Exploring Lexington, Kentucky's rich history and culture

These articles share a focus on significant moments and individuals in Lexington, Kentucky, highlighting the city's long and varied history over its 250 years. They depict the evolution of Lexington through stories of notable events, prominent figures and establishments that have shaped its cultural and historical landscape.

Some of Lexington’s businesses founded in the early years of the city still operate today. By From top left: Herald-Leader archives, Tasha Poullard, Faron Collins, Gabi Broekema

NO. 1: THESE ARE LEXINGTON’S OLDEST BUSINESSES THAT STILL OPERATE TODAY

Since its earliest days, Lexington has been a center of commerce for the area, even before Kentucky was a state. | Published September 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

A 1957 edition of the Lexington Herald, documenting a sonic boom that took place over Lexington, Kentucky, on July 27, 1957. By Herald-Leader Archives

NO. 2: ‘THE END OF TIME’: 1957 SONIC BOOM OVER LEXINGTON BROUGHT CHAOS

Editor’s Note: | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

The former Fayette County courthouse at 215 West Main Street in Lexington, Ky. Wednesday, May 6, 2020 By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 3: FROM SLAVERY TO BUSINESS OWNER, HENRY TANDY BUILT LEXINGTON’S MOST ICONIC BUILDINGS

Editor’s Note: | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 4: IN 1932 FLOOD, LEXINGTON STREETS BECAME RIVERS AS 8 INCHES OF WATER HIT THE CITY

Editor’s Note: | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 5: LEXINGTON HISTORY: PROMINENT LEXINGTON AUTHOR DIES IN 1901 TRAIN ACCIDENT

Editor’s Note: | Published August 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Lexington native and twice-Oscar-nominated actor Michael Shannon is coming to Lexington and Louisville Nov. 3 and 4 to encourage voting in the 2018 midterm elections. By Evan Agostini

NO. 6: FROM KY TO HOLLYWOOD: MICHAEL SHANNON’S ACTING CAREER STARTED IN LEXINGTON

Editor’s Note: | Published August 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 7: TRUE CRIME: KENTUCKY’S BROWNING FAMILY INCLUDED TWO STRANGE DEATHS

Editor’s Note: | Published August 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Silas House poses for portrait at his home in Lexington, Ky., on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. House’s new novel, “Lark Ascending”, is set to be released Tuesday, Sept. 27. By Ryan C. Hermens

NO. 8: EASTERN KENTUCKY NATIVE, WRITER AND ACTIVIST SILAS HOUSE LIVES IN LEXINGTON

Editor’s Note: | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 9: LEXINGTON HISTORY: FIRST STAGECOACH BEGAN RUNNING IN 1803, MAKING TRAVEL EASIER

Editor’s Note: | Published August 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 10: KENTUCKY’S FIRST NEWSPAPER STARTED IN LEXINGTON, AND STILL OPERATES TODAY

Editor’s Note: | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Lyman T. Johnson, shown in this Feb. 1997 file photo, in Louisville, Ky.,

NO. 11: LEXINGTON HISTORY: HOW LYMAN JOHNSON FOUGHT TO DESEGREGATE KENTUCKY’S COLLEGES

Editor’s Note: | Published August 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Cassius Marcellus Clay, called the Lion of White Hall in later life, was one of Kentucky's most colorful characters.

NO. 12: LEXINGTON’S ABOLITIONIST NEWSPAPER WAS SEIZED BY A MOB, SENT TO CINCINNATI IN 1845

Editor’s Note: | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

CHI Saint Joseph opened a newly renovated outpatient surgery center at its Harrodsburg Road campus on Jan. 4, 2021.

NO. 13: LEXINGTON’S FIRST HOSPITAL WAS STARTED BY NUNS AND STILL OPERATES TODAY

Editor’s Note: | Published September 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Amanda Judy, of Lexington, Ky., examines handmade metal garden sculptures at one of the dozens of booths at the Woodland Art Fair at Woodland Park in Lexington, Saturday, Aug. 21, 2021. The fair will continue on Sunday opening at 10 a.m. By Alex Slitz

NO. 14: LECTURES, RALLIES AND FAIRS: WOODLAND PARK HAS BEEN PART OF LEXINGTON SINCE 1880S

Editor’s Note: | Published September 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 15: PALMER PHARMACY WAS A LUCRATIVE BLACK-OWNED LEXINGTON BUSINESS. THE KKK BOMBED IT

Editor’s Note: | Published September 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 16: JOHN CRITTENDEN: KENTUCKY POLITICIAN WHO PUSHED FOR COMPROMISE AMID THE CIVIL WAR

Editor’s Note: | Published September 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

UK quarterback Jared Lorenzen second effort scores a touchdown in the 4th overtime in the loss to Arkansas at Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday, November 1, 2003, in Lexington, Kentucky By Mark Cornelison

NO. 17: UK, ARKANSAS PLAYED ONE OF THE LONGEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL GAMES IN HISTORY IN 2003

Editor’s Note: | Published September 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Belle Brezing (1860-1940) was shown in an undated studio portrait. She turned to prostitution in her teens.

NO. 18: BELLE BREZING: DID THE LEXINGTON MADAM INSPIRE A ‘GONE WITH THE WIND’ CHARACTER?

Editor’s Note: | Published September 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Pitcher Roger Clemens continues his rehab for the Houston Astros by pitching for the Lexington Legends at Applebee’s Park in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 against the Lake County Captains. This is Clemens first stop on a three-tier tour of the minor leagues as Clemens prepares to join the Astros on June 22th. Frank Anderson/Staff

NO. 19: FOR ONE NIGHT IN 2006, MLB PITCHER ROGER CLEMENS JOINED THE LEXINGTON LEGENDS

Editor’s Note: | Published September 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 20: FROM THE NCAA TOURNAMENT TO THE OLYMPICS: UK’S 1948 BASKETBALL TEAM WENT FOR GOLD

Editor’s Note: | Published September 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Lexington native/actor Jim Varney was best known for his character Ernest P. Worrell, a fixture in 1980s and '90s commercials and movies.

NO. 21: ‘KNOWWHUTIMEAN?’ JIM VARNEY, ACTOR BEHIND ERNEST P. WORRELL, WAS BORN IN LEXINGTON

Editor’s Note: | Published September 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

Dermontti Dawson (63), former Bryan Station High School & University of Kentucky player and now a all-pro Center for the Pittsburgh Steelers, during game with Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Oct. 19, 1997 that was played in Cincinnati, Ohio. Photo by Frank Anderson | Staff

NO. 22: FROM BRYAN STATION TO THE NFL: DERMONTTI DAWSON’S FOOTBALL CAREER STARTED IN KY

Dermontti Dawson didn’t start out high school playing football, but once he got started, he turned his love for the sport into a professional career. | Published September 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.