|
History from
Collins' History of Kentucky, 1877
|
Fayette county was formed in 1780 by
the State of Virginia and is one of the three original counties
that at one time comprised the whole district of Kentucky - and included
all the territory beginning at the mouth of the Kentucky river, and extending
up its middle fork to the head, and embracing the northern and eastern
portion of the present State. It received its name as a testimonial of
gratitude to Gen. Gilbert Mortier de La Fayette - the gallant and
generous Frenchman who volunteered as the Champion of Liberty on this side
of the Atlantic, and proved to the world, that although a nobleman by descent,
he was a republican in principle, and was more ennobled by nature than
by all the titles of hereditary rank.
Fayette county is situated in the middle
portion of the State, and lies on the waters of the Kentucky and Elkhorn.
It is bounded on the north by Scott, east by Bourbon and Clark, south by
Madison and Jessamine, and west by Woodford; being twenty-five miles from
north to south, mean breadth eleven miles, and containing 275 square miles.
It is fair table land - all the streams rise and flow from the centre of
the county, and empty into their common receptacle, the Kentucky river.
The centre of the garden of Kentucky, the surface of this county is very
gently undulating, and the soil is probably as rich and productive as any
upon which the sun ever shone. It is properly a stock raising county -
horses, mules, cattle, and hogs, in large numbers, being annually exported;
but corn and hemp are produced in great abundance - the latter being generally
manufactured in the county. |
