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Barren County, Kentucky

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Location: Barren, Kentucky, United Statesmap
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Welcome to Barren County, Kentucky
This is a joint sub-project page of the United States History Project.
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Contents

Introduction

This page is intended to provide historical context and references that may assist Barren County researchers with their genealogy and family history endeavors. It is still a work in progress: your input and suggestions are welcome. Volunteers are always welcome!
  • The leader of this project is:
  • The coordinator for this county is: Pam D.
Barren County, Kentucky

History/Timeline

Barren County was formed on December 20, 1798, from parts of Warren and Green Counties. It was named for the Barrens, meadowlands that cover the northern third, though actually the soil is fertile.

Government Offices

  • The county was created in 1798. It was a log structure erected on the Courthouse Square in 1799.
  • The second courthouse was built.
  • The third courthouse was a wood structure built by Henry Miller in 1804 to 1806 in Glasgow.
  • The fourth courthouse was designed by S M Bagley and built in 1838 to 1840 and the third courthouse was dismantled.
  • The fifth courthouse was designed by Mason Maury and built by Walter Brashear in 1896.
  • The sixth and present courthouse was constructed in 1965 to 1966.

Geography

Barren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Its county seat is Glasgow

Adjacent counties

Northwest
Edmonson County		 North
Hart County		 Northeast
North arrow
West
Warren County		 West arrow Barren County East arrow East
Metcalfe County
South arrow
Southwest
Allen County		 South
 Southeast
Monroe County

Anderson County Communities

Cities
Census-designated place
Other unincorporated communities
Sites and events of interest
  • Fort Williams, Glasgow.
  • Barren River Lake State Resort Park, Lucas at the junction of US 31E and KY 87 in southern Barren County.
  • Barren River Lake, a lake along the Barren-Allen County line that is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Kentucky Action Park/Jesse James Riding Stables, Cave City, Kentucky
  • Guntown Mountain Old West town and Haunted Hotel, Cave City
  • Diamond Caverns, Park City, along the Edmonson-Barren County line on the southeastern fringe of Mammoth Cave National Park.
  • Onyx Cave and Rock Shop, Cave City
  • Thomerson Park, Dry Fork

Events include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • The 400-mile yard sale along US 68 throughout the route's course in Kentucky (except Metro Lexington and the LBL) - first Thursday-Sunday in June, annually.
  • Glasgow Highland Games at Barren River Lake State Resort Park - early June.
  • Annual Roller Coaster Yard Sale along State Highway 63 - early October.
  • Annual Fireworks Extravaganza at Barren River Lake, July 4 of each year.

Notable People

Demographics

Census Year Resident Population Increase or Decrease in Population
1800 4,784 —
1810 11,286 135.9%
1820 10,328 −8.5%
1830 15,079 46.0%
1840 17,288 14.6%
1850 20,240 17.1%
1860 16,665 −17.7%
1870 17,780 6.7%
1880 22,321 25.5%
1890 21,490 −3.7%
1900 23,197 7.9%
1910 25,293 9.0%
1920 25,356 0.2%
1930 25,844 1.9%
1940 27,559 6.6%
1950 28,461 3.3%
1960 28,303 −0.6%
1970 28,677 1.3%
1980 34,009 18.6%
1990 34,001 0.0%
2000 38,033 11.9%
2010 42,173 10.9%
2020 44,485 5.5%
2021 (est.) 44,544 0.1%

Slavery in Barren County

1850 Slave Schedule
  • 944 slave owners
  • 3,921 Black slaves
  • 628 Mulatto slaves
  • 63 free Blacks
  • 1 free Colored [Turnedo Bass born in Mexico]
  • 49 free Mulattoes
1860 Slave Schedule
  • 729 slave owners
  • 3,649 Black slaves
  • 421 Mulatto slaves
  • 37 free Blacks
  • 10 free Mulattoes

Slavery ended on December 18, 1865.

1870 U.S. Federal Census
  • 3,152 Blacks
  • 375 Mulattoes
  • About 68 U.S. Colored Troops listed Barren County, KY, as their birth location.

Major Highways

  • Interstate 65 is a major North-South Interstate Highway in the central United States and is located in the northwestern part of the county. This interstate section connects the Gulf of Mexico to the Great Lakes.
  • Barren County is also connected to Interstate 75 via the Louie B. Nunn Cumberland Parkway, which runs east to west, providing access to the east coast from the US/Canadian boarder all the way to Miami, Florida.
  • U.S. Route 31E
  • U.S. Route 31W
  • U.S. Route 68

Cemetery Resources

Barren County Resources

Original County Documents

Original records from 1799 through the present can be obtained at the Barren County Government Center

Birth Records

Census Records

Marriages

Death Records

Wills

Military Records

Recent Obituaries

Other Barren County Resources

KY Statewide Online

Sources





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Map of Kentucky highlighting Barren County
Map of Kentucky highlighting Barren County
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