Campbellsville, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Campbellsville is a city in Taylor County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population within city limits was 10,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Taylor County
, and the home of Campbellsville University
. Campbellsville is twinned with Buncrana, County Donegal
, Ireland
.
. Campbell owned a gristmill and a tavern, and began selling lots in Campbellsville in 1814. Campbellsville became the county seat when Taylor County was separated from Green County in 1848. The city agreed to sell the public square to the county for one dollar so a courthouse could be built there.
The first courthouse was burned by Confederate
cavalry in 1864 because the Union Army
was using it for barracks. A replacement courthouse was built on the same site after the war. A third courthouse in a modern design was built in 1965 on a property adjoining the "old courthouse". A portion of the old courthouse still stands near the current (3rd) courthouse. Construction began in 2008 on a new Justice Center because of the demand for a more modern courthouse and for an "official" county jail (to save on transport of inmates to neighboring Lebanon
in Marion County).
. Notably, the Campbellsville Historic Commercial District
includes several blocks of Main Street. The most notable structure in this district is Merchant Tower
(formally Merchants Hotel) which has Romanesque architecture
and is listed individually on the National Register of Historical Places since 1980.
Just north of Campbellsville is the Spurlington Tunnel, it is said to be haunted by 3 different ghosts, the most famous was Nancy Bass. It is about 1,900 feet long and about a 1/3 the way in there is a shaft to the top.
and a designated historic district
. The 100 and 200 block of Main Street are lined with century old brick, stone, and iron buildings with Italianate architecture
facades. Since 2008, Campbellsville has been undergoing a revitalization with the help of a Main Street Manager
. Campbellsville is known regionally for its Fourth Of July celebration.
.
Campbellsville has two public school systems: Taylor County and Campbellsville Independent.
In the 21st century, the local university, health care system, and ubiquitous access to the internet are attracting students and professionals.
For decades, employment in the area was dominated by a large Fruit of the Loom
plant, formerly known as Union Underwear, which closed in 1998, along with, shortly thereafter, the Indiana
-based Batesville Casket Company
.Amazon.com
soon moved to fill the employment void, and ten other businesses either located or relocated to Taylor County over the next several years.
Campbellsville is home to an Amazon.com regional fulfillment center.
Parker-Kalon Company, a division of Black and Decker Corporation, is located here as well. It has produced threaded and non-threaded fasteners for the automotive, appliance, metal building construction, and electronic industries since the late 1960s.
The area is home to wood milling companies that produce interior trim products (Cox Interior, Wholesale Hardwoods).
An expanding health care industry serves the region of 110,000 people. Taylor Regional Hospital is one of the largest employers. In 2008, TRH served 86,100 patients.
In 1969, there was a booming oil business that was shutdown due to environmental concerns of excess salt water disposal. In 2008, attempts were being made to revitalize oil reserves estimated at 200000000 barrels (31,797,459,000 l) Original Oil-In-Place (OOIP).
Campbellsville Industries (CI) "The Steeple People (tm)" is the oldest and largest steeple and tower manufacturer in the United States. CI has over 15,000 installations located throughout the 50 United States, Canada. CI claims the record for the worlds largest prefabricated church steeple at 229' at the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
Tourism is also part of the local economy due to close proximity of Green River Lake
and Green River Lake State Park
.
Campbellsville is also home to the last Druther's (a.k.a. Burger Queen) restaurant in existence.
Campbellsville is near the geographical center of Kentucky.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which, 6 square miles (15.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (1.65%) is water.
US 68, KY 55, KY 210, and KY 70 pass through Campbellsville.
of 2000, there were 10,498 people, 4,432 households, and 2,814 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,760.9 people per square mile (680.1/km²). There were 4,876 housing units at an average density of 817.9 per square mile (315.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.11% White, 8.74% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races
, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 4,432 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples
living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,922, and the median income for a family was $30,643. Males had a median income of $26,672 versus $19,736 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,996. About 18.7% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.6% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Taylor County, Kentucky
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,927. Its county seat is Campbellsville. The county is named for President Zachary Taylor, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor is a moist county...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population within city limits was 10,498 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Taylor County
Taylor County, Kentucky
Taylor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 22,927. Its county seat is Campbellsville. The county is named for President Zachary Taylor, who served from 1849 to 1850. Taylor is a moist county...
