Ravenna, Kentucky
| Ravenna, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 37°41′9″N 83°57′5″W / 37.68583°N 83.95139°WCoordinates: 37°41′9″N 83°57′5″W / 37.68583°N 83.95139°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Estill |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2) |
| • Land | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 636 ft (194 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 693 |
| • Density | 1,873.0/sq mi (723.2/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 40472 |
| Area code(s) | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-64092 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0514849 |
Ravenna is a city in Estill County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 693 at the 2000 census.
In 2008, Ravenna conducted the first Ravenna Railroad Festival, its first festival in 50 years.
Geography
Ravenna is located at 37°41′9″N 83°57′5″W / 37.68583°N 83.95139°W (37.685772, -83.951399)[1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2), all of it land.
History
Before it was incorporated, Ravenna was known only as The Village.
The Louisville & Nashville Railroad 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. 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 its 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 an 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 police department.
Ravenna is also the home of the local VFW (Post #8019); a National Guard Armory that is home to C CO, 1-149th IN(M), 149th BDE; and the Estill County Veterans Memorial in Ravenna's Veterans Memorial Park.
The City of Ravenna hosted the Ravenna Railroad Festival in August 2008, to showcase the history of the railroad, and included tours of the historic Fitchburg & Cottage Furnaces. The Ravenna Railroad Festival coincided with the Estill County Bicentennial, a yearlong celebration of the county's 200th birthday.
Independent film maker Russell Parks, known as "HillJack", shot his directorial debut, Nightmare Fuel, in October of 2008 at the site of the Ravenna Elementary School, which he attended.
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 San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. The mosiac is of the court of Emperor Justinian with Archbishop Maximian and court officials and Praetorian guards. The tile is still on display at Ravenna City Hall.
Ravenna, along with the nearby City of Irvine, are known as the "Twin Cities".
Demographics
As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 693 people, 301 households, and 207 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,873.0 people per square mile (723.2/km²). There were 323 housing units at an average density of 873.0 per square mile (337.1/km²). 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 citywas $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.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ravenna has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[3]
Noted natives
- Kevin Richardson - Member of the Backstreet Boys, attended and graduated Ravenna Elementary School.
- HillJack Russell Parks - Writer, Director & Film Maker attended and graduated Ravenna Elementary School.
See also
- Other places named Ravenna
References
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ Climate Summary for Ravenna, Kentucky
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