Georgetown, Kentucky, has a fascinating history that stretches back thousands of years. Long before European settlers arrived, Native peoples thrived along the banks of Elkhorn Creek, a waterway that is considered one of the longest and most beautiful creeks in Kentucky. The Adena culture (800 B.C.–800 A.D.) left a lasting mark on the region, with several significant Adena mounds still standing as reminders of this pre-Columbian civilization.
European settlement attempts began in the mid-1770s. In 1774, an expedition led to the construction of McClelland’s Fort in 1776. However, after a Native American attack in 1777, the fort was abandoned. It wasn’t until 1784 that the area saw a permanent settlement, thanks to Elijah Craig, a Baptist preacher from Virginia, who helped incorporate the town of Lebanon near the fort site in the Virginia legislature.
The town underwent a couple of name changes: in 1790, it became George Town in honor of President George Washington, and in 1792, when Kentucky became the 15th state, it officially became George Town, Kentucky.
Elijah Craig left an lasting mark on the town. He founded the first classical school in Kentucky, which eventually evolved into Georgetown College, the first Baptist college west of the Allegheny Mountains. But perhaps Craig’s most enduring legacy is his contribution to bourbon whiskey. While working at his cloth-cleaning mill on the banks of Royal Spring, he discovered that aging spirits in charred barrels created a richer flavor, earning Georgetown the title “Birthplace of Bourbon.”
Georgetown wasn’t the only town to grow in Scott County. Stamping Ground was incorporated in 1834, its name inspired by the buffalo herds that would gather at a local salt spring. Sadieville, once known as “Big Eagle,” formed in 1879 as a stop along the Cincinnati Southern Railroad and was named in honor of Sadie Emison Pack, who hosted construction engineers during the railroad’s development.
Today, Georgetown celebrates its rich history, from Native American heritage and early settlement struggles to educational achievements and the world-famous bourbon industry. It’s a town where history, culture, and innovation come together, making it a fascinating place to explore.
In celebration of Georgetown’s 250th anniversary, the Scott County Public Library invites you to explore our special collection of books about Georgetown, Kentucky. We’ve curated a selection of titles that highlight the rich history, culture, and stories of our community. The perfect reads to honor and celebrate Scott County!
Bluegrass Paradise: Royal Spring and the Birth of Georgetown Kentucky by Gary A. O’Dell
Author Gary A. O’Dell tells the story of the Royal Spring, the largest spring in central Kentucky. Practical and essential to the creation of a successful settlement, the spring and its location became the primary reason pioneers would eventually congregate here and found the city of Georgetown as one of the earliest Kentucky communities. In the ensuing 250 years, the Royal Spring has faithfully served the water needs of the community and the locale remains a cherished cultural and historical asset that provides greenspace within a rapidly growing city.
The Lady and the Legacy: The Bradshaw Story by Tracy Hilander
The Bradshaw name has resonated throughout the competitive Saddlebred Horse world and added a rich and storied history to Georgetown, Kentucky. Following up on Frank Bradshaw’s legendary streak of seven World Championships in a row, The Lady and the Legacy highlights the life of Margie Ellen Bradshaw, his reclusive wife, along with one man’s efforts to save their Scott County farm and preserve their legacy for generations to come.
Georgetown and Scott County: Images of America by Ann Bolton Bevins
Scott County, for many years, was one of Kentucky’s leading agricultural counties. In 1985, it leapt to the forefront among industrial
communities as Toyota established a major American manufacturing operation in Georgetown, the county seat. With over 200 unique photographs, many of which are previously unpublished, this volume provides a lively glimpse into this Bluegrass county’s ever-changing rural and urban communities. You will find within these pages many of the older features of the county that no longer exist, including those in areas like the small city of Stamping Ground. Take a closer look into the everyday lives of early Scott Countians at work and at play through decades of social, political, and industrial changes.
Real Country Volume 1: Northwest and West Central Scott County by Ann Bolton Bevins
Based on her beliefs that old houses as well as religious, industrial, and commercial buildings have a way of communicating with us, and coupled with intensive research, Mrs. Bevins compiled the most comprehensive record to date of the life and times of Georgetown and Scott County throughout its history. Now, she has surpassed her earlier success to include all of rural Scott County – a work so massive as to require a multi-volume presentation with each volume dedicated to the unique features of the roughly four quadrants of the area. Volume I covers the northwest and north central areas of Scott County, with special attention to agricultural influences, African American communities, crossroads communities, and the City of Stamping Ground, encompassing a huge and extremely varied area.