River Mile: 408

Population: 8,873

U.S. Census Profile

Founded by frontiersmen Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone where Limestone Creek meets the Ohio River, Maysville—known well into the 19th century as Limestone—served as a harbor for river commerce and settlers moving into the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. A buffalo trace used for centuries as a natural trail by indigenous people formed the foundation for a road connecting Maysville south to Lexington.

In the first decade of the 19th century Maysville was one of the state’s two principal ports, alongside Louisville. Tobacco, whiskey and hemp were major commodities that made their way through Maysville. The advent of steamboat traffic boosted trade and population growth further. Enslaved people seeking freedom often made their way to Maysville for the crossing to Ohio. Several famous Kentuckians, including singer Rosemary Clooney and her brother Nick Clooney—father of George—as well as Miss America 2000 Heather French Henry and basketball star Darius Miller all hailed from Maysville.