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Home , Daniel Carter Beard, Happy Chandler, Isaac Burns Murphy, Janice Holt Giles, Kentucky Horse Park, Martha Layne Collins

FAMOUS KENTUCKIANS FUN FACTS SYMBOLS

EXPLORERS, PIONEERS & FRONTIERSMEN Cora Wilson Stewart (1875-1958) Educator whose Diane Sawyer TV journalists/commentator More than 100 native Kentuckians have been elected COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY STATE BIRD - KENTUCKY CARDINAL school for adult education became a model through- Effie Waller Smith “Rhymes from the Cumberland” governors of other states. Judge (1825-1903) Infamous “hanging out the world. author/educator/poet laureate of judge” of Langtry, . Zachary Taylor* (1784-1850) 12th U.S. President, Kentucky Kentucky is one of four states to call itself a “commonwealth.” The pleasant melodies of this red- * (1734-1820) Hunted and explored 1849-1850 Allen Tate critic/poet/novelist On taking the oath of office, a Kentucky governor must Kentucky, 1767-74; cleared the Wilderness Road and Frederick Moore Vinson (1890-1953) U.S. Helen Thomas journalist, UPI White House Bureau swear he/she has never fought a duel. In 1792 when Kentucky became the 15th state - the first on the crested song bird are heard year founded Fort Boonesborough, 1775 Supreme Court Chief Justice, 1946-53 Chief western frontier - both “commonwealth” and “state” were used. round in Kentucky. The male boasts James Bowie (1796-1836) Texas , died at Whitney M. Young, Jr. (1921-1971) Civil rights Robert Penn Warren Pulitzer Prize 1947, 1958,1979 the Alamo, designed Bowie knife leader; director of the National Urban League, 1961- Kentucky had a state treasurer named “Honest Dick” Tate Commonwealth meaning government based on the common a vivid red plumage; the female is Kit Carson (1809-1868) Indian agent, trapper 71; awarded Medal of Freedom, 1969 ENTERTAINERS who embezzled $247,000 and fled the state in 1888. consent of the people, dates to the time of Oliver Cromwell’s light brown with red highlights. George Rogers Clark* (1752-1818) American England in the mid-1600s. The other U.S. commonwealths, Revolution frontier general and explorer, secured the SCIENTISTS, INVENTORS & PHYSICIANS Ned Beatty - actor Abraham Lincoln’s closest friend was Louisvillian Joshua NW Territory for the U.S., founder of Louisville, 1778 Foster Brooks - comedian Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and , were originally British John Carpenter - producer/director Speed. Floyd Collins (1887-1925) Explorer whose entrap- Ephraim McDowell* (1771-1830) Performed first colonies. Kentucky, once part of Virginia, chose to remain a ment and death in a cave became one of the most successful surgical removal of an ovarian tumor, 1809 Steven Curtis Chapman - singer STATE TREE - TULIP TREE widely reported stories of the decade Garrett A. Morgan (1877-1963) Invented first George Clooney - actor commonwealth when it separated from Virginia. Nick Clooney - actor “Happy Birthday to You” was the creation of two Louisville James Harrod* (1742-1793) Frontiersman, founder automatic, tri-color traffic signal, 1923 sisters in 1893. Sometimes called the tulip of Harrodsburg, first permanent settlement west of Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866-1945) Nobel Prize - singer poplar, it is not a poplar at all, the Alleghenies, 1774 winner in medicine for genetic research, 1933 John Conlee - singer William Conrad - actor The first observance of Mother’s Day was in Henderson by but a member of the magnolia Simon Kenton* (1755-1836) Frontier explorer, sol- Matthew B. Sellers* (1869-1932) Among first to J.D. Crowe - singer BLUEGRASS STATE dier, scout for Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark experiment with gliding and power flight Billy Ray Cyrus - singer teacher Mary S. Wilson in 1887. family. It can grow up to 145 Dr. Thomas Walker* (1715-1794) Led the first Phillip A. Sharp (1944- ) Nobel Prize winner for Jackie De Shannon - singer feet and live for 200 years. It documented expedition through Cumberland Gap, the discovery of split genes and for advancing - actor Bluegrass is not really blue - it’s 1750 research on cancer and hereditary diseases, 1993 Kentucky ranks fourth in the number of sites on the blossoms in May with yellow- Irene Dunn - actress