Lewisport, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewisport, Kentucky
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Historic buildings in Lewisport
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Location of Lewisport in Hancock County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Hancock |
| Incorporated | 1844 |
| Reïncorporated | 1882 |
| Named for | a local landowner |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.97 sq mi (2.51 km2) |
| • Land | 0.95 sq mi (2.47 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.04 km2) |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,767 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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1,754 |
| • Density | 1,854.14/sq mi (716.19/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
42351
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| Area code(s) | 270 & 364 |
| FIPS code | 21-45136 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0496341 |
Lewisport is a small city located in Hancock County, Kentucky, in the United States. It sits right by the Ohio River. In 2020, about 1,767 people lived there, making it the biggest town in Hancock County. Lewisport is also part of the larger Owensboro metropolitan area.
Contents
History of Lewisport
Lewisport started as a place where people could cross the river by ferry. It was first called "Little Yellow Banks." This name was similar to Owensboro's old name, "Yellow Banks."
Founding the Town
The first person to settle here was James Prentis. In 1837, he and his brother John planned out the town. James wanted to name the town after his friend, Dr. John Lewis. So, the town was named "Lewisport" in 1839. A post office opened there in 1844. The city officially became a city that same year. It had to be re-established as a city in 1882.
Early Industries and Challenges
In the beginning, the main jobs were cutting down trees (logging) and building flatboats. These boats were used to carry goods on the river. Lewisport has faced many floods from the river. Also, because of all the wood used in building, there have been several big fires.
Abraham Lincoln's First Case
A very famous person, Abraham Lincoln, won his first court case in Lewisport. This happened in the Pate House, which was the local court at the time. Lincoln was accused of running a ferry across the Ohio River without a license. But the judge decided he was not guilty. Today, the Pate House is an important landmark in the county. You can even take tours there.
Changes Over Time
During the Civil War, in 1864, a steamship called the Morning Star was robbed here. Three soldiers were killed during this event. The only bank in Lewisport closed during the Great Depression. This was a very tough time for the country.
The Lewisport School System started in 1938. It had eight small, one-room schools. Today, these schools are part of the larger Hancock County Consolidated School System.
Geography of Lewisport
Lewisport is located in the northwest part of Hancock County. It is on the south bank of the Ohio River. The city covers about 2.5 square kilometers (0.97 square miles) of land.
Nearby Areas
The closest places to cross the river are about 16 kilometers (10 miles) away. You can go east to Hawesville or west to U.S. Route 231 near Rockport, Indiana. U.S. Route 60 is a main road that goes through the southern part of Lewisport.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 308 | — | |
| 1880 | 362 | 17.5% | |
| 1890 | 435 | 20.2% | |
| 1900 | 328 | −24.6% | |
| 1910 | 596 | 81.7% | |
| 1920 | 572 | −4.0% | |
| 1930 | 574 | 0.3% | |
| 1940 | 591 | 3.0% | |
| 1950 | 656 | 11.0% | |
| 1960 | 610 | −7.0% | |
| 1970 | 1,595 | 161.5% | |
| 1980 | 1,832 | 14.9% | |
| 1990 | 1,778 | −2.9% | |
| 2000 | 1,639 | −7.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,670 | 1.9% | |
| 2020 | 1,767 | 5.8% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,754 | 5.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2000, Lewisport had 1,639 people living in 648 homes. The average home had about 2 to 3 people. About 25.8% of the people were under 18 years old. The median age was 35 years. This means half the people were younger than 35 and half were older.
Education in Lewisport
Lewisport has a lending library. It is a part of the Hancock County Public Library system. The city used to have Lewisport Elementary School. In 2006, this school was replaced by North Hancock Elementary School.
