The Midway Historic District of Midway, Kentucky, was designated by the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district on November 17, 1978.[1][2] In 2003, faced with a declining downtown, a major streetscape renovation project began as part of the Kentucky Main Street Program.
Midway was the first town built by a railroad company in Kentucky, established by the Lexington and Ohio Railroad, whose goal was to connect Lexington, Kentucky to the Ohio River, bypassing Louisville.[3] The L&O were building a line between Frankfort, Kentucky and Lexington, starting in 1831, with the first train arriving at the "midway" point in 1833, on a farm owned by John Francisco. On January 31, 1835, the L&O bought the farm from Francisco for $6,491.25, and had their civil engineer, R. C. Hewitt, plat out the town. It was named Midway due to being equally distant from Frankfort and Lexington. Many of the town's streets were named for individuals that worked for the L&O. The state of Kentucky incorporated the town in 1846.[4][5]
Although upgraded with newer technology, the path of the original railroad line through the town is still in use by the railroad, bisecting the business district.
On July 15, 1862, John Hunt Morgan stopped here to misdirect Union forces back to Frankfort, instead of pursuing him.
A museum is temporarily in a former saloon that now hosts a store for local merchandise, especially historical book regarding Kentucky.
The Second Christian Church is believed to be the oldest black congregation in Kentucky.[6]
^Jean Rouse; Daniel Kidd (April 1978). "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Midway Historic District". National Park Service. Retrieved March 9, 2018. The McKee Monument (see photo 12 and site 30) honors William R. McKee, the chief engineer of the Lexington and Ohio Railroad. "Due to his efforts the second regiment of the Kentucky volunteers was mustered and he was made their captain. In the battle of Buena Vista, after leading his regiment to victory, he was fatally wounded. " (A History of Midway, p. 31). The monument, dedicated by Midway citizens on July 4, 1847, consists of a fluted column surmounted by an urn. The inscription on the plinth was composed by Theodore O'Hara, McKee's First Lieutenant who is renowned for having written a famous poem, "The Bivouac of the Dead". With 49 photos from 1977-78 (McKee Monument in photo #12) .
^Kleber, John E. Kentucky Encyclopedia. (University Press of Kentucky, 1994). pg.551.
^Savage, Beth. African American Historic Places p.253
External linksedit
Woodford County, KY Historical Society
January 01, 1970
midway, historic, district, midway, kentucky, midway, historic, district, midway, kentucky, designated, national, register, historic, places, historic, district, november, 1978, 2003, faced, with, declining, downtown, major, streetscape, renovation, project, b. The Midway Historic District of Midway Kentucky was designated by the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district on November 17 1978 1 2 In 2003 faced with a declining downtown a major streetscape renovation project began as part of the Kentucky Main Street Program Midway Historic DistrictU S National Register of Historic PlacesU S Historic districtEast sideShow map of KentuckyShow map of the United StatesLocationMidway KentuckyArchitectLacefield R W Et al Architectural styleGreek Revival Gothic ItalianateNRHP reference No 78001415 1 Added to NRHPNovember 17 1978 West side of historic district Midway was the first town built by a railroad company in Kentucky established by the Lexington and Ohio Railroad whose goal was to connect Lexington Kentucky to the Ohio River bypassing Louisville 3 The L amp O were building a line between Frankfort Kentucky and Lexington starting in 1831 with the first train arriving at the midway point in 1833 on a farm owned by John Francisco On January 31 1835 the L amp O bought the farm from Francisco for 6 491 25 and had their civil engineer R C Hewitt plat out the town It was named Midway due to being equally distant from Frankfort and Lexington Many of the town s streets were named for individuals that worked for the L amp O The state of Kentucky incorporated the town in 1846 4 5 Although upgraded with newer technology the path of the original railroad line through the town is still in use by the railroad bisecting the business district On July 15 1862 John Hunt Morgan stopped here to misdirect Union forces back to Frankfort instead of pursuing him A museum is temporarily in a former saloon that now hosts a store for local merchandise especially historical book regarding Kentucky The Second Christian Church is believed to be the oldest black congregation in Kentucky 6 See also editMartyrs Monument in MidwayReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service January 23 2007 Jean Rouse Daniel Kidd April 1978 National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Midway Historic District National Park Service Retrieved March 9 2018 The McKee Monument see photo 12 and site 30 honors William R McKee the chief engineer of the Lexington and Ohio Railroad Due to his efforts the second regiment of the Kentucky volunteers was mustered and he was made their captain In the battle of Buena Vista after leading his regiment to victory he was fatally wounded A History of Midway p 31 The monument dedicated by Midway citizens on July 4 1847 consists of a fluted column surmounted by an urn The inscription on the plinth was composed by Theodore O Hara McKee s First Lieutenant who is renowned for having written a famous poem The Bivouac of the Dead With 49 photos from 1977 78 McKee Monument in photo 12 Kleber John E Kentucky Encyclopedia University Press of Kentucky 1994 pg 551 Kentucky Historical marker 1580 Midway Kentucky Savage Beth African American Historic Places p 253External links editWoodford County KY Historical Society Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Midway Historic District Midway Kentucky amp oldid 1169600393, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