National Register of Historic Places. green - but in the spring, blue- Nathan B. Stubblefield (1860-1928) Successfully Don & Phil Everly - singers green flowers resembling tulips. POLITICAL, MILITARY & SOCIAL LEADERS demonstrated wireless voice transmission (radio),1892 Rebecca Gayheart - actress grass produces bluish-purple buds John T. Thompson (1860-1940) Inventor of the Crystal Gayle - singer The great Man o’ War won all of his 21 races except one, Alben W. Barkley (1877-1956) U.S. Vice President Tommygun machine gun Haven Gillespie - songwriter that, when seen in large fields, under Harry Truman 1949-53 Lillian Gish - actress which he lost to a horse called Upset. give a rich blue cast to the grass. Daniel Carter Beard* (1850-1941) Founded Boy ARTISTS & ARCHITECTS D.W. Griffith - movie producer STATE HORSE STATE FISH Scouts of America, 1910 Tom T. Hall - singer Bibb lettuce was first developed in the 1850s by John B. Early pioneers found bluegrass Louis Brandeis (1856-1941) U.S. Supreme Court John James Audubon* Ornithologist, artist. Began Lionel Hampton - musician Bibb in Frankfort. growing on Kentucky’s rich limestone soil and traders began ask- Justice, 1916-39 his work on “Birds of America” in Kentucky Larnell Harris - singer ing for the seed of the “blue grass from Kentucky.” The name John Cabell Breckinridge (1872-1920) U.S. Vice Frank Duveneck painter, sculptor, educator Kentucky Headhunters - musicians President under James , 1857-61 Fontaine Fox Originated the nationally syndicated Ashley Judd - actress Cheeseburgers were first served in 1934 at Kaelin’s in stuck and today Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass State. Madeline McDowell Breckinridge (1872-1920) cartoon “The Toonerville Trolley” Naomi Judd - singer Louisville. National leader in women’s suffrage movement Matthew Harris Jouette Portrait artist Wyonna Judd - singer Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810-1903) The Lion of Paul Sawyier* Landscape artist known for scenes of Brian Littrell - singer White Hall, Ambassador to Russia, abolitionist, a Frankfort and the Patty Loveless - singer Barren County is one of the most fertile in the state. - singer STATE SEAL founder of the Republican Party Gideon Shyrock Architect; introduced Greek Thoroughbred Kentucky Bass * (1777-1852) The Great Compromiser, Revival style to the “West” Lee Majors - actor Morganfield is not in Morgan County but in Union County, U.S. senator, speaker of the U.S. House of Moneta J.Sleet, Jr. First black American to win Bill Monroe - singer John Michael Montgomery - singer Union is in Boone County, Boonesboro is in Madison The official insignia was authorized in Representatives, U.S. secretary of state Pulitzer Prize in photography, 1969 Patricia Neal - actress County, Madisonville is in Hopkins County, Hopkinsville is 1792, six months after Kentucky became ( 1936- ) First female Ky Helen M. Turner Impressionistic landscape artist, Joan Osborne - singer STATE WILD ANIMAL STATE BUTTERFLY governor, 1983-87 portraitist Annie Potts - actress in Christian County and Christianburg is in Shelby County. a state. The motto is believed to be John Sherman Copper (1901-1991) U.S. senator, First female member of the National Boots Randolph - musician from “The Liberty Song,” popular during ambassador to India and East Germany, member of Sculpture Society Kevin Richardson - singer The first commercial oil well was on the Cumberland River the Warren Commission Jeanie Ritchie - singer in McCreary County in 1819. the American Revolution, and a favorite of Jefferson Davis (1808-1889) Only President of the AUTHORS & JOURNALISTS Ricky Skaggs - singer , Kentucky’s first governor. Confederate States of America, 1861-65 Mary Travers - singer Mary Desha (1850-1911) Co-founded the James Lane Allen “The Choir Invisible,” ”A Merle Travis - singer All Chevrolet Corvettes are manufactured in Bowling Daughters of the American Revolution. Kentucky Cardinal” Steve Wariner - singer Green. John Marshall Harlan (1833-1911) U.S. Supreme Wendell E. Berry poet/novelist/environmentalist Keith Whitley - singer Court Justice, 1877-1911 William Wells Brown America’s first black novelist Dwight Yoakum - singer KENTUCKY FLAG Viceroy Butterfly Heather R. French (1974 - ) Miss America 1999- Harry Caudill political writer The