| Lewisport, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Location of Lewisport, Kentucky | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Hancock |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2) |
| • Land | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 397 ft (121 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,670 |
| • Density | 1,540.8/sq mi (594.9/km2) |
| Time zone | Central (CST) (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP code | 42351 |
| Area code(s) | 270 |
| FIPS code | 21-45136 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0496341 |
Lewisport was formerly called "Little Yellow Banks," and was renamed Lewisport in 1839 in honor of John Lewis, one of the first permanent settlers of the area. He was an early surveyor of land between the Salt and Green Rivers. The original town plat was drafted by James and John Prentis in 1837. The town was incorporated in 1844. Logging and building of flatboats were the first chief industries there.[1] The population was 1670 at the 2010 census. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Lewisport is a very small town in Hancock County, Kentucky, nestled along the Ohio River. "The Ohio River has been an important factor in the growth and development of Lewisport. The river furnished the most important means of transportation and connection to the outside world prior to the railroad. Even today, many local citizens use the river for its recreational value. Through the years of Lewisport's history the town had faced many natural disasters. The river claimed an entire street from town and has spawned several devastating floods. The town also suffered major destruction by fire."
"During the Civil War, many guerrilla bands occupied the town and area. Once such experience happened when Bill Davison captured a federal boat at Lewisport. The passengers were robbed and their merchandise was taken. There were even other instances where guerrilla bands terrorized, fought, and even murdered the residents. Out of fear for their possessions, residents in the area hid their valuables and horses during the war. A living memento of the Civil War times is a large cypress tree in the center of town."
"Throughout its history, Lewisport has been the home of many businesses and social organizations, which no longer exist today. Lewisport's only bank was forced out of business by the Great Depression. Other businesses of the past included the Lewisport Flour Mill and Tom's Ice Cream, both of which were owned and operated by local citizens. The local Masonic Lodge fraternal organizations thrived until the 1980's. Other such organizations have long since disbanded. The Lewisport School System consolidated in 1938, when it consisted of eight local one-room schools. Today, Lewisport is part of the Hancock County Consolidated School System." [2]
Abraham Lincoln won his first law case in the "Pate House" in Lewisport, which at the time was the site of the circuit court. The house is now a county landmark and is open for tours throughout the year. "In the spring of 1827, Abraham Lincoln was tried for operating a ferry across the Ohio River without a license. The case - "The Commonwealth of Kentucky vs. Abraham Lincoln" - was tried in the east room of the log house before Squire Pate, the presiding Justice of the Peace for the County. After a short trial, the warrant against the young Lincoln was dismissed as the future president won his first law case." [3]
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Lewisport is located at (37.935023, -86.905270)[4].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km2), all of it land.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 1,639 people, 648 households, and 452 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,540.8 people per square mile (597.0/km²). There were 748 housing units at an average density of 703.2 per square mile (272.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.40% White, 1.89% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.24% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.65% of the population.
There were 648 households out of which 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.8% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,774, and the median income for a family was $42,321. Males had a median income of $39,318 versus $21,705 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,413. About 15.6% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 16.6% of those age 65 or over.
Elephants live down by the river.
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