize it. Lenders and their assignees eventually deprived
7208-439: The expansion was initiated, the RSA land management plan was adopted, which increased the minimum lot size in the agricultural rural zones to 40 acres (160,000 m ). In 2000, a purchase of development rights plan was adopted, granting the city the power to purchase the development rights of existing farms; in 2001, $ 40 million was allocated to the plan from a $ 25 million local, $ 15 million state grant. Lexington
7314-412: The first time. It also included a draft of the rural land management plan, which included large-lot zoning and traffic-impact controls. A pre-zoning of the entire expansion area was refuted in the plan. A 50-acre (200,000 m ) minimum proposal was defeated. Discussion of this proposal appeared to stimulate the development of numerous 10-acre (40,000 m ) subdivisions in the RSAs. Three years after
7420-605: The fort, Clark forced its surrender. In 1783, Clark, who "had a reputation as an Indian hater" and once declared that he would like to see "the whole race of Indians extirpated , that for his part he would never spare Man woman or child of them on whom he could lay his hands", publicly proposed that a 2,000-strong force be mustered in Virginia to attack Native Americans in the Ohio Valley . Clark argued that this proposed expedition would show "that [the United States] are always able to crush [Native Americans] at our pleasure". He also once told Native Americans that if they declared war on
7526-419: The fortifications, while the "Out" lots were to be "cleared" for farming. (Corn is the only crop specifically mentioned in the Articles.) It is known that several of these original settlers (perhaps many of them) served under General George Rogers Clark in the Illinois campaign (also called the Northwestern campaign) against the British in 1778–79. While the ostensible founder of Lexington, William McConnell,
7632-568: The highest concentrations of gay and lesbian couples in the United States for a city its size. Area residents gather downtown for the Fourth of July festivities, which extend for several days. On July 3, the Gratz Park Historic District is transformed into an outdoor music hall, when the Patriotic Music Concert is held on the steps of Morrison Hall at Transylvania University. The Lexington Singers and
7738-534: The importance of the campaign in the peace negotiations and the outcome of the war, arguing that Clark's "conquest" was little more than a temporary occupation of territory. Although the Illinois campaign is frequently described in terms of a harsh, winter ordeal for the Americans, James Fischer points out that the capture of Kaskaskia and Vincennes may not have been as difficult as previously suggested. Kaskaskia proved to be an easy target; Clark had sent two spies there in June 1777, who reported "an absence of soldiers in
7844-501: The journey. They arrived at Vincennes on February 23 and besieged Fort Sackville . After a siege which included the killing of 5 captive Indians on Clark's orders to intimidate the British, Hamilton surrendered the garrison on February 25 and was captured in the process. The winter expedition was Clark's most significant military achievement and became the basis of his reputation as an early American military hero. News of Clark's victory reached General George Washington , and his success
7950-460: The main street of Lexington has all the appearance of Market Street in Philadelphia on a busy day ... I would suppose it contains about five hundred dwelling houses [it was closer to three hundred], many of them elegant and three stories high. About thirty brick buildings were then raising, and I have little doubt but that in a few years it will rival, not only in wealth, but in population,
8056-464: The metro area and an additional seven counties. As of the 2020 census, there were 322,570 people, 129,784 households, and 74,761 families within the city. The population density was 1,137.3/sq mi (439.1/km ). The racial makeup of the city was 70.7% non-Hispanic White , 15.6% Black or African American , 0.3% Native American , 4.1% Asian , 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 7.4% of
8162-537: The most populous inland town of the United States ;... The country around Lexington for many miles in every direction, is equal in beauty and fertility to anything the imagination can paint and is already in a high state of cultivation. In the early 19th century, Lexington planter John Wesley Hunt became the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. Henry Clay , a lawyer who married into one of
8268-537: The northwest or for the defense of Kentucky, which was left entirely to the local population. Clark spent several months defending settlements against the Indian raiders as a leader in the Kentucky County militia, while developing his plan for a long-distance strike against the British. His strategy involved seizing British outposts north of the Ohio River to destroy British influence among their Indian allies. In December 1777, Clark presented his plan to Virginia's Governor Patrick Henry, and he asked for permission to lead
8374-478: The population. The most common spoken language in Lexington is English with the Southern American English dialect being the native and most common of the city and region, but there are approximately 196 languages from all parts of the world spoken in Lexington. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish followed by Swahili . Other more common non-English languages in
8480-511: The region helped him to become an expert on the West's natural history. Over the years he welcomed travelers, including those interested in natural history, to his home overlooking the Ohio River. Clark supplied details on the area's plant and animal life to John Pope and John James Audubon , and hosted his brother, William, and Meriweather Lewis , prior to their expedition to the Pacific Northwest . Clark also provided information on