first town in the U.S. to be named for our first Grey Squirrel 2000 (now Heather French Henry) Edgar Cayce psychic counselor/author SPORTS PERSONALITIES president was Washington, Kentucky in 1780. Richard M. Johnson (1780-1850) U.S. Vice Thomas D. Clark* historian laureate of Kentucky The state seal imprinted on a field President under Martin Van Buren, 1837-41 Irvin S. Cobb journalist/humorist/short story writer Muhammad Ali - boxing of navy blue was approved by the STATE GEMSTONE STATE FOSSIL John “Casey” Jones (1864-1900) Railroad engineer Joe Creason journalist Don Brumfield - Symphony #1 was the first Kentucky performance of a Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) 16th U.S. John Fox, Jr. “The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come” - Beethoven symphony in Lexington in 1817. General Assembly in 1928. The President, 1861-65 Janice Holt Giles* “The Kentuckian,” “The Steve Cauthen - jockey A.B. “Happy” Chandler - baseball original flag is displayed in Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) Wife of Abraham Enduring Hills” The world’s longest cave, Mammoth Cave, was first pro- Lincoln. A.B. Guthrie, Jr.* Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Denny Crum* - Frankfort at the Kentucky History McCoys of the Hatfield-McCoy feud, resolved in Duncan Hines restaurant-guide publisher Darrell Griffith - basketball moted in 1816, making it the second oldest tourist Center. 1888 Annie Fellows Johnston* “The Little Colonel” Paul Hornung - football attraction in the U.S., preceded only by Niagara Falls. Tamara McKinney - skiing John Hunt Morgan* (1825-1864) The Thunderbolt series Mary Meagher - swimming of the Confederacy, Confederate general Barbara Kingsolver novelist - jockey Carrie A. Nation (1846-1911) Temperance crusad- Bobbie Ann Mason novelist - baseball STATE FLOWER - GOLDENROD er known as “the lady with a hatchet” Ed McClanahan novelist Adolph Rupp* - basketball Fresh Water Pearl Brachiopod Colonel Harland Sanders* (1890-1980) Kentucky Thomas Merton* essayist on spiritual and social Woody Stephens - horse trainer For free Kentucky travel information go to Fried Chicken founder issues Danny Sullivan - auto racing The golden plumes of this wildflower John Thomas Scopes (1900-1970) Defendant in J.T. Cotton Noe Kentucky’s first poet laureate, 1926 Wes Unseld - basketball STATE SONG famous “monkey Trial” for violating a law Marsha Norman Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Darrell Waltrip - auto racing www.kentuckytourism.com line Kentucky’s roadsides in the fall. against teaching evolution Theodore O’Hara “Bivouac of the Dead” Native to all of Kentucky, 30 of “” Stephen Collins Foster - 1853 Franklin R. Sousley, PFC (1925-1945) Helped John Ed Pearce* Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist or write TRAVEL, PO Box 2011, Frankfort, KY 40602 raise the U.S. flag at Iwo Jima; immortalized in the Alice Hegan Rice “Mrs. Wiggins of the Cabbage nearly 100 species of this herb are most famous war photograph in history Patch” found here. STATE BLUEGRASS SONG Adlai Stevenson (1835-1914) U.S. Vice President Elizabeth Madox Roberts “The Time of Man,” You may also call us at “Blue Moon of Kentucky” Bill Monroe - copyright 1947 under Grover , 1893-97 “The Great Meadow” * Not born in Kentucky 1-800-225-TRIP (8747) KENTUCKY FACTS KENTUCKY HISTORY KENTUCKY TRADITIONS

CAPITAL POPULATION Modern archaeologists classify Kentucky's prehistoric past into In 1818, the westernmost region of the state was annexed, fol- HORSES Kentucky’s native horse breed, the , is also Frankfort, on the Kentucky River in central Kentucky, is known for one of In 2000, Kentucky’s population was 4,041,769. The largest cities are: six cultures which spanned from 13,000 BC to 1,650 AD. These lowing its purchase from the Chicasaw Indians. The world knows Kentucky for its featured at the museum. The has year- the most beautiful capitol buildings in the country. During the Civil War, Lexington-Fayette County 260,512; Louisville (Jefferson County) 256,231 cultures were the Paleo-Indian culture; the Archaic culture; the bluegrass and horses. It was round special events, such as , steeplechase races, three- Frankfort was the only Union capital occupied by Confederate troops. (693,604); Owensboro 54,067; Bowling Green 49,296; Covington 43,370; Hopkinsville 30,089; Frankfort 27,741; Henderson 27,373; Richmond Woodland culture; the Adena culture; the Mississippian culture When the Civil War erupted in because of the “blue grass,” nur- day eventing, and world-class horse shows. ECONOMY 27,152; Jeffersontown 26,633; and Paducah 26,307. and the Fort Ancient culture. 