Ravenna, Kentucky

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Ravenna is a city in Estill County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 693 at the 2000 census.

1 Geography
2 History
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] Geography

Ravenna is located at 37°41′9″N, 83°57′5″W (37.685772, -83.951399)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.0 km² (0.4 mi²), all land.

[edit] History

Ravenna, A True Railroad Town

Before it was incorporated, Ravenna was known only as "The Village".

The Louisville & Nashville Railroad Company (L & N) was responsible for the name of RAVENNA, the building of the SHOPS, YARD, OFFICE BUILDING, PASSENGER & FREIGHT STATION, and many other things that were built for the establishment of a railroad terminal in Estill County just east of the county seat Irvine, Kentucky. After the completion of the terminal in 1915, the county decided it would call it Ravenna which stems from the word "Ravine" but it was reported by early railroad officials that an Italian foreman and interpreter with a construction crew of approximately 60 Italian men building the railroad yards, requested that the railroad officials name the station in honor of his birthplace, Ravenna, Italy and it was so granted by the railroad officials in charge of such matter.

A thriving village sprang up in 1915, when the railroad started construction of it's shops; and five years later in the 1920, Ravenna was incorporated into a 6th Class City by the Estill County Circuit Court.

In 1924 Ravenna was declared a 5th Class City by and act of the Kentucky State Legislature due to an increase in population. This also entitled them to have a Mayor, six councilmen and city clerk, as it still stands today, complete with modern fire department and poilce department.

Ravenna is also the home of the local VFW Post# 8019 and the original & current National Guard Armory, Mountain Warriors Division, and Estill County War Memorial in the Ravenna Choo-Choo Park.

About the Ravenna Tile

A design on a glazed tile was sent to the City of Ravenna, KY from the City of Ravenna, Italy as a token of sympathy of the tornado disaster of June 9, 1961. The Placard was sent to the City from the Mayor of Ravenna, Italy and was a copy of one of the famous mosaic panels in the Church of Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. Christ is shown as a young beardless man clothed in purple robe and tunic embroidered with gold, flanked by two Archangels, clothed in white robes representing the sacred bodyguard. Christ holds the seven seals in his left hand and with his right, offers the crown of martyrdom. The tile is still on display at Ravenna City Hall.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 693 people, 301 households, and 207 families residing in the city. The population density was 723.2/km² (1,873.0/mi²). There were 323 housing units at an average density of 337.1/km² (873.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.55% White, 0.58% African American, 0.72% Native American, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.43% of the population.

There were 301 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.80.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 28.0% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 84.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,583, and the median income for a family was $33,438. Males had a median income of $25,833 versus $17,813 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,089. About 16.0% of families and 17.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.