The Great American Survey: A Slapdash Database of Historic Buildings

Founding:  1799 Parent counties:  Green and Lincoln Namesake:  Casimir Pulaski, Continental Army general Seat:  Somerset (1801–) Land area:  658 square miles Population (2020):  65,034 Population (historic):  3,161 (1800); 9,500 (1830); 17,670 (1870); 31,293 (1900); 35,640 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1800–1910; 1920–1940; 1960–2020 Subdivisions:  Five cities Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  1,781 (5.7%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  27.4% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  9.1% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  22.6% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  18.7% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $303 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $169 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.4 rooms Number of farms (1920):  5,015 Average farm size (1920):  40 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Somerset Names...

Founding:  1799 Parent county:  Christian Namesake:  Richard Henderson, land speculator Seat:  Henderson (1799–) Land area:  437 square miles Population (2020):  44,793 Population (historic):  1,468 (1800); 6,659 (1830); 18,457 (1870); 32,907 (1900); 26,295 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1800–1900; 1930–2010 Subdivisions:  Three cities; three CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  2,416 (11.8%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  34.7% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  26.3% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  14.7% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  19.2% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $749 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $541 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.3 rooms Number of farms (1920):  2,949 Average farm size (1920):  68.3 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Henderson Namesake: ...

Founding:  1825 (declared in 1821) Parent county:  Livingston Namesake:  Virgil McCracken, Kentucky soldier Seat:   Wilmington (1827–1832); Paducah (1832–) Land area:  249 square miles Population (2020):  67,875 Population (historic):  1,297 (1830); 10,360 (1860); 16,262 (1880); 28,733 (1900); 46,271 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1830–2020 Subdivisions:  One city; four CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  2,837 (8.9%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  25.8% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  9.6% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  8.8% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  17.6% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $857 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $502 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.3 rooms Number of farms (1920):  2,128 Average farm size (1920):  47.6 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Pa...

Founding:  1842 Parent counties:  Hickman and McCracken Namesake:  Bland Ballard, Kentucky politician Seat:  Blandville (1842–1882); Wickliffe (1882–) Land area:  247 square miles Population (2020):  7,728 Population (historic):  5,496 (1850); 12,576 (1870); 8,390 (1890); 12,690 (1910); 9,910 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1850–1910; 1970s; 1990s Subdivisions:  Five cities; two CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  250 (6.4%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  16.1% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  5.1% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  14.6% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  15.7% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $505 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $356 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.4 rooms Number of farms (1920):  1,979 Average farm size (1920):  55.1 acres ________________________________________________________________________________...

Founding:  1824 Parent county:  Hickman Namesake:  Benjamin Graves, Michigan supreme court justice Seat:  Mayfield (1824–) Land area:  552 square miles Population (2020):  36,649 Population (historic):  2,504 (1830); 16,233 (1860); 24,138 (1880); 33,204 (1900); 30,778 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1830–1910; 1930s; 1960–1980; 1990–2010 Subdivisions:  Three cities; seven CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  1,161 (6.9%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  22.6% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  2.4% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  19.8% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  12.4% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $437 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $260 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4 rooms Number of farms (1920):  6,082 Average farm size (1920):  42.7 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Ma...

Founding:  1815 Parent county:  Ohio Namesake:  Joseph Daveiss, Indiana militiaman Seat:  Owensboro (1816–) Land area:  458 square miles Population (2020):  103,312 Population (historic):  3,876 (1820); 12,362 (1850); 20,714 (1870); 38,667 (1900); 43,779 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1820–1910; 1920–2020 Subdivisions:  Two cities; three CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  2,912 (6.8%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  28.2% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  13.4% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  16% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  14.1% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $726 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $604 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.6 rooms Number of farms (1920):  3,808 Average farm size (1920):  53 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Owensboro Namesake:  Abraham ...

Founding:  1842 Parent county:  Calloway Namesake:  John Marshall, Supreme Court chief justice Seat:  Benton (1842–) Land area:  301 square miles Population (2020):  31,659 Population (historic):  5,269 (1850); 9,455 (1870); 11,287 (1890); 15,771 (1910); 12,889 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1850–1910; 1930s; 1950–2020 Subdivisions:  Three cities; one CDP Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  526 (3.3%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  17.4% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  2.3% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 12.9% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 10% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $398 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $203 Average farmhouse size (1940):  3.7 rooms Number of farms (1920):  3,353 Average farm size (1920):  39 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Benton Namesake:  Thomas Benton...

Founding:  1822 Parent county:  Hickman Namesake:  Richard Calloway, Kentucky settler Seat:   Wadesboro (1822–1842); Murray (1842–) Land area:  385 square miles Population (2020):  37,103 Population (historic):  5,164 (1830); 9,915 (1860); 13,295 (1880); 17,633 (1900); 17,662 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1830–1840; 1850s; 1870–1920; 1930–2010 Subdivisions:  Two cities; one CDP Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  970 (5.2%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  22.6% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  2.4% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 14.3% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 12.7% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $453 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $247 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.1 rooms Number of farms (1920):  4,293 Average farm size (1920):  38 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Murray Nam...

