7 influential moments in Lexington, Kentucky, history

Discover Lexington, Kentucky's past through the stories of people who shaped it. This list of stories outlines the powerful actions of suffragist Laura Clay, the resolve of Charlotte Dupuy when she petitioned Henry Clay for freedom, and John C. Breckinridge’s controversial political career.

Read about the impact of Thomas Poe Cooper’s long leadership at UK’s College of Agriculture. Find out how early women reformers and community leaders expanded education, advocated for rights, and challenged deep-seated laws.

These stories show how individuals, from statesmen to unyielding reformers, pushed Lexington, Kentucky, forward in surprising ways.

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

The League of Women Voters set up a geese display in downtown Lexington near Union Station urging everyone to vote, the day before Election Day, Nov. 4, 1957. The sign on top says “They don’t vote they just squawk.” Viewing the display are Mrs. Thornton Scoot (left), Mrs. Thomas Stroup (lower right) and Mrs. Charles Thorne. More than 43,000 Fayette County voters were eligible to vote. Officials expected 25,000 to actually vote. Published Nov. 4, 1957 in the Lexington Leader. Herald-Leader file photo

NO. 1: 105 YEARS LATER, EFFORTS BY LEXINGTON WOMEN TO EARN VOTING RIGHTS STILL RESONATE

The Herald-Leader is celebrating Lexington’s 250th birthday by revisiting key moments in the city’s vibrant history, including how Lexington women fought for the right to vote. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Lisa Renze

NO. 2: WHAT HAPPENED WHEN A CLERK LOOKED THE WRONG WAY AT GRANDSON OF KY’S FIRST GOVERNOR?

The violent tale of how the grandson of Gov. Isaac Shelby attacked a clerk who offered a wayward glance at him is part of Lexington’s rich 250-year history as a city. It’s part of the Herald-Leader’s yearlong series of notable Lexington moments. | Published January 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 3: WOMEN HAVE CHANGED SO MANY ASPECTS OF LIFE IN KENTUCKY. BUT HAVE YOU HEARD OF LAURA CLAY?

The Herald-Leader’s yearlong examination of notable people, institutions and key moments in Lexington’s history focuses on an early suffragist and supporter of women’s rights -- Laura Clay. | Published February 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

As soon as he stepped of a plane Jan. 5, 1951 at Blue Grass Field, University of Kentucky football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant received a wreath of roses around his neck. Four days earlier in New Orleans, his Cats upset No. 1 Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl. After being greeted at the airport, the team boarded buses, and was escorted by city, county and state motorcycle patrolmen down crowd-lined streets to Memorial Coliseum. There they were honored before 9,000 fans and presented the Sugar Bowl trophy. The crowd and University President Dr. Herman Lee Donovan lauded Bryant, who cautioned everyone that their first game on next year’s schedule was just around the corner. Bryant coached at Kentucky for eight winning seasons from 1946 to 1953 before leaving for Texas A&M. He later went to Tuscaloosa and was the legendary coach of Alabama for 25 years, leading the Crimson Tide to six national titles. Published in the Lexington Leader January 5, 1951.

NO. 4: WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF BEAR BRYANT HAD REMAINED AT UK AS ITS FOOTBALL COACH?

A sports fan can’t mention Lexington, Kentucky without referencing UK basketball. But would football be a more prominent part of the university’s sports lore today had Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant stayed instead of moving to Alabama? | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 5: HE WAS A LOCAL POLITICIAN, US SENATOR AND YOUNGEST VP IN US HISTORY. NOPE, NOT JD VANCE

As Lexington celebrates its 250th birthday, the Herald-Leader examines prominent people, notable dates and key moments in the city’s rich history as KY’s second-largest city. | Published January 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

NO. 6: A LEADER OF STUDENTS AND FUTURE FARMERS: REMEMBERING THE LONGEST-SERVING DEAN IN UK’S HISTORY

The Herald-Leader’s yearlong series spotlighting Lexington’s 250-year history examines the legacy of Thomas Poe Cooper, a former interim UK president and dean of its college of agriculture. | Published February 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Richard Green

NO. 7: PETITIONING FOR FREEDOM: WHY DID HENRY CLAY OPPOSE THIS SLAVE’S QUEST TO BE FREE?

The Herald-Leader’s yearlong examination of Lexington’s 250 years of history examines the story of Charlotte Dupuy, who sought her freedom from Henry Clay. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Liz Carey

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.