, and the home of Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
. Campbellsville is twinned with Buncrana, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
History
The city was founded in 1817 and laid out by Andrew Campbell, who had moved there from Augusta County, VirginiaAugusta County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 65,615 people, 24,818 households, and 18,911 families residing in the county. The population density was 68 people per square mile . There were 26,738 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
. Campbell owned a gristmill and a tavern, and began selling lots in Campbellsville in 1814. Campbellsville became the county seat when Taylor County was separated from Green County in 1848. The city agreed to sell the public square to the county for one dollar so a courthouse could be built there.
The first courthouse was burned by Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
cavalry in 1864 because the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
was using it for barracks. A replacement courthouse was built on the same site after the war. A third courthouse in a modern design was built in 1965 on a property adjoining the "old courthouse". A portion of the old courthouse still stands near the current (3rd) courthouse. Construction began in 2008 on a new Justice Center because of the demand for a more modern courthouse and for an "official" county jail (to save on transport of inmates to neighboring Lebanon
Lebanon, Kentucky
Lebanon is a city in Marion County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 6,331 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Marion County. Lebanon is located in central Kentucky, southeast of Louisville. A national cemetery is located nearby....
in Marion County).
Historical Places
Campbellsville has several historic sites as listed under Taylor County in the National Register of Historic Places listings in KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Kentucky
This is a list of properties and historic districts in Kentucky that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. There are listings in all of Kentucky's 120 counties....
. Notably, the Campbellsville Historic Commercial District
Campbellsville Historic Commercial District
Campbellsville, Kentucky is a century old city. The National Register of Historic Places designates a collection of about 20 buildings in downtown Campbellsville.-Location:...
includes several blocks of Main Street. The most notable structure in this district is Merchant Tower
Merchant Tower
Merchant Tower is a historic structure in Campbellsville, Kentucky, United States. Built in 1910, it is listed as "Merchant's Hotel" on the National Register of Historic Places and is a part of the Campbellsville Historic Commercial District.-External links:**...
(formally Merchants Hotel) which has Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of Medieval Europe characterised by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque architecture, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 10th century. It developed in the 12th century into the Gothic style,...
and is listed individually on the National Register of Historical Places since 1980.
Just north of Campbellsville is the Spurlington Tunnel, it is said to be haunted by 3 different ghosts, the most famous was Nancy Bass. It is about 1,900 feet long and about a 1/3 the way in there is a shaft to the top.
Downtown
Downtown Campbellsville includes a Main StreetMain Street
Main Street is the metonym for a generic street name of the primary retail street of a village, town, or small city in many parts of the world...
and a designated historic district
Historic district (United States)
In the United States, a historic district is a group of buildings, properties, or sites that have been designated by one of several entities on different levels as historically or architecturally significant. Buildings, structures, objects and sites within a historic district are normally divided...
. The 100 and 200 block of Main Street are lined with century old brick, stone, and iron buildings with Italianate architecture
Italianate architecture
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and...
facades. Since 2008, Campbellsville has been undergoing a revitalization with the help of a Main Street Manager
Main Street Manager
A main street manager is a United States professional who helps small cities and towns maintain and improve their main street typically through a government program or public-private partnership...
. Campbellsville is known regionally for its Fourth Of July celebration.
Education
Campbellsville is home to a private university, Campbellsville UniversityCampbellsville University
Campbellsville University, also known as CU, is a private university in Campbellsville, Kentucky, the seat of Taylor County. Founded as Russell Creek Academy, a Baptist institution, the university currently enrolls more than 3,000 students and is open to students of all denominations...
.
Campbellsville has two public school systems: Taylor County and Campbellsville Independent.
Industry
In the 20th century, Campbellsville was a regional center of industry (agriculture, lumber, textiles, milling, automotive, distribution, oil and gas, light manufacturing, education, health care, and tourism).In the 21st century, the local university, health care system, and ubiquitous access to the internet are attracting students and professionals.
