Adair County, Kentucky

Adair County, Kentucky

Adair County, Kentucky is a rural county located in the central-southern portion of the state. It is bordered by Taylor, Casey, Russell, Cumberland, Metcalfe and Green counties. The county seat is Columbia and the largest city is Jamestown. Adair County was formed in 1802 from a portion of Green County and named for John Adair, a Revolutionary War hero and one-time Governor of Kentucky. See list of counties in Kentucky.

Adair County covers an area of 464 square miles with much of the land being used for agricultural purposes. The landscape is characterized by rolling hills and knobs that are part of the Appalachian Mountains. The county has two major rivers; Russell Creek and Green River as well as numerous creeks, streams and ponds. There are also several state parks within Adair County including Big Creek State Park which offers camping, hiking trails, fishing and boating opportunities.

The population of Adair County was 17,978 in 2020 with a population density of 39 people per square mile according to the US Census Bureau. The median household income was $37,339 with about 24% living below the poverty line. The majority (86%) identified as white while 8% identified as African American/black and 4% as Hispanic/Latino origin.

The economy in Adair County relies heavily on agriculture with corn being the primary crop followed by tobacco, soybeans and hay production. Livestock production including cattle, hogs and poultry are also important to the local economy along with timber harvesting from local forests which supply wood products to furniture manufacturers throughout Kentucky. Other industries include tourism due to its proximity to Lake Cumberland Recreation Area which draws many visitors each year along with manufacturing companies such as General Electric Motors located in Columbia that employ many locals in their factory jobs.

Adair County schools are part of the Adair County School District which consists of 9 elementary schools (K-5), 3 middle schools (6-8) and 2 high schools (9-12). There are also several private Christian schools located throughout the county offering K-12 education options for families looking for an alternative to public schooling options.

Adair County has several points of interest including historic sites such as Milltown Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places or Old Gradyville covered bridge built in 1885 spanning Russell Creek near Gradyville community park that offers camping sites for visitors to enjoy outdoor activities like fishing or canoeing on nearby Green River Lake or hiking trails at Big Creek State Park nearby. Other attractions include Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in Hodgenville or Mammoth Cave National Park just across Taylor county line offering guided tours through its underground limestone labyrinths making it one of America’s most popular tourist destinations attracting millions annually from all over world!

In conclusion, Adair County is a rural county located in central Kentucky known for its agriculture industry but also offering interesting attractions such as Mammoth Cave National Park or Abraham Lincoln Birthplace making it an ideal place to visit! With its rolling hills surrounded by forests providing plenty outdoor activities like camping or fishing it truly provides something for everyone.

History of Adair County, Kentucky

Adair County, Kentucky is located in the south-central region of the state and is part of the Knobs Region. The county was established in 1801 and named after John Adair, a Revolutionary War veteran who later served as Kentucky’s governor. It was one of the original counties created by Kentucky’s first constitution.

The county has a rich history that dates back to its settlement in the late 1700s. The first settlers were mostly Scots-Irish immigrants who moved westward from Pennsylvania looking for land to farm and raise their families. These pioneers were followed by German immigrants who began arriving in large numbers during the early 19th century, bringing with them many of their cultural customs and traditions which are still practiced today.

Early Adair County was largely agrarian with tobacco, corn, wheat, and other crops being grown on small farms throughout the area. The county also had several mills that were powered by water from nearby creeks or rivers. As time passed, these mills were replaced by larger factories that helped spur economic growth in Adair County.

During the Civil War, Adair County saw its share of conflict as Confederate and Union forces clashed in several battles including a critical encounter at Tebbs Bend on July 4th 1863 where Union troops emerged victorious over Confederate forces led by General John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry division. After the war ended, life slowly returned to normal but it took several years before economic growth resumed as farmers struggled to rebuild their ruined farms while industry slowly recovered from wartime losses.

In more recent times, Adair County has become known for its natural beauty with rolling hills, lush forests, sparkling lakes and rivers making it an ideal destination for outdoor recreation such as camping and fishing. It also has some interesting historical sites such as Columbia Baptist Church (the oldest church building in continuous use west of the Appalachians), Green River Valley Museum (featuring artifacts from all eras of local history) and Gradyville School (the oldest school building still standing in Kentucky).

Adair County today is a vibrant community with a diverse economy ranging from agriculture to manufacturing to tourism that provides jobs for many residents throughout the year. Its residents take pride in their heritage while looking forward to an even brighter future for this special part of Kentucky’s.

Adair County, Kentucky