Early Settlements & Origins

Long before European settlement, the site of Frankfort served as a natural salt lick and a major river crossing for buffalo, elk, and Native American hunting parties.

The city's unique name originates from an event in the late 18th century:

• Around 1780, pioneer and surveyor Stephen Frank was killed by a band of Native Americans near a shallow ford on the Kentucky River.
• Settlers subsequently referred to the location as "Frank’s Ford," which eventually contracted and evolved into "Frankfort."

In 1786, pioneer General James Wilkinson acquired the land on the north bank of the river and laid out the town plat, envisioning a major commercial hub.

Becoming the State Capital

When Kentucky separated from Virginia to become the 15th U.S. state in 1792, a fierce competition erupted among several larger towns—including Lexington, Louisville, and Danville—to become the permanent capital.

Frankfort ultimately secured the designation thanks to a clever political maneuver led by Wilkinson and other local landowners: they offered cash donations, land, and a pledge to construct public buildings at their own expense if the legislature chose Frankfort. The offer won out, and Frankfort officially became the capital in 1792.

19th Century: Politics, Industry, and War

Throughout the 1800s, Frankfort grew as both a center of governance and an industrial river port.

• The Kentucky River: Steamboats navigated the river locks and dams, carrying hemp, whiskey, tobacco, and manufactured goods to the Ohio River and beyond.
• The Civil War: Despite strong divided loyalties among its citizens, Frankfort remained under Union control for most of the Civil War. In September 1862, it became the only Union-held capital west of the Appalachian Mountains to be briefly occupied by Confederate forces, who attempted to inaugurate a Confederate governor before retreating ahead of Union troops before the Battle of Perryville.

Architectural Landmarks

Frankfort is home to several iconic historical structures that define its skyline:

• The Old State Capitol: Built between 1827 and 1830, this Greek Revival masterpiece designed by Gideon Shryock served as the statehouse for nearly a century. Today, it operates as a museum managed by the Kentucky Historical Society.
• The Kentucky State Capitol: Completed in 1910, the current Beaux-Arts style capitol is renowned for its grand interior marble, a soaring dome, and the famous "State Reception Room" modeled after Marie Antoinette's drawing room in Versailles.
• The Old Governor's Mansion: Occupied since 1798, it is the oldest official executive residence in continuous use in the United States.

Frankfort Today

Today, Frankfort bridges its historic past with modern governance. Retaining a small-town feel despite its status as the state capital, it anchors the surrounding Franklin County region with a vibrant local economy, deep roots in Kentucky's bourbon and agriculture heritage, and a preserved downtown historic district.