Breckinridge County, Kentucky

Breckinridge County Education, Geography, and History

Breckinridge County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Based on the 2010 census, the population was 20,059. Breckinridge county was created in 1799.  The county seat is Hardinsburg, Kentucky. The county is named for John Breckinridge (1760-1806), an Kentucky Attorney General, state legislator, United States Senator, and United States Attorney General.

Etymology - Origin of Breckinridge County Name

The county is named for John Breckinridge (1760-1806), Kentucky Attorney General, legislator, United States Senator, United States Attorney General.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Breckinridge County History

In August 1779, Sinclair Hardin (first cousin of Captain William Hardin, the founder of Hardin's Fort), was killed by Shawnee Indians while taking at drink at Big Springs. He was the first white settler in Breckinridge County to be killed by Native Americans. The Indian threat remained for the settlers for some years after that. However, the only sizable expedition against the Native Americans that Breckenridge County settlers took part in culminated in the Battle of Saline Creek in August 1786. Fought in Illinois, the battle lasted only about four minutes, but was fiercely fought in hand-to-hand combat. Between 18 and 30 Shawnee warriors were killed, with six more wounded. The remainder of the Shawnee fled. Captain William Hardin had commanded the white volunteers, many of whom also were killed or wounded. Hardin's victorious militia took home 16 Shawnee scalps, nine captured horses, 17 muskets, and "a mighty nice sword"

Breckinridge county was formed in 1800. It is located in the Pennyrile region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 383 to 920 feet above sea level. In 2000 the county population was 18,648 in a land area of 572.41 square miles, an average of 32.6 people per square mile. The county seat is Hardinsburg.

Breckinridge County is a wet county following a local option election on January 29, 2013 but was a prohibition or dry county for the prior 105 years.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 586 square miles (1,520 km²), of which 567 square miles (1,470 km²) is land and 18 square miles (47 km²) (3.2%) is water.

Breckinridge county is located close to the center of Kentucky and is situated along the scenic Ohio River. The Rough River Dam State Park is near the dam creating a 4,860-acre lake in this county.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• Northeast: Meade County
• East: Hardin County
• South: Grayson County
• Southwest: Ohio County
• Northwest: Hancock County; Perry County, Ind.
  

Education

Breckinridge County has three school systems:

Breckinridge County Public Schools
Cloverport Independent Schools
Saint Romuald Interparochial School

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