| Evidence shows the Native Americans | | | | of the main suppliers of hemp, which was |
| lived as well as hunted in Kentucky some | | | | used in making rope and fiber products. |
| 13,000 years ago. However, once the | | | | The other main crop of Kentucky was |
| Europeans arrived, they brought epidemic | | | | corn, which is the main ingredient in |
| diseases with them which harmed the | | | | Bourbon whisky that was developed in |
| Native American population quite a bit. | | | | 1789 by Reverend Elijah Craig. |
| By mid-1700s, just a few Native | | | | When the Civil War started in 1861, |
| Americans lived in Kentucky and these | | | | Kentucky was caught in the middle. |
| were primarily the Cherokee, the Shawnee | | | | Although Kentucky proclaimed itself to |
| and the Mingo. | | | | be neutral, both the Confederates and |
| In the 1750s and 1760s Dr Thomas Walker, | | | | the Union realized its importance and |
| John Finley, Simon Kenton and Daniel | | | | openly recruited men for their armies. |
| Boone praised Kentucky for its natural | | | | In fact, Abraham Lincoln, the Union |
| abundant and game. This attracted many | | | | president, and Jefferson Davis, the |
| settlers to Kentucky. However, it was | | | | Confederate president, were both born in |
| James Harrod who established the first | | | | Kentucky just 100 miles apart. |
| permanent settlement in 1774. Later, | | | | After the Civil War ended, Kentucky's |
| Fort Boonesborough was constructed in | | | | tobacco production increased drastically |
| 1775 and then a plethora of other | | | | because of the development of burley |
| settlements was created. | | | | tobacco. Even today the state is one of |
| On June 1, 1792, Kentucky was admitted | | | | the major producers of burley tobacco. |
| into the Union as the fifteenth state | | | | However, it is transportation equipment |
| but preferred to be known as a | | | | which is the state's mainstay when it |
| Commonwealth. The first governor of | | | | comes to revenue generation. Along with |
| Kentucky was Isaac Shelby and the state | | | | this tourism is the state's third |
| capital was Frankfort. | | | | largest industry given its 49 state |
| The Commonwealth of Kentucky became | | | | parks and hundreds of historical and |
| prosperous with agriculture and tobacco | | | | cultural attractions. |
| was its main cash crop. It was also one | | | | |