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A RESOLUTION recognizing the City of Harrodsburg on the occasion of the 250th 1
anniversary of its founding. 2
WHEREAS, on June 16, 1774, James Harrod and his men mapped out a town 3
known as Harrod's Town, becoming the first permanent British settlement west of the 4
Allegheny Mountains. By 1776, the town established a county militia, a county court, and 5
James Harrod was a delegate for the community within the Virginia Assembly; and 6
WHEREAS, during the Revolutionary War, George Rogers Clark and volunteers 7
kept the area secure from the blockhouse at Fort Harrod; and 8
WHEREAS, after the Revolutionary War, settlers migrated to the town, and 9
wooden cabins were replaced by brick structures to promote the community's prosperity 10
and permanence. Settlers Michael Humble and John Hagan established horse racing paths 11
to pave the way for two of Kentucky's signature industries, horse racing and distilling; 12
and 13
WHEREAS, during the 1780s, Kentucky settlers sought to become a recognized 14
state. An early step towards that goal was taken in 1785 when the Virginia legislature 15
established Mercer County with Harrodsburg as the seat of government. Over the next 16
few years, the United States recognized a need for a stronger military presence in the area 17
around the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Kentucky became the 15th state on June 1, 1792; 18
and 19
WHEREAS, following the War of 1812, education and agriculture began to thrive 20
in Harrodsburg. In 1839, Bacon College opened with 60 students. The Greenville 21
Institute for Young Ladies, later becoming Daughters College, was founded and taught 22
students from 26 states. In 1847, the Presbyterian Church opened the Harrodsburg 23
Female Academy, later becoming Hogsett Academy. The influx of educational 24
opportunities earned Harrodsburg the nickname of the "Athens of the West"; and 25
WHEREAS, in collaboration with neighboring communities, the area prospered 26
even more through the sale of seeds, livestock, hemp, tobacco, corn, and wheat utilizing 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2539
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the ferries at Harrod's Landing and Shaker Ferry; and 1
WHEREAS, during the Civil War, Harrodsburg found itself at a crossroads and 2
wanted to remain neutral. However, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan was 3
welcomed by the townsfolk and months later, the 19th Kentucky Regiment for the Union 4
was raised by the town in an effort to defeat the confederates. Harrodsburg provided 5
medical care to both sides during the Battle of Perryville; and 6
WHEREAS, following the Civil War, which took a toll on the citizens of 7
Harrodsburg, recovery and rebuilding began. In the middle of the 20th century, new 8
factories were built to foster economic growth, Dix River Dam was constructed to 9
provide hydroelectricity, and its reservoir, Lake Herrington, became a popular 10
recreational spot; and 11
WHEREAS, the events of the past have helped shape the Harrodsburg of today. 12
The town has maintained its charm and friendliness while keeping a progressive mindset 13
to continue moving forward. Mercer County continues to support a varied economy of 14
agriculture, manufacturing, and education. Community events such as Pioneer Days, 15
Oktoberfest, and the county fair and horseshow provide cultural and historical 16
opportunities that continue to define what Harrodsburg has to offer to the Commonwealth 17
of Kentucky; 18
NOW, THEREFORE, 19
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 20
Kentucky: 21
Section 1. The Senate does hereby recognize the City of Harrodsburg on the 22
occasion of the 250th anniversary of its founding, and notes its rich history and unique 23
story among the cities of this Commonwealth. 24
Section 2. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 25
Resolution to Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe. 26