Capital City Museum;xNLx;325 Ann Street;xNLx;citymuseum@frankfort.ky.gov
For thousands of years, bison crossed the Kentucky River at Buffalo Trace on their way to the salt licks at Drennon Springs, located in what would become Henry County. At least four Native American tribes hunted and fished in the fertile Kentucky River valley.
Christopher Gist explores central and eastern Kentucky with his African American servant. Gist is most likely the first European to visit the Frankfort area.
By the treaty of Fort Stanwix, the Iroquois tribe cedes land between the Ohio and Tennessee rivers opening Settlement in Kentucky.
On July 16, James and Robert McAfee, Hancock Taylor, and others survey almost all of North Frankfort. The beginning corner is located at what is now Ann Street. On the way home this party meets Daniel Boone traveling to Kentucky.
Leestown is established near present Lock and Dam # 4 and becomes the first white settlement in Franklin County. It is named for Willis Lee. Lee is killed in 1776 and because of Native American attacks, Leestown is temporarily abandoned in 1777. In 1775 both Harrod’s Town and Boonesborough begin.
Kentucky County is created by Virginia. It is replaced in 1780 by Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln Counties. North and East Frankfort are in Fayette, Bellepoint in Jefferson, and South Frankfort in Lincoln.
Frankfort probably got its name from an incident which happened at the Kentucky River. A group traveling to make salt at Mann’s Lick is attacked near the ford where they crossed the Kentucky River. Stephen Frank is killed. The ford became known as Frank’s Ford which over time became Frankfort. Although, some scholars believe the town got its name from settlers who were from Frankfurt on Main in Germany.
General James Wilkinson founds Frankfort. He built a log house on the corner of the future Wapping and Wilkinson Streets. A contemporary, Humphrey Marshall said “ Wilkinson’s ambition was boundless as space and restless as the ocean.” Wilkinson saw the potential for trade with New Orleans by taking goods down the Kentucky River to the Ohio River and on to the Mississippi River which was controlled by the Spanish.
Rev. John Gano preaches Frankfort’s first sermon.
James Wilkinson pledges allegiance to Spain and becomes a spy known as Agent 13.
