A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT: GEOLOGY AND LANDSCAPE IN THE HISTORY OF FRANKFORT KENTUCKY

Geology and landscape profoundly influenced the history and sense of place in Frankfort, the small capital city of Kentucky. To promote awareness of the state’s geoheritage, the Kentucky Geological Survey (KGS) has developed a new collaboration with the Capital City Museum, itself located in Frankfort’s historic downtown, dominated by a prominent hill formed from a Late Pleistocene abandoned meander of the Kentucky River. The city is located on the western margin of the Inner Bluegrass region of Kentucky and is at the north end of the Kentucky River Palisades. Bedrock geology is primarily the Lexington Limestone, which consists of thin-bedded limestone with minor shale. At river level, and farther south, the valley walls expose thicker bedded limestones of the High Bridge Group.

Frankfort is near the confluence of Benson Creek and Elkhorn Creek with the Kentucky River. Gravel bars associated with the tributaries supported fords and associated ferries for carrying goods across the river. The importance of the streams and rivers in the history and perception of the town cannot be overstated. Paul Sawyier, a 19^th-century impressionist painter, focused much of his work on the Kentucky River valley near Frankfort. Fishing was an important source of food and recreation, and fishing reels built in Frankfort were prized possessions amongst the well-to-do in the late 19^th century. Numerous quarries have been developed in the limestone-dominated bedrock, and have produced aggregate and building stone for the area. The Kentucky River served as a critical route for the transportation of goods during much of the early history of Kentucky. Because of the economic importance of river trade, early construction of navigation on the Kentucky River reached Frankfort by 1840. Both the river and the resulting topography of the downtown area played a role in the turbulent Civil War history of the town. Through virtual field trips and exhibit support, KGS geologists will ensure these geoheritage stories reach diverse audiences and community stakeholders.