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Stanford got its name
after Benjamin Logan, who along with other early
settlers, repeatedly and successfully fought off Indian attacks.
Logan’s Fort, which was located near the existing Stanford
downtown district, was the final jewel of the “triple crown” of
forts in Kentucky. Cumberland Trace which goes to Nashville and
turns into the Natchez Trace, began at Logan’s Fort. Court was
held within the walls of the fort from 1781 to 1783, the
original beginnings of many Kentucky counties south of the
Kentucky River. The settlement, which evolved into the present
day town of Stanford is the second oldest permanent settlement
in the state. Historic downtown Stanford is listed on the
National Register of Historic Places. The Wilderness Trail,
originally called the “Great Road,” passes through Lincoln
County. The trail, which was the gateway to the west, runs along
St. Asaph’s Creek of present-day Stanford.
| Formed in 1780,
Lincoln County is one of Kentucky’s three
original territories. Named in honor of
Revolutionary Army Officer Benjamin Lincoln who was
asked by Congress to conduct the war in the southern
states. The original territory of Lincoln comprised
about one-third of the state but was reduced by
cutting off sections to form other counties until
its present area of 450 square miles. Lincoln County
is “The Land of Firsts.” It’s home of Kentucky’s
first governor, Isaac Shelby; first chartered school
in the state; first brick house in Kentucky; first
courthouse west of the Alleghenies; first bank west
of the Alleghenies; as well as America’s first
circular race track. |
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Lincoln County’s rich heritage
is revealed in its vast array of communities. Preachersville is
the only community so named in the United States. The first
settlers were part of a traveling church, Gospel Christian
Church (also known as Halls Gap Christian Church). The church
bell is 203 years old. Carrie Nation and U. S. Ambassador to
Russia, Carlos Brittain, once lived in the area. The old
Waynesburg Bank and Post Office stands in the center of two
cross streets which entirely surround it. Waynesburg Masonic
Lodge holds the oldest continuous charter in Lincoln County.
Hubble was settled by the Irish and Scotch. The McKendree
Methodist Church, built in 1886, is one of the oldest in the
county. Eubank is home of the 1944 Miss America.
Lt. Richard Caswell Saufley was
born and reared in Stanford. This pioneer aviator was the first
man to fly an American plane over enemy territory, the first to
be filmed in action in a war plane, the first to fly a plane off
the deck of a ship, and he set world endurance and altitude
records. Named in his honor are NAS Saufley Field in Pensacola,
Florida and U. S. Navy Destroyer, U.S.S. Saufley, DD-465.
Come see where the past meets the present in historic Lincoln
County. Kentucky’s rich heritage awaits you in “The Land of
Firsts.”
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