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Lawrence County Kentucky
Lawrence County Kentucky Map

 

County Introduction
Lawrence county was established in 1822 and named after Capt. James Lawrence (1780-1813), a naval hero of the Revolutionary War The county seat is Louisa.



 

County Origins
Lawrence County, Kentucky was formed from Floyd County and Greenup County. It was created on 14 Dec 1821.


 

County Lines Redrawn
In 1838, a part of Lawrence County was used to form Carter County.
In 1843, a part of Lawrence County was used to form Johnson County.
In 1860, a part of Lawrence County was used to form Boyd County.
In 1869, a part of Lawrence County was used to form Elliott County.
In 1870, a part of Lawrence County was used to form Martin County.

Roadside Historical Markers

Roadside historical markers introduce the history of each Kentucky Highlands County. These markers provide interesting facts about many important events, people and places throughout the Highlands.

Marker TitleMarker LocationMarker Information
Louisa in Civil WarLouisa, Courthouse lawn, US 23 River traffic caused Union forces under Gen. James A. Garfield, 20th U.S. President, to occupy Louisa Dec. 1861. CSA troops attempted capture March 12 and 25-26, 1863. Southern partisans raided area Nov. 5, 1864, burning houses and 2 steamers, and looting stores. Fort Bishop, USA, completed here just as war ended in 1865. Also called Fort Gallup and Fort Hill.
Fort BishopLouisa, Bypass USA Ft. Bishop, 100 yards west, was built to protect against CSA raids. It was named for Captain William Bishop, l00th Ohio Inf., killed in action at Dallas, Ga., May 1864. USA engineers, using detail from 109th Col. Inf., began fort, September 23, 1864. At end of war, April 1865, work was almost complete. Fort had seven field guns. Also called Ft. Gallup and Ft. Hill.
Frederick M. VinsonLouisa, Bypass "A great jurist, a distinguished Secretary of the Treasury, and a noted Congressman." Born in Louisa Jan. 22, 1890. City Atty.; Comm. Atty.; Congressman, 1923-29, 31-38. D.C. Court of Appeals, 1938-43. Director Economic Stabilization, Federal Loan Admin., Director War Mobilization. Secretary of Treasury, 1945. United States Chief Justice 1946 until his death, Sept. 8, 1953.
County Named, 1821Louisa, Courthouse lawn, US 23 For Capt. James Lawrence, whose charge, "Don't give up the ship," when mortally wounded in battle between USS CHESAPEAKE and HMS SHANNON off Boston, June 1, 1813, met highest traditions of US Navy and has inspired all Americans. Buried with honor by British in Halifax; reinterred at Trinity Church, New York. Lawrence County was formed from Greenup and Floyd.
Giant Cooling Tower1 mi. N. of Louisa, US 23 Completion of this tower in 1962 was a historic event. First of its kind in Western Hemisphere and the largest capacity of any single tower in the world when it was built. The concrete, natural draft, hyperbolic structure cools 120,000 gallons water per minute for steam condensing. Its height is 320 feet and diameters 245 at base, 130 at neck and 139 at top.
Pioneer FurnaceUS 23, S. of Louisa at Jct. of KY 644 The southernmost blast furnace in the Hanging Rock Iron Region. Built in 1881, 41/2 miles south, by Jay H. Northup, George C. Peck and Thomas Cummings. A stone stack 18 ft. high with a maximum inner diameter of 41/2 ft., it began operations in 1882, using locally mined ore and charcoal fuel made nearby. Production had ceased by 1884. See the other side.
Yatesville Covered Bridge - 1/2 mileN. of Louisa at Yatesville, KY 3 Built ca. 1900 of William Howe's truss design, the single-span wooden structure is 130 feet long and crosses Blaine Creek. The board-and-batten siding is open at the top under the eaves in a window effect, and corrugated tin provides roofing. Bridge was in general use until 1965. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1976.
East Fork Covered Bridge 1/2 mileNear Fallsburg, KY 3 Built in 1924 by John and George Riffe, this covered bridge is 42 feet long and has modified king posts. The single-span, wooden structure crosses the East Fork of Little Sandy River near Fallsburg. The bridge has concrete abutments and a corrugated tin roof. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
Eastern Kentucky RailwayWebbville, at Fire Dept., KY 201 This site became the railhead of E.K. Railway when 1.77 miles of track was laid from Willard, 1889, completing 36 miles of track from Riverton. The extension from Willard to Webbville was made primarily to provide an outlet for forest products. The Blue Goose, a gasoline-powered car, made two daily rounds to Grayson. E.K. Railway ended in bankruptcy, 1933. Presented by Eastern Ky. Railway Historical Society.

 

Historical Items For Sale