6AM City In-house

How well do you know Lexington?

16 interesting facts about Lexington
lex-building-downtown
If you think you already know everything about Lexington, think again — keep reading to become a true Lexpert. | Photo by LEXtoday
Did you know burgoo is actually made with squirrels + blackbirds?

Nah, just kidding. If you know us, you know we’re here for the deep cuts — and there are plenty of interesting factoids to go around. As connoisseurs of the quirky and unconventional, we put together a list of Lexington’s history, oddest characteristics, and more. Maybe you’ve lived here your whole life and know some of this, or maybe you’ll learn something new.

Either way, test your local knowledge with these 15 interesting facts.

Fact 1: In 1958, Lexington became the first US city to implement an Urban Service Boundary (USB) — regulating that new development could only occur inside a designated area. The USB was created to protect Lexington’s lush farmlands and horse farms while minimizing urban sprawl.

Fact 2: Lexington is home to Transylvania University. Established in 1780, this college was the first US college established west of the Allegheny Mountains and the 16th college in the United States.

Fact 3: The First African Baptist Church — founded in 1790 — is the third oldest African American congregation in the US and the first established African American congregation in Kentucky.

Fact 4: Lexington’s downtown public library is home to the world’s largest ceiling clock. The five-story pendulum clock was built in 2001 and depicts the history of the horse in Kentucky.

Fact 5: For whatever reason, it’s illegal to transport an ice cream cone in your pocket in Lexington.

Fact 6: The steam engine was invented in Lexington by Edward West in 1802.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE
Did our fun facts surprise you?
A. Yes, I didn’t know any of these
B. I knew a few but there were still some surprises
C. I know my city well and knew all of these already
IF YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW
6AM City In-house
Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, Nov. 8
  • Election Day | Tuesday, Nov. 8 | 6 a.m.-6 p.m. | Various locations | Free, driver’s license or qualifying ID required | Make your voice heard + cast your vote for local and state elections.
Wednesday, Nov. 9
  • UK vs. West Virginia | Wednesday, Nov. 9 | 7 p.m. | Wendell and Vickie Bell Soccer Complex, 570 Wildcat Ct., Lexington | $10 | Cheer on the men’s soccer team as they compete in the semifinal round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament.
Thursday, Nov. 10
  • Adult Programming: Fitness | Thursday, Nov. 10 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Dunbar Community Center, 545 N. Upper St., Lexington | Free | This fitness class is geared towards older adults + consists of exercises focusing on cardiovascular health.
Friday, Nov. 11
  • Kelsey Waldon | Friday, Nov. 11 | 7 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd, Lexington | $15 | This singer/songwriter is a Kentucky native who is touring in support of her brand new album, “No Regular Dog.”
Saturday, Nov. 12
  • Al’s Block Party | Saturday, Nov. 12 | 5 p.m. | Al’s Bar, 601 N. Limestone, Lexington | $10-$15 | Stop by for an evening filled with live music, art vendors, drink specials + food from Luna’s food truck.
Sunday, Nov. 13
  • Garland Making Class | Sunday, Nov. 13 | 2 p.m. | Central Bank Center, 430 W Vine St, Lexington | $75 | Make your own festive garland with Robin of Southern Hospitality & Etiquette — includes all materials and tools needed to make your own tablescape or mantle decoration.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
100+ MORE EVENTS

Calling all ugly sweaters
ugly sweater graphic
How ugly can you get? | Graphic by 6AM City
It’s sweater weather, and we want to make it count.

Send us your ugly Christmas sweatshirt designs for a chance to be featured on our all-over print sweatshirts + added to our online Six & Main store.

We don’t want to see the good, just the ugly.
Calling all ugly sweaters

Weather
  • 66º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain
Biz
Civic
  • County Council will be meeting this Thurs., Nov. 10 at 5 p.m. to discuss the Goal 4 Workgroup + take public comments. This meeting will allow the workgroup to present its plan for potentially expanding the Urban Service Boundary to the entire council. Live stream the meeting here.
Active
Sports
Trending
  • Flightline captured the hearts of the horse racing community on Saturday — winning the $6-million Breeders’ Cup Classic at Keeneland. The horse is undefeated in his two-year career + will now retire at the Lane’s End Farm in Versailles, just outside of Lexington. 🐎 (LEX18 + BloodHorse)
Cause
  • Lexington’s Fraternal Order of Firefighters (FOF) is hosting its 92Annual Toy Program. Toy donations from citizens, churches + community groups are now being accepted at all fire department locations. The toy giveaway day is scheduled for Sat., Dec. 17. 🎁 (City of Lexington)
Announced
  • Things are about to get ugly because we want to see your best ugly holiday sweater design. If it’s selected, it will be featured on a sweatshirt in our LEXtoday Six & Main shop for purchase. How ugly can you get? Email your design to us. 👀
DYK
  • Did you know there’s still time to share your Black Friday deals with our LEXtoday readers? Promote your business with us by submitting a deal to be included in our Fri., Nov. 25 newsletter. Pricing varies by market + must be submitted by Wed., Nov. 16.
Eat
  • The latest star of a viral board trend: cream cheese. That’s right, cream cheese boards are the latest internet sensation. (Think: fig + honey or everything-but-the-bagel boards. Yes, please.) Pick your base to create your own.*
Featured Deal
  • Do you know the personal finance issues you should check in on before the end of the year? Vermillion Private Wealth is offering a free 2022 End-of-Year Financial Planning Checklist to ensure you’re buttoned up for the new year and can head into the final stretch with confidence. Snag the offer.*
Beauty
  • Consider us influenced by this best-selling mascara, which has 20,000+ five-star reviews. Thrive Causemetics’ Liquid Lash Extensions Mascara™ delivers a phenomenal look, a non-toxic formula, and even creates longer, stronger, and healthier eyelashes over time. Bonus: Get 15% off your entire first purchase.*
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Sports

Basketball returns to the Bluegrass
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Win or lose — a game isn’t complete without ice cream at Rupp Arena. | Photo by LEXtoday
Both the men’s and women’s UK basketball teams kicked off their 2022-2023 season with victories last night.

Men’s basketball

The Cats defeated Howard University — 95-63. Their next game will be at home against Duquesne on Fri., Nov. 11 at 7 p.m.
  • Ranking: The team is currently ranked No. 4 in the AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll.
  • Fun fact: They also have the longest active home win streak in the SEC — 20 games.
  • Prediction: The Wildcats were picked by the league’s media to win the SEC regular season title.

Women’s basketball

The Cats defeated Radford University — 82-78. Their next game will be played at home against Morehead State University on Fri., Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.
  • Ranking: The team is currently not ranked in the AP Top 25, but we’re betting they’re looking to change that up.
  • Fun fact: The Wildcats have four different players on the team who are from Kentucky.
6AM City In-house
THE WRAP
Today’s issue was written by Aaron.

Editor’s pick: I surprised my son last night and bought us last-minute tickets to see the UK men’s team take on Howard for their season opener.

Will he remember that he and his dad got to see the first official UK game in the newly renovated Rupp Arena? Probably not. But I will.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read our interview with the new owner of the Lexington Legends.
Connect with us.

Editorial: Aaron Mikel, Molly Thompson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Marin Fiske | Advertise with us.

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