Lebanon, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lebanon, Kentucky
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Downtown Lebanon
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Location in Marion County, Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Marion |
| Named for | The biblical land famed for its cedars |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.41 sq mi (16.59 km2) |
| • Land | 6.37 sq mi (16.50 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 791 ft (241 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,274 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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6,436 |
| • Density | 984.93/sq mi (380.28/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
40033
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-44344 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0496130 |
Lebanon is a city in Kentucky, United States. It is the main town of Marion County. In 2020, about 6,274 people lived there. This was more than the 5,539 people counted in 2010.
Lebanon is in the middle of Kentucky. It is about 63 miles (101 km) southeast of Louisville. A special cemetery for soldiers, called a national cemetery, is also nearby.
Contents
History of Lebanon
Before this city was called Lebanon, another town in Kentucky, Georgetown, had the same name. It was renamed in 1790 to honor President George Washington.
Founding the City
The Lebanon we know today was started in 1814. It got its name from the Biblical land of Lebanon. This was because many cedar trees grew there. The first people to settle here were Presbyterians from Virginia. They built a church called the Hardin's Creek Meeting House.
Lebanon officially became a city on January 28, 1815. In 1835, it became the main town, or county seat, for Marion County. Because of its buildings and businesses, Lebanon was once called Kentucky's Philadelphia. Some even thought it could become the state capital.
Early Growth and Travel
In the 1800s, Lebanon was an important stop on a major road. This road, called the National Turnpike, went from Maysville to Nashville. In 1819, famous leaders Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson met in Lebanon.
Many old brick homes in Lebanon were built before the Civil War. These include Hollyhill and Myrtledene. Myrtledene is now a bed and breakfast. A large part of Lebanon's downtown area is now listed as a historic place.
Lebanon During the Civil War
A train track, part of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, reached Lebanon in 1857. But the Civil War stopped the city's growth. Three battles were fought near Lebanon. Control of the railroad changed hands many times between the Union and Confederate armies.
On July 5, 1863, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan attacked Lebanon. His cavalry burned the train station, a hotel, and several homes. This happened during the Battle of Lebanon. Morgan was very upset because his brother, Tom, had died in a local battle.
Civil War Landmarks
Lebanon has a special tour of its historic homes and landmarks. It is part of the Kentucky Civil War Heritage Trail. There are 24 places on this tour. Three important spots are on the Civil War Discovery Trail:
- The Commissary Building: This old building supplied food and goods to the Union soldiers in town.
- The Shuck Building: Now Henning's Restaurant, this was the office of General George H. Thomas. He gathered thousands of soldiers here to defend the Cumberland Valley.
- Myrtledene: General John Hunt Morgan used this house as his headquarters. He even rode his horse inside and up the stairs!
South of Lebanon is the National Cemetery. Many Union soldiers who died in the 1862 Battle of Perryville are buried here. The cemetery holds many military funerals. It also hosts Memorial Day celebrations every year.
After the War and Entertainment
After the Civil War, Lebanon grew again as a trade center. But as trains became less important, the city's trade slowed down in the 1900s. The train tracks were eventually removed in the 1980s.
In the 1950s, 60s, and early 70s, Lebanon was known for its exciting nightlife. Famous musicians performed at clubs like The Plantation and Club Cherry. Some of these stars included Ike and Tina Turner, Nat King Cole, Jerry Lee Lewis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, The Platters, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jackie Wilson, The Supremes, Ray Charles, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, B.B. King, Percy Sledge, Bobby Blue Bland and Count Basie.
Geography
Lebanon is located in the middle of Marion County. It is about 28 miles (45 km) west of Danville. It is also about 18 miles (29 km) north of Campbellsville.
Several main roads meet in Lebanon. These include U.S. Route 68 and Kentucky Routes 55, 52, and 49.
The city covers about 6.4 square miles (16.6 km²). Most of this is land, with a small amount of water. Hardins Creek flows through the southern part of Lebanon. This creek eventually leads to the Ohio River.
Population Data
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 384 | — | |
| 1840 | 546 | 42.2% | |
| 1860 | 953 | — | |
| 1870 | 1,925 | 102.0% | |
| 1880 | 2,054 | 6.7% | |
| 1890 | 2,816 | 37.1% | |
| 1900 | 3,043 | 8.1% | |
| 1910 | 3,077 | 1.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,239 | 5.3% | |
| 1930 | 3,248 | 0.3% | |
| 1940 | 3,786 | 16.6% | |
| 1950 | 4,640 | 22.6% | |
| 1960 | 4,813 | 3.7% | |
| 1970 | 5,528 | 14.9% | |
| 1980 | 6,590 | 19.2% | |
| 1990 | 5,695 | −13.6% | |
| 2000 | 5,718 | 0.4% | |
| 2010 | 5,539 | −3.1% | |
| 2020 | 6,274 | 13.3% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 6,436 | 16.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Lebanon has changed over the years. In 2000, there were 5,718 people living in the city. By 2020, the population had grown to 6,274.
The average age of people in Lebanon in 2000 was 37 years old. About 23.7% of the population was under 18. About 18.5% of the population was 65 or older.
Education
All schools in Marion County are part of the Marion County School District. The main high school for the district is Marion County High School.
Lebanon also has a public library. It is called the Marion County Public Library.
School Sports
Marion County High School has had great success in sports:
- In 1993, the boys' basketball team won the state championship.
- In 2013, the girls' basketball team won the state championship. They had a perfect season, winning all 39 of their games! This is a very rare achievement in Kentucky high school basketball. Makayla Epps was named the Most Valuable Player in that championship game.
- In 2017, the boys' baseball team reached the semi-finals for the first time ever.
Culture
Lebanon is famous for its Ham Days Festival and Tractor Show. This fun event happens every year on the last weekend of September. The first Ham Days Festival was held in 1969.
Economy
A company called Diageo built a large distillery in Lebanon in 2020. A distillery is a place where alcoholic drinks are made. This project cost $130 million and created 30 full-time jobs.
Notable People
Many interesting people have come from Lebanon:
- Ernie "Turtleman" Brown, a reality TV star from the show Call of the Wildman
- Walter Noble Burns, a writer of Western stories
- Frank Chelf, who served as a congressman for Kentucky
- George Elder, a Major League Baseball player
- John Grim, another Major League Baseball player
- Jimmy Higdon, a Kentucky state senator
- J. Proctor Knott, a congressman and the 29th governor of Kentucky
- Thomas A. Spragens, a former president of Centre College
- Sam B. Thomas, a Democrat who served in the Kentucky House of Representatives
- James E. Whitlock, a Democrat who also served in the Kentucky House of Representatives
See also
In Spanish: Lebanon (Kentucky) para niños
