Franklin County is home to the Kentucky State capital, Frankfort. Frankfort lies in the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass country. Encompassed by rolling pastures where thoroughbred horses run and canopies of forest bring beauty in every season. The State Capitol rises above the city and overlooks the Kentucky River as it ambles to the north making a unique S shape through the historic downtown. The capital city offers things to do for all ages, interests, and abilities, and Frankfort is a treasure trove of culinary experiences to satisfy any palette.
Frankfort embodies the essence of everything that makes Kentucky special from her natural charm and beauty to her world-renowned bourbon, all in one distinctly small and spirited package.
Truth is, you can’t really tell Frankfort’s story without telling Kentucky’s story. They are inextricably entwined. Frankfort is the best of Kentucky, the heart of Kentucky, the soul of Kentucky. Frankfort is capital halls and bourbon balls, rolling hills and rushing rivers, southern hospitality and global connections. Frankfort is big decisions and small town charm, calloused hands and cutting-edge technology, historic buildings and civic sophistication. Education in Franklin County is a deal with 18 public schools serving 7,247 students and 6 private schools serving 849 students. Franklin County is also home to Kentucky State University, or "KSU", which is located on East Main Street.
Kentucky's historically black university, KSU was founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons. The campus was integrated beginning in the 1950s and received university designation in 1972. KSU today has approximately 2,000 students, including both undergraduates and graduate students. Frankfort is about beauty, big ideas and bourbon. Frankfort is Kentucky Distilled.
