Frankfort (pop. 28,602) is the capital of Kentucky. The city lies in north-central Kentucky, at the western edge of the state’s Bluegrass Region.
Frankfort’s chief industry is government. The Kentucky state government ranks as the city’s largest employer. Whiskey distilling is an important private industry in Frankfort. Other products include motor vehicle parts, fabricated metals, plastics, and electrical equipment.
Landmarks of Frankfort include the State Capitol, which resembles the United States Capitol in design; and the Old State House, now a museum. Many tourists visit the Frankfort Cemetery to see the graves of the American frontiersman Daniel Boone and his wife, Rebecca. Other attractions include tours of historic homes and of distilleries, which produce Kentucky bourbon whiskey. Kentucky State University is in Frankfort.
Like many cities, Frankfort has had to deal with the flow of business to suburban shopping centers. From the late 1950’s to the 1980’s, urban renewal efforts eliminated slums and restored part of downtown Frankfort. In the 1990’s and early 2000’s, renovations to buildings in the historic business district helped renew interest in downtown as a center for shopping and entertainment.
In 1751, Christopher Gist became the first white person to reach what is now Frankfort. In 1773, Hancock Taylor made the first survey of the land. The Virginia legislature established Frankfort as a town in 1786, before Kentucky became a state. Kentucky achieved statehood in 1792, and Frankfort was selected as its capital. Frankfort is the seat of Franklin County and has a council-manager form of government.
