Jefferson County, Virginia facts for kids
Virginia has twice named counties Jefferson County for one of its most revered sons, Thomas Jefferson. However, Virginia later lost these counties when new states were formed. This means that while Virginia once had a Jefferson County, those areas are now part of other states.
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What is a County?
A county is a type of local government area. It's like a smaller section within a state. Counties help organize things like schools, roads, and local laws.
Named After Thomas Jefferson
Both of these "Jefferson Counties" were named after Thomas Jefferson. He was a very important person in American history. Thomas Jefferson was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He was also the third President of the United States, serving from 1801 to 1809. He helped write the Declaration of Independence, which announced America's freedom from Great Britain.
Jefferson County, Kentucky
The first Jefferson County that Virginia lost became part of the state of Kentucky. This happened in 1792. Before 1792, Kentucky was actually a part of Virginia. When Kentucky became its own state, Jefferson County went with it. Today, Jefferson County, Kentucky, is home to the city of Louisville.
Jefferson County, West Virginia
The second Jefferson County that Virginia lost became part of West Virginia. This happened much later, in 1863. During the American Civil War, some western parts of Virginia separated to form a new state called West Virginia. Jefferson County was one of the areas that became part of this new state.
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