For decades, employment in the area was dominated by a large Fruit of the Loom
Fruit of the Loom
Fruit of the Loom is an American company which manufactures clothing, particularly underwear. The company's world headquarters is in Bowling Green, Kentucky. It is currently a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway.-Company profile:...
plant, formerly known as Union Underwear, which closed in 1998, along with, shortly thereafter, the Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
-based Batesville Casket Company
Batesville Casket Company
Batesville Casket Company is a manufacturer of caskets and cremation urns. The company is a subsidiary of Hillenbrand, Inc., and is headquartered in Batesville, Indiana....
.Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
soon moved to fill the employment void, and ten other businesses either located or relocated to Taylor County over the next several years.
Campbellsville is home to an Amazon.com regional fulfillment center.
Parker-Kalon Company, a division of Black and Decker Corporation, is located here as well. It has produced threaded and non-threaded fasteners for the automotive, appliance, metal building construction, and electronic industries since the late 1960s.
The area is home to wood milling companies that produce interior trim products (Cox Interior, Wholesale Hardwoods).
An expanding health care industry serves the region of 110,000 people. Taylor Regional Hospital is one of the largest employers. In 2008, TRH served 86,100 patients.
In 1969, there was a booming oil business that was shutdown due to environmental concerns of excess salt water disposal. In 2008, attempts were being made to revitalize oil reserves estimated at 200000000 barrels (31,797,459,000 l) Original Oil-In-Place (OOIP).
Campbellsville Industries (CI) "The Steeple People (tm)" is the oldest and largest steeple and tower manufacturer in the United States. CI has over 15,000 installations located throughout the 50 United States, Canada. CI claims the record for the worlds largest prefabricated church steeple at 229' at the First Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
Tourism is also part of the local economy due to close proximity of Green River Lake
Green River Lake
Green River Lake is a reservoir in Adair, Taylor, and Casey counties in Kentucky lying in the section of Kentucky known as the Highland Rim. The lake was formed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers in 1969 by impounding the Green River. The dam is an 11 mile drive equidistant from the...
and Green River Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park
Green River Lake State Park is a park located near Campbellsville, Kentucky in Taylor County. The park itself encompasses , while Green River Lake, its major feature, covers approximately .-External links:**...
.
Campbellsville is also home to the last Druther's (a.k.a. Burger Queen) restaurant in existence.
Media
The local twice-weeky newspaper, the Central Kentucky News-Journal, has been published since 1910.Geography
Campbellsville is located at 37°20′45"N 85°20′44"W (37.345951, -85.345444).Campbellsville is near the geographical center of Kentucky.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 6.1 square miles (15.8 km²), of which, 6 square miles (15.5 km²) is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) (1.65%) is water.
US 68, KY 55, KY 210, and KY 70 pass through Campbellsville.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 10,498 people, 4,432 households, and 2,814 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,760.9 people per square mile (680.1/km²). There were 4,876 housing units at an average density of 817.9 per square mile (315.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 89.11% White, 8.74% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.61% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.
There were 4,432 households out of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.5% were non-families. 33.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.8% under the age of 18, 14.0% from 18 to 24, 23.9% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 83.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,922, and the median income for a family was $30,643. Males had a median income of $26,672 versus $19,736 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $15,996. About 18.7% of families and 21.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.6% of those under age 18 and 17.5% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- Damon E. AllenDamon E. AllenDamon Earl Allen, Sr., was an optometrist from Campbellsville in central Kentucky, who as a three-term president of the Kentucky Optometric Association led the campaign to procure passage in the Kentucky State Legislature of a bill permitting optometrists to prescribe medication for their...
, optometrist and civic leader who led the campaign to legally permit optometrists to prescribe medication to their patients - Ray H. AltmanRay H. AltmanRay Heistand Altman is a businessman and former Kentucky state politician. He is an insurance agency owner in Campbellsville, the seat of Taylor County in central Kentucky.-Biography:...
, former state representative - Sandra Clark BlantonSandra BlantonSandra "Sandy" Clark Blanton is a Democratic member of the Indiana House of Representatives, representing the 62nd District since 2007.Blanton is a daughter of Robert S. and Lillian B. Clark of Campbellsville, Kentucky...
, member of the Indiana House of RepresentativesIndiana House of RepresentativesThe Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits... - John "Bam" CarneyJohn "Bam" CarneyJohn Mitchel Owen Carney, known as Bam Carney is the Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from District 51 John Mitchel Owen Carney, known as Bam Carney (born September 30) is the Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from District 51 John Mitchel Owen...
