Frankfort: Frank's Ford becomes the capital

In 1780 pioneer Stephen Frank was killed in a skirmish there; settlers called the crossing Frank's Ford, which shortened to Frankfort. In 1786 Virginia chartered a town on land promoted by Gen. James Wilkinson.

When Kentucky became a state in 1792, Frankfort outbid Lexington and others—Andrew Holmes pledged lots, building materials, and cash for a capitol—and the legislature locked it in that December. The first two capitols burned; Gideon Shryock's Greek Revival Old Capitol (1830) finally stuck.