American frontiersman Daniel Boone reached the site of present-day Frankfort in 1770. It was the location of a ford (a shallow place in a river that can be crossed) in the Kentucky River and a town was established there. In 1780, pioneer Stephen Frank was killed there and subsequently, the crossing was named Frank's Ford, which later became Frankfort.

The Virginia legislature organized the city in 1786. In 1792, Kentucky obtained statehood and Frankfort was selected as the state capital.

Frankfort developed on both sides of the river, but this location makes the city prone to flooding. The worse floods occurred in 1937 and in 1978. Several levees were constructed to control these floodings.

Many of Frankfort's old homes and buildings have been beautifully preserved.

• There are 5 bridges across the Kentucky River that connect the several districts of Frankfort, including
  • Capitol Avenue bridge.
  • St. Clair Street bridge, or Singing Bridge, was built in 1893. it gets the name of Singing Bridge from the humming noise it makes as vehicles travel across its open-grate steel deck.
• The Buffalo Trace Distillery dates from 1792, making it one of the oldest operating distilleries in the United States.
• Capital City Museum has an exhibition on the history of Frankfort and Franklin County.
• The Corner in Celebrities Historic District is a neighborhood in the northern part of Frankfort. It was designated an historic district because of the many buildings that previously belonged to notable Frankfort residents.
• First Baptist Church was constructed from 1904 to 1908 in Romanesque Revival style. It is located at the corner of Clinton and High streets.
• The Gothic Revival First Presbyterian Church was built in 1849.
• Fort Hill is an American Civil War site. It used to be known as Blanton's Hill. Nowadays it is a park that provides excellent views over downtown Frankfort.
• Frankfort Cemetery is the final resting place of numerous statesmen and famous people. It was established in 1844 and it features several military monuments.
• The Jesse R. Zeigler House was built by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1909.
• The Kentucky Governor's Mansion is the residence of the Governor of Kentucky. It was built between 1912 and 1914.
• Leestown is a historical town that was established in 1775. With the growth of Frankfort it has now become part of that city.
• Liberty Hall was built between 1796 and 1800. It is located at 218 Wilkinson Street and houses a historic museum.
• Frankfort's Old Cemetery includes the graves of Rebecca and Daniel Boone. Daniel Boone was an American pioneer and frontiersman.
• The Old Courthouse was completed in 1887. It has once housed a post office and the Paul Sawyier Library.
• The Old Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church is located in Wapping Street. It was built in 1850, in Gothic Revival style.
• The Old State Capitol building was constructed in 1837 to replce the previous building, which had burned down. It houses a museum.
• The Kentucky State Capitol was built between 1909 and 1910 and boasts a huge floral clock in its plaza.
• The old State House was constructed from 1827 to 1830 and houses the state historical society. It is located at Broadway Street and St. Clair Street.

Frankfort is the trade and shipping center for an area yielding tobacco, livestock and limestone. Wire, wood and plastic products, automotive parts and apparel, liquor, asphalt and thermostats are manufactured in Frankfort. Thoroughbred horses are also raised there. Frankfort is home to Kentucky State University.

Accommodation and restaurants are available in town. Frankfort is in the north of Kentucky, on both sides of the Kentucky River, in the heart of the bluegrass country. It is 700 km southwest of Washington D.C.

Old Courthouse ©Warren LeMay

Old State House ©Warren LeMay

Singing Bridge ©Warren LeMay

Kentucky Capitol ©Gary Todd

Old Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church ©Warren LeMay

First Baptist Church ©Warren LeMay

St. Clair Street ©Warren LeMay

First Presbyterian Church ©Warren LeMay