Garrard County

Garrard County was established on December 17, 1796 becoming the 25th county of Kentucky. Parts of Lincoln, Madison, and Mercer Counties formed the county.

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County Name

Garrard County is named after James Garrard, the 2nd Governor of Kentucky.

County Facts

County Seat: Lancaster

Borders: Boyle, Mercer, Jessamine, Madison, Rockcastle, and Lincoln

Incorporated Towns: Lancaster

Places of Interest: Lancaster Theater, Governor Owsley’s house

People from Garrard County: Governor William Bradley, George Robertson, Thomas Kennedy, and more to come.

Events throughout Garrard County History: Coming Soon

A Brief History of Garrard County

The first settler of Garrard County was a man named William Miller. In 1776 he settled and built a station near Paint Link. In the following years more stations were established. In 1779, James Smith’s Station was built near Bryantsville, James and John Downing’s Station on Sugar Creek. Humbry Best’s Canebreak Station was built on Upper Paint Lick Creek in 1779-1780. Zophar Carpenter’s Station was near Suck Fork Creek. William Grant built a station on Hickman Creek in 1784.

The Hill-Evans feud was in 1840 when one man ended up going to Mexico.

Many Union troops came to Camp Dick Robinson during the Civil War.

In 1868 the L & N Railroad came through Lancaster.

County History - Podcast Episodes

Garrard County Part 1

Garrard County native, Daniel Hopkins, sets down with us and discusses the history of his home county.

Oral Histories from Garrard County

Oral Histories from Garrard County are coming soon. If you or someone you know are interested in being featured in our oral histories series please visit our contact page by clicking here.