Preserve America Community:
Cynthiana, Kentucky
Cynthiana (population 6,258) was chartered as the county seat of Harrison County in 1793, built on the land of early settler Robert Harrison, and named for his daughters Cynthia and Anna.
Several outstanding examples of Federal-style architecture have survived from the community's earliest years, and there are an exceptional number of mid-19th century buildings with cast iron storefronts. Cynthiana has the second-largest collection of such extant storefronts in Kentucky.
Two Civil War battles were fought at Cynthiana. The city chamber of commerce has developed a driving tour of these sites, and battle re-enactments have been held for the past several years.
Other annual community events include Museum Grist Mill Day at
the Cythiana-Harrison County Museum and Raggedy Ann Day, which
recognizes Cynthiana's association with the family of the famous
doll's creator, Johnny Gruelle. The city's historic downtown is
listed as a historic district in the National Register of Historic
Places.
For further information
City of Cynthiana: www.cynthianaky.com/
Cynthiana Renaissance: www.cynthianaky.com/cityhall/RenaissanceKY.htm
Updated November 23, 2004