5 of the Oldest Incorporated Towns in Kentucky

From river ports to frontier settlements, Kentucky's oldest incorporated towns tell the story of a state shaped by exploration, trade, and resilience. Long before highways and modern cities, these communities were already establishing governments, building courthouses, and serving as hubs of commerce and culture. Today, their tree-lined streets, historic architecture, and enduring traditions offer a tangible link to Kentucky's early days. Each of these towns has helped to lay the foundation for Kentucky's rich, lasting heritage.

Harrodsburg

Established by pioneer settler James Harrod in 1774 and originally called Harrodstown, Harrodsburg is the oldest town in Kentucky and the first permanent settlement in the state. Now, it is the county seat of Mercer County, in the heart of Kentucky Bluegrass Country. Harrodsburg is just an hour from Lexington and is filled with historic attractions, culture, and natural beauty.

Old Fort Harrod State Park combines living history with outdoor beauty and includes a replica of Harrod's fort from 1774, as well as cabins and blockhouses. Also found within the park is the Big Ole Tree, the largest Osage Orange tree in the US. Each August, the park hosts the free Pioneer Days Festival, celebrating the community's history and heritage. The Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill was home to the third-largest Shaker community in the country between 1805 and 1910. Visitors to Shaker Village can see firsthand how this group lived. A restaurant, shop, and lodging areas are also within the village, as are trails running through the native prairies and wildlife of its 3,000 acres.

Bardstown

Formally established in 1788 by settlers David and William Bard, Bardstown, one of Kentucky's oldest towns, was incorporated by the Kentucky State Assembly in 1838. Bardstown lies in Nelson County, just 40 miles southeast of Louisville and 59 miles west of Lexington. Bardstown has been called the "Bourbon Capital of the World," and it is in the heart of Bourbon country, with many distilleries in the area. Rand McNally and USA Today called Bardstown "America's Most Beautiful Small Town" in 2012.

My Old Kentucky Home State Park in Bardstown consists of a historic mansion, golf course, tennis courts, opportunities for birding and hiking, and, in the summer months, an outdoor theatre presenting "The Stephen Foster Story," a story of the man who wrote the famous song, "My Old Kentucky Home." More than 300 structures in Bardstown are on the National Register of Historic Places, including Old Talbott Tavern, circa 1799. You can still drink, eat, and even stay here, at an inn which has hosted guests such as Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James. The Oscar Getz Museum of Bourbon History is a great place to learn about one of the pioneers of the bourbon industry. Distillery tours and tastings are widespread throughout Bardstown. Try Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience, which offers a tour of the distillery, tastings, food, drink, shopping, and a theater showing a film about the distillery's history.

Danville

Officially established in 1787, the town of Danville is called the "Birthplace of Kentucky." It hosted 10 constitutional conventions, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky was born there in 1792 when the state's first constitution was signed. Today, Danville is the county seat of Boyle County. Danville is a town of firsts, including the first courthouse in Kentucky, the first US Post Office west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the first college and first law school in the West.

Constitution Square Historic Site in Danville is an open-air museum that is free to visit. It contains cabins, a gift shop, and a visitor's center. The McDowell House museum, apothecary, and gardens are across the street from Constitution Square. This historic surgeon's home from the 1800s can be toured. Millennium Park in Danville features 3 1/2 miles of trails for walking, running, and biking. One unique attraction that should not be missed is the Great American Dollhouse Museum in Danville, open from March through the end of December. This 6,000 square foot building features more than 200 detailed and populated dollhouses and miniature buildings with exhibits focused on American history.

Paris

Lawrence Protzman, a settler originally from Hopewell, New Jersey, owned lots near Doyle Spring in Kentucky in the late 1780s. These lots were established as the town of Hopewell in 1789. Hopewell was renamed Paris in 1790 in honor of French assistance during the Revolutionary War. Paris is now the county seat of Bourbon County and is famous for its thoroughbred horse farms, historic downtown area, and bourbon history.

Paris even has its own Eiffel Tower replica, standing 25 feet tall with horseshoes on its top. This miniature version is built to the scale of the original Eiffel Tower, which opened in 2021, and is lit up at night. Paris was home to the famous Triple Crown-winning horse, Secretariat, and Secretariat Park in town honors his legacy. Opened in 2023, the park contains a life-size bronze Secretariat statue and celebrates the town's thoroughbred history. The public can also visit the offices of the Bourbon County Citizen, the oldest newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains, established in 1807. The newspaper has published an edition every week since then. For some food and drink with your history, check out Trackside at the Depot, located in the building that housed the original Paris Train Depot in 1882. In the modern era, the restaurant serves food, drink, and, of course, bourbon.

Barbourville

Established in 1799 on the Cumberland River, Barbourville is the oldest town in southeastern Kentucky. Named for Virginia senator James Barbour, Barbourville is the county seat of Knox County. In the 19th century, Barbourville was the biggest city south of Richmond, Virginia, and a stop for travelers crossing the Cumberland Gap. Barbourville is filled with history as well as scenic wonders.

The Battle of Barbourville, the first Civil War battle in eastern Kentucky, took place on September 19, 1861. The Civil War Interpretive Park in Barbourville, opened in 2008, honors this battle and other Civil War battles, telling the story of battles and casualties of Confederate and Union troops. The Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Park, five miles from downtown Barbourville, has a replica of the first home built by settlers in Kentucky. The cabin and grounds can be toured for free. Visit the Daniel Boone Statue in town, honoring the pioneer spirit of Kentucky. The Knox County Daniel Boone Festival is one of the state's oldest annual festivals, held each August. For more outdoor recreation, check out Turner Outdoor Center, owned by Union College and open to the public year-round. It includes seven miles of hiking and biking trails.

Kentucky's History Reflects America's History

These five towns are not only among the oldest towns in Kentucky, but they also help to tell the story of the creation of the United States. Visiting these towns can help us to understand more about what early settlers were thinking and feeling when they established these communities. Through Civil War battles, original and replicated homes from the era, and outdoor recreation that honors history, visitors to these five Kentucky towns can compare life from over 200 years ago to the more modern amenities and attractions that these towns have to offer today.