About Lexington

Brief History of the Area

When European settlers arrived on the scene, the Bluegrass region was in use as a hunting ground for numerous Native American tribes. Daniel Boone was one of the first Anglo-Saxons to explore the area. He helped establish Kentucky's first forts in Harrodsburg and Boonesborough.

Lexington was founded in 1775, 17 years before Kentucky became a state. William McConnell and a group of frontier explorers were camped at a natural spring when word came from nearby Fort Boonesborough that the first battle of the American Revolution had been fought in Lexington, Mass. In honor of the battle, the group named their site “Lexington.” By 1820, Lexington, Ky. was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains. So cultured was its lifestyle, our city soon gained the nickname "Athens of the West."

Lexington Quick Facts

• Lexington was named one of the "Top 10 College Towns 2013," by Livability magazine, ranking fifth.
• Lexington is less than 200 miles from 6 major cities (Cincinnati, Columbus, Louisville, Nashville, Knoxville, and Indianapolis)
• Lexington has over 100 parks; among those are 6 public golf courses, 4 dog parks, 2 disc golf courses, and a skate park
• Lexington is the "Horse Capital of the World", home of some of the finest racehorses
• 39.3% of Lexington's workforce has a bachelor's degree or higher
• Lexington's unemployment rate is typically lower than the rest of the state and nation
• Lexington has over 550 restaurants from which to choose

 What is there to do?

• Explore the Kentucky Horse Park for a variety of activities
• Test your luck at Keeneland Race Course during a meet
• Take a Horse Farm Tour
• Visit one of Lexington's historic homes
• Watch the UK Wildcats play basketball at Rupp Arena
• Wander through the restored Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill.
• Hike one of the areas numerous trails