Midway, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Midway is a city in Woodford County
, Kentucky
, United States
. Its population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. It is located midway between Frankfort
and Lexington
along the single-track railroad between them. It is part of the Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The town is home to a major thoroughbred
race horse breeding operation, Three Chimneys Farm
. In 2003, faced with a declining downtown, a major streetscape renovation project began as part of Main Street Kentucky. New period structures and lighting brought new life to the town.
What is now the town of Midway, was once a farm belonging to John Francisco "consisting of two hundred and sixteen acres, one rood and twenty poles of land". It was sold to the Lexington and Ohio Railroad Company on 31 January 1835 for $6,491.25. It became Kentucky's first railroad town. Midway was purposely located an equal distance between the cities of Lexington
and Frankfort
, along the railroad. The town is also equidistant between Versailles
and Georgetown
. The major streets of Midway were named in honor of the railroads first officials. Midway shows up as Leesburg on two 1850s era Kentucky maps
Many homes and businesses in Midway are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
.
and Jesse James
was born in the Black Horse Inn at the intersection of US62 and Old Frankfort Pike. She lived there with her father who ran the tavern.
Weisenberger Mill has been in the Weisenberger family for six generations. It is the oldest continuously operating mill in Kentucky and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Defunct Schools
region of Kentucky, an area with farms that produce tobacco, corn, cattle, and horses.
Midway is located at 38°9′2"N 84°40′59"W (38.150484, -84.683014).
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all land.
of 2000, there were 1,620 people, 623 households, and 409 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1484.3 /sqmi. There were 672 housing units at an average density of 615.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.81% White, 7.72% African American, 0.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races
, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.
There were 623 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.
21.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 75.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $50,909, and the median income for a family was $60,326. Males had a median income of $35,795 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $24,528. About 2.0% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.
Woodford County, Kentucky
Woodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Its population was 1,620 at the 2000 census. It is located midway between Frankfort
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
and Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
along the single-track railroad between them. It is part of the Lexington-Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area
Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area
The Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area is the 106th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. It was originally formed by the United States Census Bureau in 1950 and consisted solely of Fayette County until 1980 when surrounding counties saw increases in their...
. The town is home to a major thoroughbred
Thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a horse breed best known for its use in horse racing. Although the word thoroughbred is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thoroughbred breed...
race horse breeding operation, Three Chimneys Farm
Three Chimneys Farm
Three Chimneys Farm is an American thoroughbred race horse breeding farm in Midway, Kentucky established in 1972 by Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Clay. Widely known as one of the world's preeminent horse farms, Three Chimneys has been home to a number of famous horses including U.S. Triple Crown champion...
. In 2003, faced with a declining downtown, a major streetscape renovation project began as part of Main Street Kentucky. New period structures and lighting brought new life to the town.
History
The area around Midway was inhabited by Indian Mound Builders. Two large Indian mounds have been identified on nearby farms, as well as several smaller mounds.What is now the town of Midway, was once a farm belonging to John Francisco "consisting of two hundred and sixteen acres, one rood and twenty poles of land". It was sold to the Lexington and Ohio Railroad Company on 31 January 1835 for $6,491.25. It became Kentucky's first railroad town. Midway was purposely located an equal distance between the cities of Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
and Frankfort
Frankfort, Kentucky
Frankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
, along the railroad. The town is also equidistant between Versailles
Versailles, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,511 people, 3,160 households, and 2,110 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,330 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 88.18% White, 8.67% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.35%...
and Georgetown
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
. The major streets of Midway were named in honor of the railroads first officials. Midway shows up as Leesburg on two 1850s era Kentucky maps
Many homes and businesses in Midway are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
Trivia
Zeralda James, mother of FrankFrank James
Alexander Franklin "Frank" James was a famous American outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James.-Childhood:...
and Jesse James
Jesse James
Jesse Woodson James was an American outlaw, gang leader, bank robber, train robber, and murderer from the state of Missouri and the most famous member of the James-Younger Gang. He also faked his own death and was known as J.M James. Already a celebrity when he was alive, he became a legendary...
was born in the Black Horse Inn at the intersection of US62 and Old Frankfort Pike. She lived there with her father who ran the tavern.
Weisenberger Mill has been in the Weisenberger family for six generations. It is the oldest continuously operating mill in Kentucky and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Annual events
- Francisco's Farm Arts Festival (June 25 & 26, 2011) The focus of the event is the outdoor exhibition of juried fine art and fine craft, giving the opportunity to meet and purchase art from the creators themselves. Located at the beautiful campus of Equus Run Vineyards (1280 Moores Mill Road, Midway, KY), this event promises to be a destination of artists and buyers for years to come.
- Midway Fall Festival (September 17 & 18, 2011) Nestled in the heart of Kentucky's bluegrass region, the Midway Fall Festival has been named one of Kentucky's top twenty festivals. The festival features crafts, food, demonstrators, entertainment and children's activities.
- Midway Independence Day Celebration (July 3, 2009)
Entertainment
- Thoroughbred Theater is 150-seat theater that is a venue for local talent and visiting artists. The facility is also available for public and private use for presentations, benefits, meetings, gatherings, birthday parties, and memorials. The Theater closed in 2011.
Education
Current Schools- Northside Elementary serves Kindergarten-5th Grade (Founded 1992)
- Midway CollegeMidway CollegeMidway College is an independent, liberal arts college with approximately 1,800 students located in Midway, Kentucky. Related by covenant to the Christian Church , it currently offers two and four-year degrees. Midway is the only women's college in Kentucky...
is Kentucky's only college for women. (Founded 1847)
Defunct Schools
- Midway Elementary (Closed 1992, Succeeded by Northside Elementary)
- Midway High School (Closed 1964, Succeeded by Woodford County High SchoolWoodford County High School (Kentucky)Woodford County High School is a public high school located in Versailles, Kentucky. It serves grades 9-12 and since the 1970s has been the only public high school in Woodford County.-History:...
)
List of Churches
- Forks of Elkorn Baptist Church
- Midway United Methodist Church
- Midway Christian Church
- Midway Presbyterian Church
- Midway Baptist Church
- New Life Assembly of God Church
- Pilgrim Baptist Church
- Second Christian Church
- St. Matthew A.M.E. Church
- Zion Hill Baptist Church
- Midway Nazerane
Geography
Midway is located in the northern section of Woodford county in the BluegrassBluegrass region
The Bluegrass Region is a geographic region in the state of Kentucky, United States. It occupies the northern part of the state and since European settlement has contained a majority of the state's population and its largest cities....
region of Kentucky, an area with farms that produce tobacco, corn, cattle, and horses.
Midway is located at 38°9′2"N 84°40′59"W (38.150484, -84.683014).
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.1 square miles (2.8 km²), all land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,620 people, 623 households, and 409 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1484.3 /sqmi. There were 672 housing units at an average density of 615.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 89.81% White, 7.72% African American, 0.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.93% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.
There were 623 households out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.
21.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 75.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 73.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $50,909, and the median income for a family was $60,326. Males had a median income of $35,795 versus $32,500 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $24,528. About 2.0% of families and 3.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 0.6% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.