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Be In The Know...
Discover fun facts about the great state of Kentucky!
Geography
Kentucky is the only state bordered by rivers on three sides: the Ohio River to the north, the Mississippi River to the west, and the Big Sandy River and Tug Fork to the east
Spanning 21 counties, Daniel Boone National Forest covers over 700,000 acres and is named after the famous American pioneer Daniel Boone
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Small but mighty, Frankfort is one of the smallest state capitals in the U.S., with a population of around 28,600 people
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Mammoth Cave is the longest cave system in the world, and also the U.S.'s second-oldest tourist attraction, right behind Niagara Falls. Kentucky is home to Mammoth Cave, the longest cave system in the world. It has over 400 miles of explored passageways and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Known as the “Bluegrass State,” Kentucky gets its nickname from the bluegrass found in many of its pastures due to the fertile soil.
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Fort Knox, located in Kentucky, is home to the United States Bullion Depository, which holds a large portion of the country’s gold reserves.
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Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state in the lower 48
Kentucky may not be the largest state (in fact, it's the 14th-smallest), but it's bordered by a whopping seven neighbors: Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Missouri.
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Post-It notes are produced nowhere else but Cynthiana, but the exact number manufactured each year is a closely guarded secret.
Bourbon Braggin'
Kentucky produces 95% of the world’s bourbon. With over 50 distilleries across 27 counties, it’s no wonder Kentucky is known as the bourbon capital of the world.
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There are more barrels of bourbon aging in Kentucky than there are people! With over 7.5 million barrels, that’s nearly 1.75 barrels for every resident.
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The bourbon industry pours a whopping $9 billion into Kentucky’s economy annually, supporting over 23,000 jobs and generating $358 million in tax revenue.
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After a decline in popularity during the 1970s, bourbon made a remarkable comeback in the 1990s with the introduction of small batch and single barrel products.
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Bourbon is an agricultural product that requires a lot of grain. Kentucky distillers purchase about 28.3 million bushels of corn annually, with 70% sourced from local farms.
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The Kentucky Bourbon Trail attracts over 2 million visitors each year, offering tours and tastings at various distilleries.
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In an attempt to keep up with changing tastes, bourbon manufacturers once tried creating transparent bourbon and canned mixed drinks, though these innovations didn’t catch on.
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Besides bourbon, Kentucky has a rich history of moonshine production, especially in the Appalachian region. Moonshine was often produced illegally during Prohibition
Architecture
The current Kentucky State Capitol building, completed in 1910, is the fourth building to serve as the state’s capitol. The previous three buildings either burned down or were replaced
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The Capitol building is known for its stunning Beaux-Arts architecture, featuring a grand marble staircase, beautiful murals, and a rotunda topped with a dome that rises 212 feet
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The Kentucky Governor’s Mansion, located in Frankfort, was modeled after the Petit Trianon, a small chateau on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France. It has been the official residence of Kentucky’s governors since 1914
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Covington's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption boasts the world's largest hand-blown stained glass window, a 67' x 24' depiction of the epically exciting Council of Ephesus
Special Events
The Kentucky Derby, held annually in Louisville, is the oldest continuously held horse race in the United States. It began in 1875 and is often referred to as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports"
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Thunder Over Louisville, the Derby festivities' opening ceremony, has the world's largest fireworks display
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Louder than Life and Bourbon & Beyond are yearly events that bring music and people together
Cultural
Despite its small size, Frankfort is rich in culture and history, with numerous museums, historic sites, and annual events like the Kentucky Book Fair and the Candlelight Tradition
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Kentucky is the birthplace of bluegrass music, pioneered by Bill Monroe, and is also known for its contributions to country music
Historical Figures
A Kentucky badass, Zerelda James (mom of outlaws Frank and Jesse) was actually born in a saloon—the Offutt-Cole Tavern, which still stands today at the intersection of Old Frankfort Pike and US 62 near Midway
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Kentucky is the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. He was born in a log cabin in Hardin County (now LaRue County) in 1809
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Duncan Hines, of cake mix fame, was the real deal, too, and he hailed from Bowling Green
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The name “Frankfort” comes from an early settler named Stephen Frank, who was killed at a local ford in the Kentucky River. The area became known as “Frank’s Ford,” which eventually evolved into Frankfort
Inventions
Kaelin's restaurant in Louisville claims to have invented the cheeseburger in 1934, although a Denver drive-in called Humpty Dumpty's patented it a year later
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Jif peanut butter invented here by Willian T Young from Lexington
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Bibb lettuce was developed by (and named for) John Bibb of Frankfort
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Traffic lights were invented by Garrett Morgan, a former slave from Paris, KY
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The melody of the song “Happy Birthday” was composed in 1893 by Patty and Mildred Hill, two Louisville sisters
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Mother's Day also originated in Kentucky, when Henderson schoolteacher Mary Towles Sasseen created it to honor her own mama
Historical Events
Frankfort has seen its share of dramatic events, including the assassination of Governor-elect William Goebel in 1900, who was shot on his way to be inaugurated
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The nation's first commercial oil well was actually not in Texas, but was drilled in 1819 along the banks of the Cumberland River in McCreary County