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Lexington, Kentucky, United States, known as the "Horse Capital of the World," is located in the heart of the Bluegrass region. It is the second-largest city in Kentucky, after Louisville, Kentucky,[1] and the 70th largest in the United States. On January 1, 1974 Lexington became the first municipality in the Commonwealth of Kentucky to form a consolidated city-county government by merging with Fayette County. In 2005, the population estimate given by the U.S. Census Bureau was 268,080. Lexington is home to the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland race course, the Red Mile race course, Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky (UK). The area code (859) spells out UKY. UK's basketball program is immensely popular in the city and throughout the state. The University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team has won more games than any other team in college basketball history.
History
Lexington was founded in June 1775 in Virginia (17 years before Kentucky became a state). A party of frontiersmen, led by William McConnell, camped on the Middle Fork of Elkhorn Creek (today called Town Branch and rerouted under Vine Street) at the location known today as McConnell Springs. Upon hearing of the colonists' victory in the Battles of Lexington and Concord, on April 19, 1775, they named their campsite Lexington after Lexington, Massachusetts. 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." One early prominent citizen, John Wesley Hunt, became the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies. Slaves were widely held and used as laborers, field hands and domestic servants in Kentucky. In 1850, 1/5 of the state's population were slaves, and Lexington had the highest concentration of slaves in the state. However, the state attempted to remain neutral during the Civil War. Not only were both Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis born in Kentucky (less than one year and 100 miles apart), but both had spent time in Lexington. Davis attended Transylvania University in 1823 and 1824. Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was born and raised in Lexington; the couple visited the city several times after their marriage in 1842. Lexington hosted one of the first drug rehabilitation clinics, known as the "Addiction Research Center," which opened in 1935 [8]. It also has a Federal Prison. The first alcohol and drug rehabilitation hospital in the United States of America was also know as "Narco" of Lexington, as well as the "Addiction Research Center". It is now home of a Federal Prison. GeographyFayette County consists of 285.5 square miles, mostly gently rolling plateau, in the center of the inner Bluegrass Region. The area is noted for its beauty, fertile soil, excellent pastureland, and horse and stock farms. Poa pratensis (bluegrass) thrives on the limestone beneath the soil's surface, playing a major role in the area's scenic beauty and in the development of champion horses. Numerous small creeks rise and flow into the Kentucky River.
ClimateLexington is in the transition area between a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate. The average temperature in Lexington is 54.9 °F (13 °C). Annual precipitation is 45.68 inches (1,200 mm). Lexington and the Bluegrass 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. Lexington has the dubious distinction of being recognized as a high allergy area by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America [10]. The results for the spring of 2006 rank Lexington at 75th.
CityscapeLexington features a diverse cityscape. From its vibrant downtown that features much-needed infill projects to its famed horse farms, the city prides itself in featuring an urban growth boundary that includes greenbelts and strict zoning definitions. This has been done to not only protect the Bluegrass landscape from further sprawling development, but to ensure that tourism, one of its leading industries, is not affected. The city is home to several notable skyscrapers. The Lexington Financial Center is currently the tallest building, followed by Kincaid Towers, and then the World Trade Center complex. It is also home to many other notable structures, and to many new urban developments within two major districts. It also has many uncompleted projects, ranging from the 41 floor World Coal Center to an elevated park above Vine Street[2] and the Harrison Avenue viaduct. Government and politicsIn 1974, the governments of the city of Lexington and Fayette County, Kentucky combined to create the current Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Lexington has an elected mayor and city council-style of government. MayorOn November 7, 2006, Jim Newberry was elected Mayor of Lexington.[3] In January 2007, he succeeded Teresa Isaac, the city's mayor since 2000. During Isaac's tenure as Mayor, Lexington was the largest American city with an Arab-American mayor.[4] Urban County CouncilThe Urban County Council is a fifteen-member legislative group. Twelve of the members represent specific districts and serve two-year terms; three are elected city-wide as at-large council members and serve four-year terms. The at-large member with the highest number of votes in the general election automatically becomes the Vice Mayor who, in the absence of the Mayor, is the presiding officer of the Council. The current council members are:
Law enforcementPrimary law enforcement duties within Lexington are the responsibility of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Police. The Division of Police resulted from the merger of the Lexington Police Department with the Fayette County Patrol in 1974. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office is responsible for court service, including court security, prisoner transport, process and warrant service, and property tax collection. In addition, the University of Kentucky Police Department, the Transylvania University Department of Public Safety, Blue Grass Airport Public Safety, and the Kentucky Horse Park Police have jurisdiction within their geographic areas. DemographicsImage:Calvary baptist church lex ky.jpg Calvary Baptist Church, Lexington Image:CollegeoftheBible-LexKY.JPG College of the Bible, now the Lexington Theological Seminary. The estimated 2000 population of Lexington-Fayette was 260,512. The Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) includes Fayette and Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Scott, and Woodford counties. As of 2005, the MSA population stands at 429,889.