A city and a state of mind
Northern Kentuckians typically think of Independence as a fast-growing suburban community and a great neighborhood to raise a family. Although this description is certainly true, the history of the community is rooted in agriculture and government.
Prior to 1840s, Independence was a collection of farms that typically raised crops for area residents or to be transported north to the growing cities of Covington and Cincinnati. Things began to change when the Kentucky General Assembly established Kenton County Jan. 29, 1840. Originally a part of Campbell County, the fast-growing area west of the Licking River was demanding more autonomy. At the time of incorporation, the new Kenton County had a population of 7,816. Ten years later, that number had more than doubled to 17,038.
The Kentucky Legislature required county seats be established as close to the center of a county as possible. To meet the requirements of the legislature, John McCullum donated 100 acres of land at the intersection of Madison Pike and present-day McCullum Road for the site of a courthouse and town. A small Greek Revival building was soon constructed, and county government began. The city of Independence surrounding the new courthouse was officially incorporated in 1842. The name Independence was chosen because the new county had gained its independence from Campbell County.
Independence grew very slowly. In the 1860 census, the population totaled 60. The center of the city was the courthouse, which was surrounded by a bank, a few retail establishments and several churches.
Despite the location of the courthouse at Independence, population growth in Kenton County continued primarily along the Ohio River in Covington and Ludlow. These northern residents of the county began complaining about the long distance and poor roads they had to travel to conduct government business in Independence. As a result, in 1860, a second county seat was established in Covington, thus making Kenton County one of only two counties in Kentucky with multiple county seats (the other county being Campbell County, with its county seats of Alexandria and Newport).
A new three-story combined city hall and courthouse was constructed in Covington to meet the needs of northern county residents in 1902. At that time, the residents of Independence began lobbying for a more substantial courthouse in their community. A few influential residents of Covington responded with the proposal of eliminating Independence as a county seat altogether since the overwhelming number of county residents lived in their city. The residents of Independence and rural Kenton County strongly opposed this plan and demanded a new courthouse in their city. Eventually a compromise was worked out. A $35,000 Beaux-Arts style Independence courthouse with a portico supported by four Ionic columns and a handsome cupola was dedicated Oct. 21, 1912. This is the same courthouse that serves the community today. That same day the new Independence High School was dedicated, containing an auditorium and eight classrooms. The Independence High School had been established in 1910 by the Kenton County School Board.
Despite a new courthouse and school building, Independence remained a rural community. The population stood at 153 in 1920 and 260 in 1930. The community, however, had become the economic and political center of central and southern Kenton County.
In 1937 the Independence Fire Department was established to meet the needs of the region. The department was a volunteer squad with limited equipment, but it did provide the first real fire protection in central Kenton County. That same year, Simon Kenton High School was established as a regional high school for rural Kenton County. An impressive new building costing $175,606.85 was dedicated Sept. 5, 1937, and served 496 pupils. Much of the funding was provided by the President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Works Progress Administration.
The years following World War II dramatically changed the rural character of the city. Urban flight in the river cities resulted in new suburban development in Independence. In 1960 the population stood at 309, by 1970, 1,715 people called Independence home. During this time, city officials began annexing neighboring property. Eventually, the city stretched from the Boone County border to nearly the Campbell County border and contained over 23 square miles. Today the population stands at over 28,000, making it Kenton County’s second largest city behind Covington.
Kenton County Schools have served the community for well over 150 years. The expansion of the schools has been as dramatic as the city’s population. Originally served by a one-room schoolhouse, children are now served by Beechgrove Elementary, Kenton Elementary, Summit View Academy, White’s Tower Elementary, Twenhofel Middle School, Simon Kenton High School, St. Cecilia Elementary School, Calvary Christian School and Community Christian Academy.
The city has increasingly become more residential over the years with an ever-expanding commercial district. Despite this growth, the area retains a rural feel and an independent character.
By David E. Schroeder, executive director of the Kenton County Public Library
