Preserve America Community:
Liberty, Kentucky
Liberty (population 1,850) was established in 1806 and became the seat of Casey County two years later. Revolutionary War veterans who received land grants for their military service selected the town name out of patriotic sentiment. Liberty was incorporated in 1830 with a population of 250.
The City of Liberty has a Main Street/Renaissance Kentucky program working to restore and promote the historic downtown area. To date the economic impact of the preservation process has been significant, creating a number of new jobs.
Three new businesses have opened in buildings that have been restored to active use. Eight façade projects and six interior rehabilitations have been completed, employing 23 contractors. More visitors are shopping downtown, increasing local revenue.
One ongoing project, in cooperation with the Fiscal Court, is the restoration of the Casey County Courthouse, a downtown centerpiece listed in the National Register of Historic Places. An elaborate Victorian structure, the stone and brick courthouse, Liberty's third, was completed in 1889.
Liberty also hosts a number of annual events that promote local heritage, including an Apple Festival featuring the world's largest apple pie. Casey County is known for apples and produces a significant part of Kentucky's apple crop.
The area is home to many Mennonite and Amish families and businesses producing handmade furniture, homegrown produce, exquisite handmade quilts.
A 160-acre Southern Kentucky AG/EXPO Center in Liberty is being developed to promote agriculture-related heritage tourism. Driving trail maps have been developed for the Amish/Mennonite area and motor coach tours are being planned. The area is part of the Kentucky Heritage Landmarks Corridor.
For more information
Kentucky Heritage Landmarks Corridor: www.tourseky.com/corridor.lasso?id=2
Posted November 22, 2004