Lancaster

History

In 1797, Captain William Buford donated land for the establishment of a town around the site of Major Andrew Wallace's settlement at Wallace Crossroads. The surveying and platting was completed over the next year by Joseph Bledsoe Jr., and the community was named "Lancaster" for the Pennsylvania town, either because one of its settlers came from there or because the town was designed on a similar plan. The post office was established in 1801 and operated under the name "Lancaster Court House" until 1811. Lancaster was briefly occupied by the Confederate States of America before being expelled after the Battle of Perryville.

Geography

Lancaster is located west of the center of Garrard County. U.S. Route 27 passes through the city, leading north to Lexington and south to Somerset. Kentucky Route 52 crosses US 27 in the center of Lancaster, leading east and northeast to Richmond, and west to Danville. Lancaster is east of the Dix River, a north-flowing tributary of the Kentucky River. According to the United States Census Bureau, Lancaster has a total area of , all land. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lancaster has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Race & ethnicity

Most-observed species

• Northern Cardinal

  Cardinalis cardinalis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,413
• American Robin

  Turdus migratorius Linnaeus, 1766 · Aves
  1,193
• Mourning Dove

  Zenaida macroura (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,101
• Blue Jay

  Cyanocitta cristata (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  1,034
• Tufted Titmouse

  Baeolophus bicolor (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  987
• Red-bellied Woodpecker

  Melanerpes carolinus (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  981
• Carolina Wren

  Thryothorus ludovicianus (Latham, 1790) · Aves
  957
• American Goldfinch

  Spinus tristis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  957

Most recent

• M 3.09 — 2025-12-28
  11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky
• M 2.75 — 2025-05-11
  11 km SE of High Bridge, Kentucky
• M 2.63 — 2023-08-04
  11 km ENE of Lancaster, Kentucky
• M 2.64 — 2023-01-12
  4 km E of Burgin, Kentucky
• M 2.67 — 2019-10-12
  21 km ENE of Somerset, Kentucky
• M 2.59 — 2018-01-21
  8 km SSE of High Bridge, Kentucky