8586-583: The region its identity. In 1958, Lexington enacted the nation's first urban growth boundary , restricting new development to an urban service area (USA). It set a minimum area requirement of 40 acres (160,000 m ) to maintain open space for landholdings in the rural service area. In 1980, the comprehensive plan was updated: the USA was modified to include urban activity centers (UACs) and rural activity centers (RACs). The UACs were commercial and light-industrial districts in urbanized areas, while RACs were retail trade and light-industrial centers clustered around
8692-565: The result of his military service and land speculation, he was "land-poor," meaning that he owned much land but lacked the resources to develop it. Clark's receipts were discovered in the Richmond Virginia's Auditors building in the early twentieth century showing that his record keeping efforts were complete and correct but not reimbursed due to the State of Virginia's incompetency, thus he was exonerated, though not officially. Although
8798-701: The same day to assist National Guard forces and local police in bringing order and peace. Marshall declared martial law in the city and had soldiers positioned throughout the area for two weeks. Lockett was eventually executed on March 11 at the Kentucky State Penitentiary in Eddyville , after being found guilty of murdering Hardman. In 1935, during the Great Depression , the Addiction Research Center (ARC)
8904-592: The site of the present-day McConnell Springs . Upon hearing of the colonists' victory in the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, they named the site Lexington. It was the first of many American places to be named after the Massachusetts town . On January 25, 1780, 45 original settlers signed the Lexington Compact, known also as the "Articles of Agreement, made by the inhabitants of
9010-531: The streets to work alongside local law enforcement. As the mob advanced on the courthouse, the National Guard opened fire, killing six and wounding 50 others. Fearing further retaliation from the mob, Morrow urged the United States Army to provide assistance. Led by Brigadier General Francis C. Marshall , approximately 1,200 federal troops from nearby Camp Zachary Taylor moved into the city
9116-420: The streets. All other National Guard troops were barred from the city streets until the fair ended. On February 9, 1920, tensions flared up again, this time over the trial of Will Lockett , a black man who murdered Geneva Hardman, a 10-year-old white girl. When a large mob gathered outside the courthouse where Lockett's trial was underway, Kentucky Governor Edwin P. Morrow massed the National Guard troops into
9222-432: The superintendent-surveyor for Virginia's war veterans, surveying lands granted to them for their service in the war. The position brought Clark a small income, but he devoted very little time to the enterprise. In 1785 Clark helped to negotiate the Treaty of Fort McIntosh and the Treaty of Fort Finney in 1786, but the violence between Native Americans and European-American settlers continued to escalate. According to
9328-452: The surrounding area into the city. Also during this time, some United States National Guard troops were camping on the edge of the city. Three troops passed in front of an African American restaurant and shoved some people on the sidewalk. A fight broke out, reinforcements for the troops and civilians both appeared, and soon a riot began. The Kentucky National Guard was summoned, and once the riot had ended, armed soldiers and police patrolled
9434-469: The town of Lexington, in the County of Kentucky ." The settlement at Lexington at this time was also known as Fort Lexington, as it was surrounded by fortifications to protect from potential attacks from British-allied Indians. The Articles allocated land by granting "In" lots of 1/2 acre to each share, along with "Out" lots of 5 acres for each share. Presumably the "In" lots were for the family dwelling inside
9540-402: The town, its surrounding area, and the fort. Clark was already aware of the fort's military strength, poor location (surrounded by houses that could provide cover to attackers), and dilapidated condition. Clark's strategy of a surprise attack and strong intelligence were critical in catching Hamilton and his men unaware and vulnerable. After killing five captive Indians by hatchet within view of
9646-489: The town." Clark's men also easily captured Vincennes and Fort Sackville. Prior to their arrival in 1778, Clark had sent Captain Leonard Helm to Vincennes to gather intelligence. In addition, Father Pierre Gibault , a local priest, helped persuade the town's inhabitants to side with the Americans. Before Clark and his men set out to recapture Vincennes in 1779, Francis Vigo provided Clark with additional information on
9752-556: The use of science, business, and expertise. He also had a paternalistic attitude toward blacks, who were in segregated public schools. Amidst the tensions between black and white populations over the lack of affordable housing in the city, a race riot broke out on September 1, 1917. At the time, the Colored A. & M. Fair (one of the largest African American fairs in the South) on Georgetown Pike had attracted more African Americans from
9858-610: The veteran of nearly all of the property that remained in his name. Clark, who was at one time the largest landholder in the Northwest Territory, was left with only a small plot of land in Clarksville. In 1803 Clark built a cabin overlooking the Falls of the Ohio, where he lived until his health failed in 1809. He also purchased a small gristmill , which Clark operated with two slaves he owned. Clark's knowledge of