1861, Kentucky was torn apart tured by deep springs and rich www.kyhorsepark.com Kentucky’s largest industry groups, based on their contribution to the http://cbpa.louisville.edu/ksdc by conflicting loyalties. limestone soil, that the first pio- total state gross product are: manufacturing; services; government; From about 1650 until the arrival of Officially a neutral state, brother neers recognized the area’s horse BOURBON insurance and real estate; retail trade; transportation and public utilities; EDUCATION the first white settlers, Shawnee often fought against brother as breeding potential. Kentucky In 1789 the Reverend Elijah Craig Kentucky has 27 senior colleges and universities, 1 junior college, 14 com- wholesale trade; construction; mining; farming; and agricultural services, tribes from north of the River Kentucky supplied approximate- was well on its way to establishing is credited with developing what forestry, and fisheries. www.thinkkentucky.com/kyedc/pdfs/kyecotrd.pdf munity colleges and 14 technical colleges, collectively enrolling nearly 200,000 students. The largest public institutions of higher learning are the and the Cherokee and Chickasaw ly 100,000 troops to the North its reputation as a horse capital long before it became a state. The would become known as bourbon AGRICULTURE , the , Eastern Kentucky tribes from south of the and 40,000 troops to the first thoroughbred was brought to Lexington in 1779, and a 1789 whiskey in Georgetown, Ky. The Kentucky’s 91,000 farms average 164 acres. Kentucky ranks high nation- University and Western Kentucky University. Kentucky also offers higher Cumberland River fought for control South. census showed even more horses than people. name “bourbon” came from Jacob ally in the production of numerous crops, including corn, hay, tobacco, education on the internet through Kentucky Commonwealth Virtual of the "Great Meadow." During this Spear’s product distilled in winter wheat and soybeans. Kentucky also ranks highly in livestock pro- University. www.kde.state.ky.us time, no Indian nation held posses- Ironically, Kentucky was the birthplace of the Union president, THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY Bourbon County in 1790. duction. Cash receipts from farm marketing in 1999 were $3.46 billion; Horses are a multi-billion dollar industry in Kentucky. Central Bourbon must contain at least 51% STATE GOVERNMENT sion of the land that would eventu- Abraham Lincoln, and the Confederate president, Jefferson the principal contributors were horse and mule sales (including stud Kentucky’s bluegrass region has the world’s greatest concentration corn and must be stored in unused charred oak barrels for at fees), tobacco, cattle and calves, broilers, dairy products and corn. Kentucky’s constitution provides for three branches of state government: ally become Kentucky. Davis. The two great men were born in log cabins within one www.kyagr.com the legislative, the judicial and the executive. year and 100 miles of each other. of thoroughbred breeding farms. More registered thoroughbred least 24 months. Kentucky is one of the world’s largest produc- Dr. Thomas Walker and Christopher Gist led the first surveying foals are produced here than any other state - more than 9,800 ers of bourbon. One reason is Kentucky’s pure limestone water. MANUFACTURING LEGISLATIVE BRANCH parties into Kentucky in 1750 and 1751, respectively, but the Kentucky’s strategic potential was were foaled in 1999. In 1999, Kentucky had more than 4,200 manufacturing firms, which Kentucky’s General Assembly, or Legislature, has two chambers, the Senate outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 delayed further recognized by both sides in the BLUEGRASS MUSIC and the House of Representatives. The Senate, with 38 members elected to added more than $38 billion to the state’s economy. Principal manufac- exploration of the state for over a decade. conflict, and several bloody RACING Bluegrass music