, current state representative - Ricky Lee CoxRicky Lee CoxRicky Lee Cox is a dentist in Campbellsville, Kentucky, who served two terms from 1997-2001 as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives....
, dentist and former state representative - Zack CoxZack CoxZackary Kendrick Cox was born in Louisville, Kentucky and played baseball at Pleasure Ridge Park High School before becoming an American baseball infielder in the St. Louis Cardinals organization....
, professional baseball player - Damon R. EubankDamon R. EubankDamon R. Eubank is an historian at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Kentucky, principally known for his study of the family of U.S. Senator John J. Crittenden, In the Shadow of the Patriarch: The John J...
, historian at Campbellsville University - Betty Jane Gorin-SmithBetty Jane Gorin-SmithBetty Jane Mitchell Gorin-Smith, known as Betty Jane Gorin-Smith , is an independent historian from Campbellsville in Taylor County in central Kentucky, best known for her book Morgan Is Coming!': Confederate Raiders in the Heartland of Kentucky, a study of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan's...
, historian - Clem HaskinsClem HaskinsClem Smith Haskins is a retired American college and professional basketball player and college basketball coach. He and star player Dwight Smith became the first black athletes to integrate the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers basketball program in the fall of 1963. This put Western Kentucky at the...
, former college and professional basketball player and college basketball coach - J. B. HolmesJ. B. HolmesJohn Bradley "J.B." Holmes is an American professional golfer.-Early life:Holmes was born in Campbellsville, the seat of Taylor County, in central Kentucky. Holmes began to play on the varsity golf team at Taylor County High School in Campbellsville when he was in the third grade. He suffered a...
, professional golfer - Robert L. MillerRobert L. MillerRobert L. Miller, Sr., also known as Bobby Miller , was a politician and civic leader from Campbellsville in Taylor County in central Kentucky. He was principally known for his work as the mayor of the small city of Campbellsville from 1966 to 1998.-Background:Miller was born in Taylor County to...
, mayor of Campbellsville, 1966–1998 - Russ MobleyRuss MobleyRussell G. Mobley, known as Russ Mobley is a Republican former member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from District 51 in the south central portion of the state....
, former state representative - Doug MoseleyDoug MoseleyDouglas Dewayne Moseley, known as Doug Moseley , is a retired United Methodist minister and author who served as a Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate from 1974 to 1986...
, former state senator - Paul E. OsbornePaul E. OsbornePaul Edward Osborne is a realtor who served as the mayor of Campbellsville in Taylor County in central Kentucky from 1999 to 2002....
, mayor of Campbellsville, 1999–2002 - Herman RattliffHerman RattliffHerman Willard Rattliff is a retired businessman from Campbellsville, Kentucky, who served from 1968-1986 as a Republican member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. He authored the Rattliff-Ward Textbook Act of 1976....
, former state representative - Forest ShelyForest ShelyForest Franklin Shely was a physician from Campbellsville, Kentucky, who served as a trustee at the Baptist-affiliated Campbellsville University for fifty-six years.-Background:...
(1924–2010), physician and civic leader - Gilbert R. TredwayGilbert R. TredwayGilbert Riley Tredway is a retired historian from Indiana and Kentucky, who has authored two books relating to the American Civil War.-Early years, military, education:...
, historian; formerly at Campbellsville University - Kenneth W. WintersKenneth W. WintersKenneth W. Winters is a Republican member of the Kentucky State Senate from Murray in western Kentucky, who formerly served as president of Baptist-affiliated Campbellsville University....
, former president of Campbellsville University; Kentucky state senator - Paul Campbell, Jr., former baseball player with Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers
External links
- http://www.campbellsville.com - A portal website by a private company.
- http://www.downtowncampbellsville.com - Merchant's website.
- http://www.merchanttower.com - Registered historic place. Official site.
- http://www.campbellsvillechamber.com - Chamber of Commerce
- http://www.teamtaylorcounty.com/ - Economic Development Authority
- http://www.campbellsvilleky.com/ - Tourism Commission
- http://parks.ky.gov/findparks/recparks/gr/ - Kentucky State Parks