Lebanon Junction, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Lebanon Junction is a city in Bullitt County
, Kentucky
, United States
. The population was 1,801 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 5.3 square miles (13.7 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,801 people, 716 households, and 499 families residing in the city. The population density
was 337.9 people per square mile (130.5/km²). There were 752 housing units at an average density of 141.1 per square mile (54.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.22% White, 0.56% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.06% Asian, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 716 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples
living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,571, and the median income for a family was $38,021. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,935 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $15,890. About 11.8% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
(now CSX Transportation
) traffic off the main railroad line to the Lebanon branch that ended in Lebanon, Kentucky
. This branch was completed no later than March 8, 1858 and the town grew out of a need for railroad workers to man the terminal and switching station.
The city of Lebanon Junction was incorporated April 1, 1895. The initial population of the town was "about 700" as detailed in the official surveyors description. The town grew and prospered until May 24, 1912 when a devastating fire swept through the business district destroying several businesses and residences. This did not hamper the town's growth, however, and by the end of 1912 the business section was rebuilt offering better facilities than before.
The town continued to grow building a 1st-12th grade school in 1931. The school served as the center of town activities until 1970 when the public education system was consolidated into the Bullitt County school system as mandated by the state. Many a night, townsfolk would pack the gymnasium rebuilt in 1938 after the Ohio River flood of 1937
to watch basketball games. The school even fielded a six-man football team.
Lebanon Junction also was the site of the first parochial school in Bullitt County when Father Harold Ritter established the St. Benedict School in 1948. This school offered education in grades 1-12 from 1949-1965. In 1966 it was scaled back and offered 1-8th grades only. The school was closed in 2001.
Growth leveled off in the 1930s with the onset of the Great Depression
and the centralization of railroad operations at the southern Louisville
yards. This, coupled with the drastic decline in commuter train use, the development of diesel engines, and automated switching and traffic control lowered the importance of the railroad to the town and vice versa.
Throughout its history, the town has been rocked by flooding along the Rolling Fork river
; probably since its inception, but definitely since the great flood of 1937. Floods repeated to varying degrees in 1961, 1964, 1978, 1989, and 1997. After the flood of 1997, new levee work was completed, but that has yet to be tested by another flood.
Despite the many setbacks, both economic and natural, the town has persevered. Today its economic life revolves around its proximity to Interstate 65. Most of the economic growth of the town is centered on the highway exit now. In the 1980s, a gas station and large truck stop were constructed. In 1990, Publisher's Printing Company built a large printing facility just to the east of the exit.
Recent development in the town includes the levee work mentioned above, the construction of new wastewater processing lagoons, the addition of a Family Dollar
store and various restaurants. A new public library, completed in the summer of 2010, recalls the railroad heritage of the town.
.
is also possible. There is a country western dinner show, The Junction Jamboree, which features live entertainment and food. The town has one park and swimming pool. Additionally, the annual Old Fashion Days festival usually draws large crowds.
Bullitt County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 61,236 people, 22,171 households, and 17,736 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 23,160 housing units at an average density of...
, 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 was 1,801 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Lebanon Junction is located at 37°50′10"N 85°43′38"W (37.836197, -85.727127).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 5.3 square miles (13.7 km²), all of it land.
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 1,801 people, 716 households, and 499 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 337.9 people per square mile (130.5/km²). There were 752 housing units at an average density of 141.1 per square mile (54.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.22% White, 0.56% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.06% Asian, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.
There were 716 households out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% 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, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,571, and the median income for a family was $38,021. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,935 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 $15,890. About 11.8% of families and 14.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.4% of those under age 18 and 17.6% of those age 65 or over.
History
Lebanon Junction sprang into existence from a railroad switching point that split Louisville and Nashville RailroadLouisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville and Nashville Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated freight and passenger services in the southeast United States.Chartered by the state of Kentucky in 1850, the L&N, as it was generally known, grew into one of the great success stories of American business...
(now CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
) traffic off the main railroad line to the Lebanon branch that ended in Lebanon, Kentucky
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....
. This branch was completed no later than March 8, 1858 and the town grew out of a need for railroad workers to man the terminal and switching station.
The city of Lebanon Junction was incorporated April 1, 1895. The initial population of the town was "about 700" as detailed in the official surveyors description. The town grew and prospered until May 24, 1912 when a devastating fire swept through the business district destroying several businesses and residences. This did not hamper the town's growth, however, and by the end of 1912 the business section was rebuilt offering better facilities than before.