[5] The Lexington-Fayette-Frankfort-Richmond, KY Combined Statistical Area, established in 2005, had an estimated population of 635,547 in 2005. This includes the metro area and an additional seven counties, although Garrard County was excluded even though it is an important commuter county. [12]. As of the census2 of 2000, there were 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the city. The population density was 353.5/km² (915.6/mi²). There were 116,167 housing units at an average density of 157.6/km² (408.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was: There were 108,288 households out of which: The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90. The age distribution was: The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males. The median income for a household in the city was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $58,677. Males had a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,109. 12.9% of the population and 8.2% of families were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older. There are over 230 churches, mosques and synagogues in Lexington, representing 38 denominations. EconomySince the early 1950s, Lexington's economy has increasingly become a manufacturing, technology-oriented, and university oriented economy. There are three public universities, five private colleges, and two theological seminaries located within the Lexington CSA. In addition, the city plays an integral part in the region as being the leading medical and commercial center. As such, Lexington is home to several large corporations. There are two Fortune 500 companies located within the city: Affiliated Computer Services and Lexmark International, employing 1,200 and 3,450 respectively[6] United Parcel Service, Trane and Amazon.com, Inc. have a large presence in the city, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is within the Lexington CSA in Georgetown. The city has a Jif peanut butter plant that produces more peanut butter than any other factory in the world. The University of Kentucky employs 10,668.[6] Not included in that tally is the College of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service, which has a staff of over 900.[7] The University is the ninth largest economic company in the state of Kentucky, with an annual budget of $1.4 billion. The College of Medicine within the University is the 21st largest company in the state. Other sizeable employers rest with the government of Lexington-Fayette County and its hospital facilities. This includes the Fayette County Public Schools, employing 4,651, and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, employing 3,936. Central Baptist Hospital, St. Joseph Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital employ 6,206 total. Education
According to the United States Census, of Lexington's population over the age of twenty-five, 22.4% hold a bachelor's degree, 11.4% hold a master's degree, and 3.1% hold a professional degree. Just 2.6% hold a doctorate degree. Lexington was also ranked #10 in a list of America's most educated cities with a population of more than 250,000, ranked by percentage of bachelor's degrees among residents 25 and older.[8] The city is served by the Fayette County Public Schools. The system consists of seven high schools, 11 middle schools, and 33 elementary schools. Three private schools also serve Lexington. The city also plays host to two traditional colleges, the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University. Other institutions of higher learning include Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Sullivan University, Spencerian College, and a newly opened distance learning extension of Indiana Wesleyan University. CultureImage:Lexington History Center.jpg The Lexington History Center in downtown Lexington. Annual cultural events and fairsLexington is home to many thriving arts organizations including a professional orchestra, two ballet companies, professional theatre, several museums including a basketball museum, several choral organizations and a highly respected opera program at the University of Kentucky. In addition, there are several events and fairs that draw people from throughout the Bluegrass. Mayfest is a free outdoor festival that takes place annually over Mother's Day weekend. Held in Gratz park between the Carnegie Center and Transylvania University, the festival typically features up to 100 art and craft booths, live entertainment throughout the weekend, food, children's activities, adult activities and literary events, free carriage rides, a traditional Morris and Maypole dance and various demonstrations. Taking part the first full weekend of June is the Festival of the Bluegrass, Kentucky's oldest bluegrass music festival. It includes three stages for music and a "music camp" that teaches the bluegrass music to school children. Also in June is the popular Broadway review presented by UK Opera Theatre, "It's A Grand Night for Singing!" Lexingtonians 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 the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra perform at this event. On the Fourth, annual festivities include a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the steps of the Old Courthouse, a waiter's race in Phoenix Park, a parade, a country music concert, and fireworks. Also, throughout the day street vendors sell their wares and food to the downtown visitors. The Fourth of July is considered to be the biggest holiday in Lexington. "Southern Lights: Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights" [13], taking place from November 18 to December 31, is held at the Kentucky Horse Park. It includes a three-mile 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 exotic animal petting zoo, the International Museum of the Horse, an exhibit showcasing the Bluegrass Railway Club's model train, and Santa Claus are other major highlights. The Lexington Christmas Parade: Held usually the first Saturday in December, the parade route follows Main Street between Midland and Broadway. Festivities include a pre-parade "Santa's Sleigh" charity race, food, light entertainment, and post-show activities.
Historical structures and museumsLexington is home to numerous museums and historical structures. One of the most famous is Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate along Richmond Road east of downtown. This two-story museum is a National Historic Landmark and was the former home of statesman Henry Clay. Another important museum is the Lexington History Center in the old Fayette County Courthouse in the heart of downtown. It offers two museums, one dedicated to the history of the region and the other dedicated to public safety. A third museum, devoted to the history of pharmaceuticals in the Bluegrass, is under construction. It will also be home to the Isaac Scott Hathaway Museum in 2007 as well.
