Buchanan, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Buchanan, Kentucky
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 Buchanan, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Buchanan, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Lawrence |
| Elevation | 531 ft (162 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS feature IDs | 2337450,488179 |
Buchanan is a small, unincorporated community in Lawrence County, Kentucky, United States. An unincorporated community is a place that doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. It's located where Bear Creek flows into the Big Sandy River. This spot is about five miles downstream from where Blaine Creek joins the river.
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Exploring Buchanan's Past
Buchanan has a fascinating history, especially when it comes to its name! Over the years, this small community has been known by several different names. Each name tells a bit about its journey through time.
A Place with Many Names
Originally, this area was called Mouth of Bear. This name made sense because it was right where Bear Creek met the Big Sandy River.
In 1830, a post office was set up here by Reuben Canterbury, a county surveyor. He decided to name the post office Canterbury after himself. Imagine naming a whole post office after yourself!
A few years later, in March 1838, the post office got a new name: Turman's Ferry. This change happened because Benjamin Turman became the new postmaster and also ran a ferry service there. Ferries were important for crossing rivers before bridges were common.
The community even moved across the river and into West Virginia for a short time in 1853. When it moved, it was known as Round Bottom. But by September 1861, it moved back to the Kentucky side, near the creek mouth. That's when it finally got the name Buchanan, named after the postmaster at the time, George Buchanan.
The Railway Arrives
In 1880, a railway station was built in Buchanan as part of the Chattaroi Railroad. This station was first called Rockville. It got this name because there were some actual rocks about 100 yards north of the creek mouth, near the railway depot.
However, by 1891, both the railway station and the community were renamed Buchanan, matching the post office's name. This helped keep everything consistent.
At that time, Buchanan was a busy place. It had several businesses related to lumber and livestock. There was also a hotel, a flour mill, a wagonworks (where wagons were made or repaired), and various stores. It was a hub for local trade and activity.
The Post Office Closes
The Buchanan post office served the community for many years. Since August 1863, it had been a rural branch of the Louisa, Kentucky post office. However, in 1976, the Buchanan post office officially closed its doors.
Buchanan remains an unincorporated community today, with a rich history tied to its changing names and its role in the local economy of Lawrence County.
