Central City, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Central City, Kentucky
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
Downtown in 2022
|
|||
|
|||
| Motto(s):
"Where the opportunities are endless and the music never ends"
|
|||
Location in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
|
|||
| Country | United States | ||
| State | Kentucky | ||
| County | Muhlenberg | ||
| Established | Morehead's Horse Mill, 1826 | ||
| Incorporated | Stroud City, 1873 | ||
| Incorporated | Central City, 1882 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor-City Administrator- City Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 5.25 sq mi (13.59 km2) | ||
| • Land | 5.24 sq mi (13.56 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 436 ft (133 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
|
|||
| • Total | 5,819 | ||
| • Estimate
(2022)
|
5,810 | ||
| • Density | 1,111.13/sq mi (429.05/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) | ||
| ZIP Code |
42330
|
||
| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 | ||
| FIPS code | 21-13978 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 0489282 | ||
Central City is a city located in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,819 people lived there. It is the biggest city in Muhlenberg County. Central City is also the main town in the Central City Micropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes all of Muhlenberg County.
Contents
History of Central City
_-_exterior_2.jpg)
The area where Central City is today was first called "Morehead's Horse Mill." This name came from Charles S. Morehead's steam-powered gristmill. A gristmill is a place where grain is ground into flour.
A larger community started to grow after the Elizabethtown and Paducah Railroad arrived in 1870. A post office opened in 1871. It was named "Owensboro Junction." This was because the Owensboro and Russellville Railroad was planned to be finished in 1872.
By 1873, the town was big enough to become an official city. The state government named it "Stroud City." This was after a local landowner named John Stroud.
In the same year, the du Ponts' Central Coal and Iron Company started working in the area. This company became very important to the local economy. So, in 1882, the city was officially renamed "Central City."
Over time, different railroad companies took over. But Central City always remained a key spot for trains. It had train yards and special stations. Coal was mined from nearby areas. Coal mining was important, but it also brought challenges.
Later, cars became more popular. This made trains a little less important. But Central City still helps move goods by train today. It is a hub for the Paducah and Louisville Railway and CSX.
Geography of Central City
Central City is in the northeastern part of Muhlenberg County. The Western Kentucky Parkway runs along the southern edge of the city. You can get to the city from Exit 58. This parkway goes northeast to Elizabethtown and west to Eddyville.
U.S. Route 62 also goes through Central City. It passes south of the city center. This route leads northeast to Beaver Dam. It also goes southwest to Greenville, which is the main town of Muhlenberg County. U.S. Route 431 goes through downtown Central City. It leads north to Owensboro and south to Russellville.
Central City covers about 5.25 square miles (13.59 square kilometers). Only a tiny part of this area is water. The land in Central City has rolling hills. There are also steep bluffs along the Green River to the north. The city's northwestern border has swamps and lowlands. These areas stay wet all year.
Most of Central City has a sandstone base. Below this, there is a type of bituminous coal. Central City has many old underground coal mine shafts. These tunnels go across the city. Most of them are from the early 1900s. Much of the land around the city has been reclaimed. This means it was used for mining and then restored.
Population of Central City
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 1,144 | — | |
| 1900 | 1,348 | 17.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,545 | 88.8% | |
| 1920 | 3,108 | 22.1% | |
| 1930 | 4,321 | 39.0% | |
| 1940 | 4,199 | −2.8% | |
| 1950 | 4,110 | −2.1% | |
| 1960 | 3,694 | −10.1% | |
| 1970 | 5,450 | 47.5% | |
| 1980 | 5,214 | −4.3% | |
| 1990 | 4,979 | −4.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,893 | 18.4% | |
| 2010 | 5,978 | 1.4% | |
| 2020 | 5,819 | −2.7% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 5,810 | −2.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, there were 5,893 people living in Central City. There were 2,065 households. About 1,410 of these were families. The city had about 1,126 people per square mile.
The population included people of different ages. About 20% were under 18 years old. About 16% were 65 years or older. The average age in the city was 38 years.
Education in Central City
Central City has its own schools. These include Central City Elementary School. Students from this school then go to Muhlenberg North Middle School. After that, they attend Muhlenberg County High School.
Central City is also home to a campus of Madisonville Community College. This campus opened in 2001.
The city also has a lending library. It is a part of the Muhlenberg County Public Library system.
Media in Central City
Central City has several local media outlets:
- WMTA AM 1380: This radio station started in 1955.
- WNES AM: This station also began in 1955. It is owned by the Andy Anderson Corporation.
- WEKV FM 101.9: This is a powerful 100,000-watt station. It is also owned by the Andy Anderson Corporation. Its main studio is in Central City.
- Many regional radio stations have repeaters in Central City. These help them broadcast their signals.
- Leader-News: This is a weekly newspaper. It moved to Central City in the 1960s. It is also owned by the Andy Anderson Corporation.
- Times Argus: This weekly newspaper started in 1909.
Economy of Central City
Central City has several important employers. These businesses provide many jobs for local residents.
- Brewco
- Brewer, Inc.
- Green River Correctional Complex
- Kentucky Utilities Green River Generating Station
- Armstrong Coal Company Parkway Mine
- KenAmerican Paradise Underground Mine
- Wal-Mart Supercenter
- Central City Elementary School
Arts and Culture in Central City
Everly Brothers Homecoming and Labor Day Cruise-In
In 1988, Central City started hosting The Everly Brothers Homecoming event. This event raised money for scholarships for students in Muhlenberg County. The Homecoming was a popular yearly event for 14 years. It ended in 2002.
However, the community decided to create a new event. They started a weekend-long cruise-in and car show. This event is still held every year on Labor Day Weekend.
Kentucky Women's Hall of Fame, Inc.
The Kentucky Women's Hall of Fame is in the Central City Public Library. It is located at 108 E. Broad Street. This Hall of Fame is supported by the Central City Business & Professional Women's Club. It features portraits and items from famous women. These include former Governor Martha Layne Collins and country music star Loretta Lynn. It also honors local author Agnes S. Harralson.
You can visit the Central City Library to see the Hall of Fame. The library is open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thursday, it's open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Friday, it's open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Saturday, it's open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can find more information at www.mcplib.org.
Muhlenberg County Rail Trail
The Muhlenberg County Rail Trail is a paved path. It follows an old railway route. This trail connects Central City and Greenville. People can use it for walking, running, and biking. No motorized vehicles are allowed.
This trail is Kentucky's longest rail trail conversion so far. It opened on October 20, 2000. The Rails to Trails Conservancy named it "Trail of the Month" in May 2004. There is a special viewing platform along the trail. It is in a local wetland area. You can also find a birding guide there. The committee that manages the trail has plans to make it even longer.
Notable People from Central City
Many interesting people have connections to Central City. Here are a few:
- Tom Christerson: He was the second person to receive an artificial heart.
- T. Coleman du Pont: He managed the Central Coal & Iron Company. Later, he became president of Dupont. He also served as a senator for Delaware.
- Don Everly: He was a famous musician from The Everly Brothers.
- Bernard Hickman: He was a former head coach for the Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team.
- Halley G. Maddox: He was a major general in the US Army.
- Ziggy Sears: He was a Major League Baseball umpire.
- Jim Walker: A talented musician.
- Corky Withrow: A baseball player.
Images for kids
-
Downtown in 2022
-
Flag of Central City, Kentucky
-
Seal of Central City, Kentucky
-
Location in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky
See also
In Spanish: Central City (Kentucky) para niños
