Versailles, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Versailles, Kentucky
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Main Street
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| Motto(s):
"Proud to be a Kentucky Renaissance City"
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Location of Versailles in Woodford County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Woodford |
| Established | June 24, 1794 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.35 sq mi (16.44 km2) |
| • Land | 6.31 sq mi (16.33 km2) |
| • Water | 0.04 sq mi (0.11 km2) |
| Elevation | 912 ft (278 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,347 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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10,416 |
| • Density | 1,640.56/sq mi (633.44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
40383, 40384, 40386
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| Area code(s) | 859 |
| FIPS code | 21-79482 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2405645 |
Versailles is a city in Woodford County, Kentucky, United States. It is about 13 miles (21 km) west of Lexington. Versailles is part of the larger Lexington-Fayette area. It is also the main city, or county seat, of Woodford County. In 2024, about 10,534 people lived there. The city's name is pronounced "ver-SAYLZ," which is different from the French city of Versailles near Paris.
Contents
History of Versailles
Versailles was started on June 23, 1792. It was built on 80 acres of land that belonged to a child named Hezekiah Briscoe. His guardian, Major Marquis Calmes, chose the name. He named the town after Versailles, France. This was done to honor General Lafayette, who was a friend of the family.
The area around Versailles in Kentucky is known as the Bluegrass Region. This region became famous for its fast horses, called thoroughbreds, and other farm animals. Versailles officially became a city on February 13, 1837. During the American Civil War, soldiers from both the Confederate and Union armies briefly took over the city.
Geography of the City
Versailles is located in Kentucky. The United States Census Bureau says that the city covers about 2.8 square miles (7.25 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 172 | — | |
| 1810 | 488 | 183.7% | |
| 1830 | 904 | — | |
| 1840 | 1,044 | 15.5% | |
| 1860 | 1,142 | — | |
| 1870 | 3,268 | 186.2% | |
| 1900 | 2,337 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,268 | −3.0% | |
| 1920 | 2,056 | −9.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,338 | 13.7% | |
| 1940 | 2,548 | 9.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,760 | 8.3% | |
| 1960 | 4,060 | 47.1% | |
| 1970 | 5,679 | 39.9% | |
| 1980 | 6,427 | 13.2% | |
| 1990 | 7,269 | 13.1% | |
| 2000 | 7,511 | 3.3% | |
| 2010 | 8,568 | 14.1% | |
| 2020 | 10,347 | 20.8% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 10,416 | 21.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The population of Versailles has grown a lot over the years. In 1800, only 172 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 10,347 people. This shows how the city has expanded over time.
Economy and Jobs
The area around Versailles, in the Inner Bluegrass Region, is very important for horses. It is a major center for horse breeding and training. Many famous thoroughbred and standardbred racehorses are raised and trained here. People also raise saddlebred horses for fun riding.
Some of the well-known thoroughbred horse farms in the area include Woodburn Stud, Lane's End Farm, and WinStar Farm.
Versailles is also home to the Woodford Reserve Distillery. This is a place where bourbon whiskey is made. It is part of the famous Bourbon Trail, which is a popular tourist route. You can also visit the Bluegrass Railroad and Museum in Versailles.
Versailles in Movies
Versailles has been a filming location for several movies.
- Many small-town scenes in the movie Elizabethtown (2005) were filmed here.
- The movie Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story (2005) was also set in Versailles.
- A scene in the film Secretariat (2010) was filmed at Pisgah Pike Church. This movie is about a famous racehorse.
- The Flim-Flam Man (1967) was filmed in and around Versailles. Parts of it were shot at Paynes Depot and on Clifton Road.
Education and Learning
Versailles has a lending library. It is a branch of the Woodford County Public Library. This library offers books and other resources for everyone in the community.
Famous People from Versailles
Many notable people have connections to Versailles:
- Jack Blackburn: A professional boxer and trainer for Joe Louis.
- Joseph Clay Stiles Blackburn: A U.S. Congressman and U.S. Senator.
- Ben Chandler: Served as Kentucky Attorney General and a U.S. Congressman.
- Happy Chandler: A former Kentucky governor, U.S. senator, and Commissioner of Baseball.
- Martha Layne Collins: A former Kentucky governor.
- John Conlee: A country music singer.
- John J. Crittenden: A Kentucky governor, U.S. Congressman, senator, and attorney general.
- Randall L. Gibson: A politician who became a U.S. Representative and senator from Louisiana.
- Field Harris: A USMC general who fought in World War II and the Korean War.
- Virginia Cary Hudson: An American writer.
- Drake Jackson: An American football player in the NFL.
- Shaun King: An activist and leader in the Black Lives Matter movement.
- Robert K. Massie: An American journalist and historian.
- Noel F. Parrish: A USAF general.
- Edward Platt: An actor known for playing "The Chief" in Get Smart.
- Stephen S. Sawyer: An artist and writer.
- Charles Scott: A brigadier general during the American Revolution and the fourth governor of Kentucky.
- William Shatner: An actor and owner of Saddlebred horses.
- Sturgill Simpson: A singer and songwriter.
- Kenny Troutt: The owner of Excel Communications and Winstar Farm.
- Henry Ward: A Kentucky Commissioner of Highways and Commissioner of State Parks.
- Ernest E. West: A U.S. Army soldier who received the Medal of Honor.
See also
In Spanish: Versailles (Kentucky) para niños
