Kentucky History

From the Native Americans who first inhabited Kentucky to the frontiersmen who first crossed the Cumberland Gap to the hard-working families who now inhabit it, Kentucky has known many great people.  Naturally, these people have left behind legacies, legends, and stories that all weave together in the mesmerizing fabric of our state history.  In this section you can learn more about how Kentucky developed over time and what Kentuckians are presently doing to preserve that heritage.

Click on a section to learn more about:

The Brief History of Kentucky.

Key events and trends on the Kentucky Timeline.

Historical Highway Markers that preserve the memory of significant people, places, and events.

Famous Kentuckians who have contributed a great deal to our state and society.

Picture courtesy of the Kentucky Historical Society.