got its name turing industries by employment figures are: transportation equipment, four-year terms, and the House, with 100 members elected to two-year The first “race path” was designated along Lexington’s Main Street and form in the 1940s from industrial machinery, food and kindred products, electronic equipment, terms, meet annually in Frankfort. The session convenes on the first Tuesday engagements and many guerrilla and fabricated metal products. www.edc.state.ky.us/edis after the first Monday in January. In even-numbered years, sessions may not Daniel Boone visited Kentucky in raids occurred throughout the in 1780, and racing has been a bluegrass tradition ever since. Kentuckian Bill Monroe and last more than 60 legislative days, and cannot extend beyond April 15. In 1767, and in 1769, with a party of state. The most violent battle took There is racing somewhere in Kentucky almost every day of the his Blue Grass Boys. In tradi- TOURISM & TRAVEL odd-numbered years, sessions may not last more than 30 legislative days, hunters led by John Finley, he place near Perryville in 1862, with year. Thoroughbreds run at in Lexington, Turfway Park tional bluegrass, a banjo is With six national areas, 49 state parks, and hundreds of recreational, nat- and cannot extend beyond March 30. returned to Kentucky for a two-year a toll of 1,600 dead and 5,400 in Florence, Ellis Park in Henderson, Players Bluegrass Downs in usually the lead instrument; ural, historic, and cultural attractions, Kentucky abounds in travel oppor- exploration of the region. wounded. Paducah, and Louisville’s Churchill Downs. There is there is no percussion or elec- tunities. Tourism and travel is Kentucky’s third largest revenue-producing The Legislature has the power to enact all laws, subject to constitutional lim- at in Lexington and Thunder Ridge in Prestonsburg. tric amplification. The industry, contributing $8.8 billion to the state’s economy in 2001. itations. Revenue-raising measures must originate in the House; all other International Bluegrass Music Museum is located in Owensboro Tourism and travel is also the second largest private employer, providing proposed laws may be introduced in either Chamber. The Governor may In 1774, James Harrod constructed After the Civil war, Kentucky’s economy underwent dramatic 168,500 jobs. www.kentuckytourism.com call the Legislature into special session to consider specific matters. the first permanent settlement in changes. As the hemp industry declined, the development of THE and Bill Monroe’s home can be toured in nearby Rosine. www.lrc.state.ky.us Kentucky at Fort Harrod, the site of burley tobacco contributed to a tremendous increase in tobacco The most famous race in the www.ibma.org GEOGRAPHY present-day Harrodsburg. Boonesboro production. world takes place ar Churchill Located in the south central along the west side of the JUDICIAL BRANCH was established in 1775, and many Downs the first Saturday in May. CRAFTS Appalachian Mountains, Kentucky ranks 37th in land size, with 39,732 Kentucky’s judicial branch is comprised of four levels of courts. At the coun- Since Aristides won the first The quality of Kentucky hand- square miles (102,907 square kilometers). The Commonwealth is bor- ty level, District Courts decide the majority of legal matters in the state; other settlements were created soon The U.S. Treasury Gold Vault Kentucky Derby in 1875, 91 crafts - traditional, contemporary dered by seven states: , Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Circuit Courts hear all civil cases involving more than $4,000. after. was established at Fort Knox in and Illinois. The flows 664 miles (1,068 kilometers) 1936. Derby winners have been and folk art - is recognized Kentucky-bred, including: around the world. More than along the northern and western borders of the state. At the state level, the Court of Appeals consider the appeals from the Circuit The last major Indian raid in Kentucky occurred at the Battle of Courts in both civil and criminal matters. The Kentucky Supreme Court Whirlaway, Citation, Gallant Fox, 3,000 artisans produce Kentucky Blue Licks in 1782, although small skirmishes and raids would During World War II, Kentucky Kentucky’s highest point is Black Mountain in Harlan County, 4,145 feet reviews all judgements of Circuit