Stephensport, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stephensport, Kentucky
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 Stephensport, Kentucky
Location in Kentucky
Stephensport, Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Breckinridge |
| Elevation | 430 ft (130 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
40170
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| Area code(s) | 270 |
| GNIS feature ID | 515690 |
Stephensport is a small, unincorporated community located in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, United States. Being "unincorporated" means it doesn't have its own city government. This historic place sits right on the Ohio River.
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Climate in Stephensport
The weather in Stephensport usually has hot and humid summers. Winters are generally mild, meaning not too cold. This type of weather is called a humid subtropical climate. It's like many places in the southeastern United States.
Geography of Stephensport
Stephensport is found right next to the Ohio River. It is also located along Kentucky Route 144. The community is about 9.8 miles (15.8 km) north-northwest of Hardinsburg.
History of Stephensport
Early Beginnings and Naming
The history of Stephensport began with a man named Richard Stephens. He was a soldier in the American Revolution, fighting for three years. For his service, he received a large piece of land in Kentucky in 1784. He was only 29 years old at the time.
Richard Stephens continued to gain more land. By 1799, he owned over 100,000 acres. This made him the richest landowner in Breckinridge County. The community of Stephensport was planned in 1803 and named in his honor. It officially became a town in 1825.
Growth and Development
In 1830, Richard Stephens' son, Daniel J. Stephens, built a Methodist church in the community. Later, in the 1850s, a Baptist church was also formed.
During the 1800s, Stephensport was a busy and successful town. It had many different businesses, including general stores, a drug store, and warehouses. There was also a school, flour mills, a bank, hotels, and places to eat. In 1887, the town even got street lamps that used oil!
The town's economy grew because of riverboats traveling on the Ohio River. Then, in 1888, a railroad called the Louisville, Henderson & St. Louis was completed, bringing even more business. In 1896, the town bought its own city hall building.
Challenges and Changes
Stephensport faced some tough times in the early 1900s. A big fire in 1912 destroyed several stores and the bank. After 1915, the town's local government stopped meeting. Another fire in 1927 burned down two warehouses and two more stores.
The biggest challenge came with the Ohio River flood of 1937. This massive flood destroyed most of the remaining businesses that were not related to farming.
Despite these setbacks, the community saw some improvements later on. In 1950, a new bridge was built over Sinking Creek. Then, in 1952, Main Street was paved, making travel easier.
Stephensport Post Office
Stephensport has its own post office. It uses the ZIP code 40170. This post office first opened a very long time ago, on December 12, 1825.
