Local History : A County Of Firsts

Stanford got its name after Benjamin Logan, who along with other early settlers, repeatedly and successfully fought off Indian attacks. Logan's Fort, which was located near the existing Stanford downtown district, was the final jewel of the "triple crown" of forts in Kentucky. Cumberland Trace which goes to Nashville and turns into the Natchez Trace, began at Logan's Fort. Court was held within the walls of the fort from 1781 to 1783, the original beginnings of many Kentucky counties south of the Kentucky River. The settlement, which evolved into the present day town of Stanford is the second oldest permanent settlement in the state. Historic downtown Stanford is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Wilderness Trail, originally called the "Great Road," passes through Lincoln County. The trail, which was the gateway to the west, runs along St. Asaph's Creek of present-day Stanford.

Formed in 1780, Lincoln County is one of Kentucky's three original territories. Named in honor of Revolutionary Army Officer Benjamin Lincoln who was asked by Congress to conduct the war in the southern states. The original territory of Lincoln comprised about one-third of the state but was reduced by cutting off sections to form other counties until its present area of 450 square miles. Lincoln County is "The Land of Firsts." It's home of Kentucky's first governor, Isaac Shelby; first chartered school in the state; first brick house in Kentucky; first courthouse west of the Alleghenies; first bank west of the Alleghenies; as well as America's first circular race track.