Driving Through Harrodsburg, Kentucky скачать в хорошем качестве

Driving Through Harrodsburg, Kentucky

Harrodsburg, Kentucky, is a city deeply rooted in American history. As the county seat of Mercer County and home to 9,064 residents as of the 2020 census, this small city holds a significant place in the narrative of early American settlement. Established before Kentucky became a state, Harrodsburg is recognized as the oldest permanent American settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains. Honored by President Franklin D. Roosevelt for its historical importance, Harrodsburg remains a fascinating place where the past meets the present. The Founding and Early History of Harrodsburg 18th Century Beginnings Harrodsburg, originally known as Harrodstown (or Harrod’s Town), was founded by James Harrod on June 16, 1774. Harrod led a group of 31 men from Fort Redstone in Pennsylvania down the Monongahela and Ohio Rivers, navigating through various waterways until they reached what is now Harrodsburg. However, the settlement’s early days were fraught with danger. During Dunmore’s War, Lord Dunmore sent Daniel Boone and Michael Stoner to warn surveyors of imminent Shawnee attacks. Despite their warning, the settlers remained until a violent attack claimed the life of one of their own. This led to the temporary abandonment of Harrodstown, but the pioneers returned in 1775, determined to establish a lasting community. At the time of American independence in 1776, Harrodstown was one of only three settlements in present-day Kentucky, alongside Logan’s Fort and Boonesborough. The settlement played an essential role in the expansion of the frontier, serving as the first county seat of Kentucky (1776), Lincoln County (1780), and Mercer County (1785). A census conducted between December 1777 and October 1778 recorded 52 residents, including notable pioneers such as Squire Boone, Silas Harlan, and Isaac Hite. In 1785, the Virginia General Assembly formally recognized Harrodsburg as a town, and in 1789, it became the site of the United States District Court for the District of Kentucky under the Judiciary Act of 1789. 19th Century: Growth and Conflict By the 19th century, Harrodsburg had developed into an important regional hub. The Kentucky General Assembly incorporated the town in 1836, solidifying its status as a growing settlement. During the Civil War, Harrodsburg leaned toward the Confederate cause. However, Union control allowed for the formation of two Union regiments: the 19th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Infantry and the 11th Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry. After the Battle of Perryville in 1862, the town became a makeshift hospital for wounded soldiers. On October 10, 1862, Union forces captured 1,600 sick and wounded Confederate soldiers in Harrodsburg. The town remained under martial law for the duration of the war. The arrival of the Louisville Southern Railroad in 1888 marked a turning point for Harrodsburg’s economy and connectivity. This new transportation network allowed for easier trade and travel, further establishing the city’s importance in Kentucky. 20th Century: Preservation and Recognition In 1927, Pioneer Memorial Park—now known as Old Fort Harrod State Park—was opened to commemorate the city’s history. In 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt honored Harrodsburg with a monument recognizing it as the "first permanent settlement west of the Appalachians." Harrodsburg also played a role in World War II, with Company D of the 192nd Tank Battalion, which fought in the Battle of Bataan, hailing from the city. Harrodsburg is well connected by major highways: U.S. Route 127 runs north-south through the city. U.S. Route 127 Bypass circles Harrodsburg. U.S. Route 68 runs east-west, sometimes overlapping with U.S. 127. Kentucky Route 152 also provides east-west connectivity. Harrodsburg is served by the Mercer County School District, which includes: Mercer County Senior High School Kenneth D. King Middle School Mercer County Intermediate School Mercer County Elementary School Harlow Early Learning Center Harrodsburg Area Technology Center Harrodsburg’s economy includes major employers such as: Hitachi Astemo (automotive manufacturing) Corning Incorporated, which produces Gorilla Glass These industries contribute to the city’s economic stability and job market. Notable People from Harrodsburg Several notable individuals have called Harrodsburg home, including: Ralph G. Anderson, founder of Belcan Corporation and philanthropist Jane T. H. Cross (1817–1870), a writer Maria Thompson Daviess (1872–1924), novelist and artist George Daniel Summers (1838–1907), journalist and lawyer