The town continued to grow building a 1st-12th grade school in 1931. The school served as the center of town activities until 1970 when the public education system was consolidated into the Bullitt County school system as mandated by the state. Many a night, townsfolk would pack the gymnasium rebuilt in 1938 after the Ohio River flood of 1937
Ohio River flood of 1937
The Ohio River flood of 1937 took place in late January and February 1937. With damage stretching from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, one million persons were left homeless, with 385 dead and property losses reaching $500 million...
to watch basketball games. The school even fielded a six-man football team.
Lebanon Junction also was the site of the first parochial school in Bullitt County when Father Harold Ritter established the St. Benedict School in 1948. This school offered education in grades 1-12 from 1949-1965. In 1966 it was scaled back and offered 1-8th grades only. The school was closed in 2001.
Growth leveled off in the 1930s with the onset of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and the centralization of railroad operations at the southern Louisville
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
yards. This, coupled with the drastic decline in commuter train use, the development of diesel engines, and automated switching and traffic control lowered the importance of the railroad to the town and vice versa.
Throughout its history, the town has been rocked by flooding along the Rolling Fork river
Rolling Fork (Kentucky)
The Rolling Fork is a river in central Kentucky. The river flows through Marion and Hardin counties, as well as being the border between LaRue and Nelson counties. The Rolling Fork drains much of the land in these counties, and is a key part of life in this area of the Knob Region...
; probably since its inception, but definitely since the great flood of 1937. Floods repeated to varying degrees in 1961, 1964, 1978, 1989, and 1997. After the flood of 1997, new levee work was completed, but that has yet to be tested by another flood.
Despite the many setbacks, both economic and natural, the town has persevered. Today its economic life revolves around its proximity to Interstate 65. Most of the economic growth of the town is centered on the highway exit now. In the 1980s, a gas station and large truck stop were constructed. In 1990, Publisher's Printing Company built a large printing facility just to the east of the exit.
Recent development in the town includes the levee work mentioned above, the construction of new wastewater processing lagoons, the addition of a Family Dollar
Family Dollar
Family Dollar is a regional chain of variety stores in the United States. It opened in 1959 and operates approximately 6,617 stores in 44 states and the District of Columbia. It is headquartered in Matthews, North Carolina....
store and various restaurants. A new public library, completed in the summer of 2010, recalls the railroad heritage of the town.
Education facilities
The town is a shadow of its former self in terms of education facilities. Today the town has one public school, Lebanon Junction Elementary School, offering grades K-5 only. The designated middle school (grades 6-8) is Bernheim Middle School located just off Route 245 at exit 112 on I-65. The designated high school is Bullitt Central High School located in Shepherdsville, Kentucky just east of exit 117 off I-65. The town also has a public library which is part of the Bullitt County Public Library system.Grocery
Aside from gas stations the only grocery option within the city limits is a Family Dollar Store. For a complete grocery store residents must travel 11 miles south to ElizabethtownElizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown is a city in and the county seat of Hardin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 28,531 at the 2010 census, making it the eleventh-largest city in the state...
.
Dining
Despite its size the town is home to some decent eateries, which include Daddio's pizza parlor, Subway, and McDonald's.Recreation
The town is home to a 9-hole golf course (Knob View Golf Course) that operates most of the year (winter excluded). Hunting & fishing are big diversions on the many tracts of private property, some of which have large ponds. There is also a public pay lake and the Rolling Fork of the Salt River. Canoeing on this tributary of the Salt River (Kentucky)Salt River (Kentucky)
The Salt River is a river in Kentucky that drains . It begins near Danville, Kentucky, rising from the north slope of Persimmon Knob south of KY 300 between Alum Springs and Wilsonville, and ends at the Ohio River near West Point...
is also possible. There is a country western dinner show, The Junction Jamboree, which features live entertainment and food. The town has one park and swimming pool. Additionally, the annual Old Fashion Days festival usually draws large crowds.
Sources
- Masden, Steve, and Burlyn Pike. Railroad Town: A Pictorial History of Lebanon Junction. Lebanon Junction: The Peoples Bank of Bullitt County: Lebanon Junction Branch, 1991.
External links
- "Ebb and Flow of Its Fortunes Have Been Linked to a Turn of the Tracks, the Tide of a River" — Article by Bobbie Harville of The Courier-JournalThe Courier-JournalThe Courier-Journal, locally called "The C-J", is the main newspaper for the city of Louisville, Kentucky, USA. According to the 1999 Editor & Publisher International Yearbook, the paper is the 48th largest daily paper in the United States and the single largest in Kentucky.- Origins :The...
- Lebanon Junction & St. Benedict High School Alumni
- Article on the History of Lebanon Junction in the local news paper - The Pioneer News
- Rolling Fork River Hydrologic Gauge Near Lebanon Junction