Lexington, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lexington, Indiana
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Businesses in the center of the community
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Location of Lexington in the state of Indiana
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Scott |
| Township | Lexington |
| Elevation | 630 ft (190 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
47138
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| Area code(s) | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-43164 |
| GNIS feature ID | 437811 |
Lexington is a small, historic community in Scott County, Indiana. It is located about 10 miles west of the Ohio River. This area is considered an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own local government like a city or town.
Lexington was founded even before Indiana became the 19th state in 1816. For many years, from 1820 to 1874, it served as the "county seat" for Scott County. This means it was the main town where the county government offices were located. Later, the county seat moved to Scottsburg. This change caused some disagreements between the residents of the two towns for several decades.
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A Look Back: Lexington's Story
Lexington began as a settlement in 1804. It was officially planned out in 1810. At one point, it was even considered to be the first state capital of Indiana! However, Corydon was chosen instead.
Becoming a County Seat
Lexington was first part of Jefferson County. In 1820, Scott County was created. It was formed from parts of several nearby counties. These included Jennings, Jefferson, Clark, Washington, and Jackson counties.
Many of the early settlers in this part of Indiana came from the Upper South. They often traveled by the Ohio River. Since Lexington was the only town in the new Scott County, it was chosen as the county seat.
Moving the County Seat
As more people settled in the northern parts of Scott County, some wanted the county seat to move. They wanted it to be in a more central location. There were several attempts to move it, but they were not successful for a long time.
Finally, in 1874, residents voted to move the county seat to Scottsburg. To avoid any trouble, the county records were moved from the courthouse at night. This move created some tension between the two towns for many years.
Post Office and Civil War
Lexington has had a post office operating since 1820. This shows how long the community has been an important place.
During the Civil War, a group called Morgan's Raiders passed through Lexington. This happened on July 10–11, 1863. The town offered little resistance when they arrived.
The Reno Gang's Connection
The Reno Gang was a group known for committing some of the first train robberies in the United States. In 1868, they were held at the Scott County Jail in Lexington. This was after a robbery they committed near Marshfield.
Later, they were moved to the Floyd County Jail in New Albany. On December 11, 1868, a group of people broke into the jail. The Reno Gang members died during this event.
Notable People from Lexington
- William Hayden English: He was a Democratic Vice-Presidential candidate in the 1880 United States presidential election.
