Franklin County,
Kentucky
claims 212 square miles of the lovely central
Bluegrass
Region. Miles of undulating hills greet visitors venturing to
Franklin County, which is home to 47,687 people according to the
2000 Census. Franklin County, KY is named in honor of
American
Founding Father
Benjamin Franklin, and was formed from parts of
Mercer,
Shelby
and
Woodford counties in 1795.
Franklin County is home to Kentucky’s
illustrious capital city of
Frankfort,
whose metro area encompasses the majority of the county. Frankfort,
named for ‘Frank’s Ford’, also serves as the seat of Franklin County.
Frankfort, KY stretches along the banks of the
Kentucky River in one of the
nation’s loveliest
river valleys and is home to nearly 28,000 residents.
Franklin County, KY is centrally located, with convenient access to
three full-service airports and a sophisticated highway system that
includes
U.S. 60,
I-64 and I-75.
The Franklin County / Frankfort area is part of
Kentucky’s ‘Golden Triangle’, placing it with easy reach of the
urban amenities found in
Lexington,
Louisville and
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Lexington, KY is
25 miles away and
Louisville,
KY is 50 miles away.
Cincinnati, OH is 70 miles outside of the Frankfort city limits.
Franklin County, Kentucky features a gently rolling countryside with
rich, fertile soil suitable for agriculture. Crops raised locally
include corn, hay, tobacco and various vegetables. As the region’s
center of culture and commerce,
Frankfort boasts the benefits of several sizable manufacturing and
technology companies as well as a business-friendly convention center.
Frankfort, KY is also home to the
Kentucky State University,
a historically black university, which provides excellent academic and
career options that play a significant role in the area’s prosperous
economy.
Steeped in history and graceful southern culture, Franklin County is
home to an abundance of unique architectural styles and a wide array of
well-known landmarks.
Frankfort offers several walking tours, whose various themes range
from the Civil War
era to the ‘Murder and Mayhem’ tour. The renowned
Frankfort Cemetery rests on a hillside overlooking the Kentucky
River and is the burial of historic figures such as
Daniel Boone and seventeen of Kentucky’s governors. Other historic
sites of interest include
Buffalo Trace,
Fort Hill, the
Governor’s
Mansion, the
Kentucky Military History Museum, the
Old State Capitol and
Rebecca Ruth’s
Candy Factory.
Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate an intimate look at the native
Kentucky vegetation found at the
Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Game Farm and the Salato
Wildlife Education Center. Additionally, the
Clyde F. Buckley Wildlife Sanctuary provides bird lovers with a
374-acre habitat, complete with hiking trails and a nature center
officiated by the
National Audubon Society.
Elkhorn Creek and the Kentucky River, along with Franklin County’s
scenic parks, provide a wide range of recreational activities with
something for everyone. Visitors enjoy driving through the strikingly
natural beauty of the countryside, as they discover sites such as the
Switzer Covered Bridge.
Franklin County,
Kentucky offers the warmth and charm of a historic
American
capital city, providing serene rural areas and a respite from big city
living. The balance of picturesque landscapes with academic, business
and recreational activities, sets the stage for a lovely community to
call home.
