A Traffic Light in Lexington
Lexington KY is located in the midst of Kentucky’s Bluegrass country. The beginning, and the ending of the Revolutionary War bracket the founding of this beautiful city. In 1775, a small band from the Virginia Militia set up camp near Elkhorn Creek in Kentucky – just east of today’s Lexington. While camped there, word reached the soldiers that the American Revolution had begun with “the shot heard ‘round the world” on April 19, 1775 in the battle of Lexington in Massachusetts.
Wanting to honor their compatriots, the soldiers named their encampment, “Lexington”. Four years later, the fledgling town of Lexington was established there. In 1781, Col. John Todd of the Virginia Militia built Lexington Station, as it was then known, into a blockhouse fort. One year later, in what was said to be the last great battle of the Revolution, “The Battle of Blue Licks”, was fought, and Col. John Todd was one of the casualties.
There is a rich and diverse history surrounding the city of Lexington, Kentucky. Careful effort has been employed to preserve the history and historical places in and surrounding Lexington. Places of local, state and national importance are maintained by citizens and organizations that have been established for that explicit purpose.
“Bluegrass” as “poa pratensis” is commonly known, grows well in the fertile soil enriched by the limestone the soil contains. As this grass type begins to “blossom” the top portion of the blades exhibit a beautiful blue hue. Kentucky folks will tell you that the richness of this grass and this land are the keys to the raising of beautiful thoroughbred horses. Surrounding the city are gracious and beautiful horse farms, where generations of families have raised these thoroughbreds. In fact, Lexington KY is known as “The Horse Capital of the World”. Each year thousands of people come from all over the world to the “Keeneland” racetrack. Horses that race the Kentucky Derby are trained here. Races are held and annual horse sales, where these renowned thoroughbreds can be observed, and purchased.
In the 1800’s, Lexington KY became a mecca of sorts, for the arts and culture, as well as education. In 1865 John Bowman founded the University of Kentucky as the first land-grant university in Kentucky. At the time it was known as the “Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky”, later expanded and renamed “The University of Kentucky”. Thanks to such far-sighted thinking, Lexington became a place for people who value learning, craftsmanship, culture and political science. Today UK boasts of 16 colleges as well as a graduate school. There are close to 100 different undergraduate programs, as well as multiple masters’ degree avenues to pursue. UK is proud of its doctoral programs and its many professional programs.
During the early 1800’s, noted poet Josiah Espy wrote of “The Athens of the West”, his view and vision of Lexington KY. The mix of agricultural and cultural influences in the area truly did allow Lexington to not only live into that vision but also continue to do so. Noted poets and writers such as Wendell Berry, Gurney Norman, and John X Walker – former Poet Laureate of Kentucky either teach or taught at UK. They have brought their love for the land and the people to life in their work.
Nearly 300 churches, temples, mosques, and synagogues are found in Lexington and in the Lexington area.
Both Interstate 64 and Interstate 75 flow through, and intersect in, the Lexington KY environs. A great number of local and state highways can be accessed there as well. Lexington is within a day’s drive of approximately 2/3 of the national population. You are invited to consider a traffic light approach as regards Lexington Kentucky.
STOP in Lexington when you are traveling. Don’t just go through the city. Explore its diversity and delights. There are beautiful hotels, world class restaurants, beautiful parks, good “down home” cooking, and a city full of welcoming people. Enjoy the pastoral scenery and relax with a glass of good Kentucky bourbon.
GO to Lexington for a vacation or even a weekend away. Tour the historic sites. Visit the home of Mary Todd, who would one day become Abraham Lincoln’s wife. Tour the home of the politician, Henry Clay who had such an amazing effect on the politics not only in Kentucky but also the USA. The ancestral homes of John Hunt Morgan and Joseph Bryan, who was a grandnephew of Daniel Boone, are great places to explore. Take time to enjoy the Kentucky Horse Park with its museums, shows, and close to 50 different breeds of horses for you to experience. Make plans to go to the Keeneland racetrack. There you can enjoy watching the early morning workouts of the horses, watch races, and enjoy good food too.
Spend time at the Blue Grass Airport of Lexington, where the Aviation Museum of Kentucky is located. There you can learn about both historical and modern aircraft. There are artifacts both military and civilian. There is an onsite workshop for the restoration of historical aircraft.
The largest mall in Kentucky awaits your visit. There are unique shops, local artisans displaying and making their wares, arts and crafts demonstrations, and so much more to do and see in Lexington. A wealth and variety of dining places are available for you to enjoy. Partake of historic venues, or recent innovations for rest and refreshment.
CAUTION is needed here as well. There is so much to see, to do, and to experience in Lexington that you may never want to leave. Lexington KY will welcome you to stay. A great number of national and international companies are in Lexington. Homes and land are waiting to be purchased for busy lives to find respite at the close of the day. Wonder and enjoyment are waiting for you in Lexington, Kentucky. For what are you waiting? – Ryan Smith