Founding:  1845 Parent county:  Hickman Namesake:  Robert Fulton, inventor of the steamboat Seat:  Hickman (1845–) Land area:  206 square miles Population (2020):  6,515 Population (historic):  4,446 (1850); 6,161 (1870); 10,005 (1890); 14,114 (1910); 14,927 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1850–1920; 1930s Subdivisions:  Two cities; one CDP Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  354 (10.5%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  18.1% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  3% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  23.8% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  19.5% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $735 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $387 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.3 rooms Number of farms (1920):  1,205 Average farm size (1920):  69.5 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Hickman Namesake:  Uncertain—per...

Founding:  1826 Parent counties:  Clay, Knox, Rockcastle, and Whitley Namesake:  The Laurel River Seat:  London (1826–) Land area:  434 square miles Population (2020):  62,613 Population (historic):  2,206 (1830); 5,488 (1860); 9,131 (1880); 17,592 (1900); 21,109 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1830–1910; 1920–1950; 1960–2020 Subdivisions:  One city; two CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  1,050 (4.1%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  16.9% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  4.9% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 20.1% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 22.2% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $402 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $173 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.3 rooms Number of farms (1920):  2,937 Average farm size (1920):  35.2 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ London Namesake:  Londo...

Founding:  1842 Parent counties:  Harlan and Perry Namesake:  Robert Letcher, Kentucky governor Seat:  Whitesburg (1842–) Land area:  338 square miles Population (2020):  21,548 Population (historic):  2,512 (1850); 4,608 (1870); 6,920 (1890); 10,623 (1910); 35,702 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1850–1940; 1970s Subdivisions:  Four cities; four CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  1,566 (13.4%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  21.5% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  6% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 23% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 20% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $342 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $133 Average farmhouse size (1940):  3.6 rooms Number of farms (1920):  1,601 Average farm size (1920):  31.8 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Whitesburg Namesake:  Daugherty Whit...

Founding:  1822 Parent county:  Floyd Namesake:  Zebulon Pike, American explorer Seat:  Pikeville (1824–) Land area:  787 square miles Population (2020):  58,669 Population (historic):  2,677 (1830); 7,384 (1860); 13,001 (1880); 22,686 (1900); 63,267 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1830–1950; 1970s Subdivisions:  Three cities; five CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  1,683 (5.5%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  15.6% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  3.8% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 24.2% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 20.3% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $473 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $168 Average farmhouse size (1940):  3.9 rooms Number of farms (1920):  4,471 Average farm size (1920):  29.8 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Pikeville Namesake:  Zebulon Pike, American e...

Founding:  1807 Parent county:  Henderson Namesake:  Samuel Hopkins, Kentucky politician Seat:  Madisonville (1808–) Land area:  542 square miles Population (2020):  45,423 Population (historic):  2,964 (1810); 9,171 (1840); 13,827 (1870); 30,995 (1900); 37,449 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1810–1850; 1860–1910; 1920–1950; 1970s Subdivisions:  Nine cities; one CDP Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  2,507 (11.7%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  26% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  8.7% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 16.3% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 16.1% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $600 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $327 Average farmhouse size (1940):  3.9 rooms Number of farms (1920):  3,473 Average farm size (1920):  55.3 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Madisonville Namesake...

Founding:  1821 Parent counties:  Caldwell and Livingston Namesake:  Paschal Hickman, Kentucky soldier Seat:   Columbus (1821–1830); Clinton (1830–) Land area:  242 square miles Population (2020):  4,521 Population (historic):  5,198 (1830); 7,008 (1860); 10,651 (1880); 11,745 (1900); 8,725 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1830–1840; 1850–1900; 1930s Subdivisions:  Two cities Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  281 (11.9%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  17.4% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  2% Farm housing in disrepair (1950):  27.2% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950):  29.8% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $523 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $376 Average farmhouse size (1940):  4.4 rooms Number of farms (1920):  1,649 Average farm size (1920):  69.3 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Clint...

Founding:  1800 Parent counties:  Fleming, Mason, and Montgomery Namesake:  James Floyd, Kentucky militia colonel Seat:  Prestonsburg (1800–) Land area:  393 square miles Population (2020):  35,942 Population (historic):  3,485 (1810); 6,302 (1840); 7,877 (1870); 15,552 (1900); 41,942 (1930) Periods of population growth:  pre-1810–1820; 1830s; 1850–1950; 1970s Subdivisions:  Five cities; five CDPs Pre-1940 residences (estimated):  1,576 (8.6%) Pre-1940 housing survival rate:  15.3% Pre-1860 housing survival rate (1940):  3.8% Farm housing in disrepair (1950): 27.8% Nonfarm housing in disrepair (1950): 23.4% Average farmhouse value (1930):  $444 Average outbuilding value (1930):  $190 Average farmhouse size (1940):  3.9 rooms Number of farms (1920):  3,032 Average farm size (1920):  29 acres _________________________________________________________________________________ Pre...