MediaLexington's largest daily circulating newspaper is the Lexington Herald-Leader. It is also home to another daily circulating newspaper, two weekly publications, and several bi-weekly and monthly papers. The region is also served by seven primary television stations, including WLEX, WKYT, WTVQ, The CW, and WKLE. The state's public television network, Kentucky Educational Television (KET), is headquartered in Lexington and is one of the nation's largest public networks. Lexington is also host to eighteen radio stations. Parks and outdoor attractionsLexington is home to two historic horse racing tracks. Keeneland, sporting live races in April and October since 1936, is steeped in tradition where much has not changed since the track's opening. The Red Mile Harness Track is the oldest horse racing track in the city, and second oldest in the nation. This is where horses pull two-wheeled carts called sulkies while racing, also referred to as harness racing. The Kentucky Horse Park, located along scenic Iron Works Pike, is a relatively late-comer to Lexington, opening in 1978. It is a working horse farm and an educational theme park, along with holding the distinction of being a retirement home for some of the world's greatest competition horses. It will play host to the 2010 World Equestrian Games [15]. The city also plays host to historic McConnell Springs, a 26-acre park within the industrial confines off of Old Frankfort Pike.[9] There are two miles of trails that surround the namesake springs, historic dry-laid stone fences, and historical structures. Raven Run Nature Sanctuary is a 734 acre establishment along the Kentucky River Palisades.[9] There are over ten miles of hiking trails, with one that provides a scenic overlook of the canyon-like limestone highwalls along the river. Lexington also has two public 18-hole disc golf courses at Shillito Park and at Veterans Park. The city also has three dog parks, at Jacobson Park, Masterson Station Park, and Coldstream Park. The city's only public skate park is at Woodland Park, featuring 12,000 square feet of "ramps, platforms, bowls, and pipes." Numerous other facilities, such as Shillito Park, offer baseball diamonds, picnic facilities, and swimming pools.[9] SportsLexington is home to the Lexington Legends, a Class A minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros. Since its creation in 2001, Lexington has produced three major leaguers, the first being John Buck (Catcher) who plays for the Kansas City Royals, followed by Kirk Saarloos (Starting Pitcher) who is with the Cincinnati Reds and Mike Gallo (Relief Pitcher), who is currently with the Astros. The Legends belong to the SAL (South Atlantic League), have one league title (2001) and 4 playoff appearances since 2001. Future Hall of Fame hurler Roger Clemens pitched in one game for the Legends in 2006 as part of his preparation to return to the Houston Astros. The Lexington Horsemen are an indoor football team in the United Indoor Football league. The University of Kentucky fields 22 varsity sports teams, most of which compete in the Southeastern Conference. The most famous team by far is the men's basketball team, The University of Kentucky Wildcats. The Kentucky Men's Basketball team has won 7 NCAA Championships and is the winningest program in college basketball history. Transylvania University competes in NCAA Division III athletics. Lexington was also home to the Kentucky Thoroughblades, a minor league (AHL) hockey team that played between 1996 and 2001. From 2002-2003, the ECHL Men O' War played minor league hockey in Lexington. In addition, Lexington is home to two horse racing tracks. At Keeneland, thoroughbred horses race while at The Red Mile harness racing is the featured competition. It is also home to the Rolex Kentucky Three Day, one of the top 5 annual equestrian eventing competitions in the world.
TransportationHighwaysLexington is serviced by both Interstate 64 and Interstate 75, though neither they nor any other freeway run through the city proper. New Circle Road (KY 4) acts as an inner-beltway around the city, Man o' War Boulevard is a semi outer-beltway south of New Circle Road, and numerous U.S. routes and arterial highways radiate out from downtown to provide access to the numerous bedroom communities ringing the metropolitan area. Citation Boulevard is planned to provide some relief to northern New Circle between Leestown Road and Russell Cave Road. Lexington suffers considerable traffic congestion for a city of its size due to the lack of out- or inbound freeways, the proximity of the University of Kentucky to downtown, and the substantial number of commuters from outlying towns. AirLexington is accessible by air with approximately 65 direct and nonstop flights daily from the two runways of Blue Grass Airport. Six major airlines operate connection serice of Blue Grass, including American Eagle, Delta Air Lines, Continental Express, Northwest Airlink, United Express, and US Airways Express. The airport is located four miles (six km) west of the city along US 60 (Versailles Road). Public transportation
Lexington is served by the public transit city bus system called LexTran, running eight routes from 5 AM to Midnight all week from a bus transit center in the downtown area. LexTran is a private company partially funded by the city government. In 2004, the system received additional funding from a vote to increase Lexington's property tax. Transportation PlanningThe Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization is responsible for transportation planning for Fayette and Jessamine Counties. This includes activities such as carpool matching, administering a commuter vanpool program, air quality forecasting, bicycle and pedestrian planning, congestion management, and developing transportation plans and documents. Sister citiesLexington has four sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI):
All four are, like Lexington, major centers of the thoroughbred breeding industry in their respective countries. See also
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