9964-540: The war, but he later became famous as a leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition . The family moved from the frontier to Caroline County, Virginia , in 1756 after the outbreak of the French and Indian War . They lived on a 400-acre (1.6 km ) plantation that they later developed to a total of more than 2,000 acres (8.1 km ). Clark had little formal education. He lived with his grandfather so that he could receive
10070-813: The war. For example, Captain Nathaniel G.S. Hart commanded the Lexington Light Infantry (also known as the "Silk Stocking Boys") and was killed while a captive after the Battle of the River Raisin. Henry Clay also served as a negotiator at the Treaty of Ghent in 1814. The growing town was devastated by a cholera epidemic in 1833 , which had spread throughout the waterways of the Mississippi and Ohio valleys: 500 of 7,000 Lexington residents died within two months, including nearly one-third of
10176-642: The wealthiest families of Kentucky and served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in 1812, helped to lead the War Hawks , pushing for war with Britain to bolster the markets of American products. Six companies of volunteers came from Lexington, with a rope-walk on James Erwin's farm on the Richmond Road used as a recruiting office and barracks until the war ended. Several Lexingtonians served with prominence as officers in
10282-401: Was 34.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. The median income for a household in the city was $ 57,291 in 2019, slightly below the national average of $ 62,843, and for a family it was $ 53,264. Males living alone had a median income of $ 36,268 versus $ 30,811 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 34,442. About 8.7% of families and 14.6% of the population were below
10388-538: Was accused of being drunk on duty. He was disgraced and forced to resign, despite his demand for a formal investigation into the accusations. Clark left Kentucky to live in the Indiana Territory but was never fully reimbursed by the Virginian government for his wartime expenditures. During the final decades of his life, he worked to evade creditors and suffered living in increasing poverty and obscurity. He
10494-626: Was also the first to reach 2000 wins. Lexington is home to the Lexington Legends , a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball , an independent MLB Partner league. The minor league team plays home games at The Ballpark at 207 Legends Lane . In 2020, the team lost MLB affiliation under a new plan by the MLB. The city also hosts Lexington SC of third-division professional soccer league USL League One . The club
10600-630: Was an American military officer and surveyor from Virginia who became the highest-ranking Patriot military officer on the northwestern frontier during the Revolutionary War . He served as leader of the Virginia militia in Kentucky (then part of Virginia) throughout much of the war. He is best known for his captures of Kaskaskia in 1778 and Vincennes in 1779 during the Illinois campaign , which greatly weakened British influence in
10706-465: Was born on November 19, 1752, in Albemarle County, Virginia , near Charlottesville , the hometown of Thomas Jefferson . He was the second of ten children borne by John and Ann Rogers Clark, who were Anglicans of English and possibly Scottish descent. Five of their six sons became officers during the American Revolutionary War . Their youngest son William was too young to fight in
10812-570: Was celebrated and was used to encourage the alliance with France . General Washington recognized that Clark's achievement had been gained without support from the regular army, either in men or funds. Virginia also capitalized on Clark's success, laying claim to the Old Northwest by calling it Illinois County, Virginia . Clark's ultimate goal during the Revolutionary War was to seize the British-held fort at Detroit, but he could never recruit enough men and acquire sufficient munitions to make
10918-542: Was created as a small research unit at the United States Public Health Service hospital in Lexington. Founded as one of the first drug rehabilitation clinics in the nation, the ARC was affiliated with a federal prison. Expanded as the first alcohol and drug rehabilitation hospital in the United States, it was known as "Narco" of Lexington. The hospital was later converted to operate as part of
11024-419: Was founded in 2021 and currently plays at Toyota Stadium on the campus of Georgetown College . In October 2023, Lexington SC announced it would be building a new stadium on their youth training ground off of Athens-Boonesboro Road. It will be open by 2024, with a capacity for 5,000 fans, with up to 11,000 possible. George Rogers Clark George Rogers Clark (November 19, 1752 – February 13, 1818)
11130-454: Was involved in two failed attempts to open the Spanish -controlled Mississippi River to American traffic. Following a stroke and the amputation of his right leg, he became disabled. Clark was aided in his final years by family members, including his younger brother William , one of the leaders of the Lewis and Clark Expedition . He died of a stroke on February 13, 1818. George Rogers Clark
11236-415: Was only 24 years old, he led older but lesser ranked settlers such as Daniel Boone , James Harrod and Benjamin Logan . In 1777, the Revolutionary War intensified in Kentucky. Lieutenant-governor Henry Hamilton , based at Fort Detroit , provided weapons to his Indian allies, supporting their raids on settlers in hope of reclaiming their lands. The Continental Army could spare no men for an invasion in
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