Courts that impose sentences of death, Seattle Slew, Spend A Buck, , Winning Colors, Sunday crafts that can be found at craft continue until 1813. began to shift from an agricul- (1,264 meters) above sea level; its lowest point, the Mississippi River in imprisonment of 20 years or more, and other appeals at its discretion. All Silence, Strike the Gold, and Grindstone. Visit the Kentucky Derby co-ops and shops throughout the Fulton County , 257 feet (78 meters) above sea level. judges in Kentucky courts must be attorneys. District judges are elected to tural to an industrial economy, Museum at Churchill Downs year round. state. One of the leading craft four-year terms; all others, eight years. www.kycourts.net Kentucky was originally declared to be but it was not until 1970 that www.kyderby.com businesses is Churchill Weavers located in the “Crafts Capital” NATURAL RESOURCES a part of Virginia and was made a the state had more urban than of Berea. www.kycraft.org Kentucky has more miles of running water than any other state except EXECUTIVE BRANCH separate county of that state in 1776. rural dwellers. Tourism developed into a major industry, aided Alaska. The numerous rivers and water impoundments provide 1,100 The Governor is the chief executive of the state and is elected to serve a THE KENTUCKY HORSE PARK Soon after the end of the American by an impressive state park system and new highways across the commercially navigable miles (1,770 kilometers). four-year term. Other constitutional officers elected to four-year terms This one-of-a-kind park is the best FOOD Revolution, a separation movement state. include the Lieutenant Governor, the Secretary of State and the Attorney place to experience the world of the Traditional Kentucky Kentucky has 12.7 million acres of commercial forest land - 50% of the General. All may seek re-election to a second term. began in Kentucky. In 1792, after horse. Nearly 50 breeds are show- favorites are hickory-smoked state’s land area. The main species of trees are white oak, red oak, wal- nine conventions to discuss the sepa- ADDITIONAL READING cased at the park, located on 1,032 barbecue, country ham, nut, yellow poplar, beech, sugar maple, white ash and hickory. Kentucky Executive policy is directed through 15 cabinets: Corrections, Economic ration, Kentucky was made a separate For additional information about Kentucky’s history, refer to: Development, Education & Humanities, Families & Children, Finance & acres of Lexington’s bluegrass farm- beaten biscuits, and a rich, ranks third among hardwood producing states. state and was admitted to the Union ”Kentucky: A Bicentennial History” by Steven A. Channing; “A Administration, Health Services, Justice, Labor, Natural Resources & land. Features include the spectacu- slow-cooked stew called The total value of Kentucky’s mineral production in 1999 was $3.8 bil- Environmental Protection, Public Protection & Regulation, Revenue, as the fifteenth state. Isaac Shelby was ” by Thomas D. Clark; “History of Kentucky” lar International Museum of the Burgoo. The Hot Brown was lion. Principal minerals and by-products produced in order of value are Transportation, Tourism Development, and Workforce Development. The chosen as the first governor. Kentucky's first constitution was by Richard H. Collins; “The Kentucky Encyclopedia” edited by Horse, Parade of Breeds and Hall of created in the 1920s at executive branch also includes a number of independent agencies and regu- coal, crushed stone, natural gas and petroleum. Kentucky is the nation’s drafted in April and May of that year (the constitution was John E. Kleber; “Our Kentucky, A Study of the Bluegrass State” Champions demonstrations, carriage rides, a walking farm tour, Louisville’s Brown Hotel. third largest coal producer - 152.4 million tons in 1996. latory commissions. http://gov.state.ky.us rewritten in 1800, and again in 1850 and 1891), and Frankfort edited by James C. Klotter; “A New History of Kentucky” by films, and horseback riding. And Colonel Harland Sanders www.nr.state.ky.us was chosen to be the site of the state capital. Lowell H. Harrison and James C. Klotter. www.kyhistory.org All information contained in this brochure can be found online at developed his secret recipe for chicken in Corbin in 1932. www.kentuckytourism.com