Main Street in Winchester
Winchester is a city in and the county seat of Clark County, Kentucky, United States.[1] The population was 16,724 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Winchester is located at 37°59'41?N 84°11'3?W? / ?37.99472, -84.18417 (37.994774, -84.184289)[2]. There is 3 main high ways in the county. 1958 (Bypass Rd.) is an outer loop of the town. 627(Boonesborough Rd.) is connected to downtown. This road also leads to Richmond although I-75 does run on the southern part of the county. US 60 (Winchester-Lexington Rd.)runs right through the middle of down town Winchester. It also home to the Mountain Parkway and I-64.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.7 square miles (19.9 km²).Of this, 7.6 square miles (19.8 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.52%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 16,724 people, 6,907 households, and 4,620 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,187.6 people per square mile (845.2/km²). There were 7,400 housing units at an average density of 968.0/sq mi (374.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.94% White, 8.83% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.25% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.81% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.60% of the population.
There were 6,907 households out of which 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 16.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,254, and the median income for a family was $36,797. Males had a median income of $31,295 versus $21,747 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,611. About 13.1% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 14.4% of those age 65 or over.
A view of an historical building in downtown Winchester from Kentucky Route 627
A view of Kentucky Route 627 while traveling south through Winchester
Education
Higher Education
Winchester has been the home of several higher education establishments. Kentucky Wesleyan College was located in the city from 1890 to 1954. When Kentucky Wesleyan left, the local Churches of Christ organized Southeastern Christian College on the former Kentucky Wesleyan campus. After SCC folded in the 1970s, the campus was preserved as a public park.
George Rogers Clark High School
The city's only public high school, George Rogers Clark High School, has a strong record in athletics, celebrating state championships in numerous sports. The boy's basketball team won the 1951 Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) state title under head coach Letcher Norton. In 1991, the football team won the KHSAA Class AAAA state championship, while the girl's track and field team won the KHSAA Class AAA state title. In 1999, the boy's golf team finished as runner-up in the state tournament, and continues to make noise in the golf community, with several of its 1999 team members moving on to college golf and semi-pro golf. The most recent addition to GRC Athletics is the boys and girls swim team, which competed in its first season during the 2005-2006 school year.
Another very successful team is the Red (Boys) Varsity Cheerleadering Squad. The team has been very successful, winning Eleven State Titles in: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, and 1995. The squad also typically attends the NCA competition in Dallas, TX, where they have placed numerous times as well.
The schools' band program is also very successful. The George Rogers Clark High School Marching Band is regarded as one of the region’s top marching bands and has enjoyed a tradition of excellence since the school’s opening in the mid 1960’s. The band currently has an enrollment of more than 100 members. GRC is known as a formidable competitor in such venues as Bands of America, The Contest of Champions, and Kentucky Music Educators Association Sanctioned Contests. The following list highlights some of the band’s more notable accomplishments:
- Kentucky State Marching Champion - 1986, 2002
- Kentucky State Marching Band Finalist - 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
- Bands of America Grand National Finalist - 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 2007
- Bands of America Midwest Regional Champion - 1992
- Bands of America Midwest & Mideast Regional Champions - 1991
- Murfreesboro Contest of Champions Winner - 1973, 1974, 1977
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - 1987
- Orange Bowl Parade - 1980
The central focus of the George Rogers Clark High School Band Program is its outstanding symphonic/concert bands. Students are taught fundamental musicianship and are exposed to both standard and modern repertoire. Master Classes are offered during the school day once a week for each instrument. Private lessons, chamber music, and solo opportunities are also offered. The GRC Symphonic Band has consistently earned distinguished ratings at KMEA sanctioned Concert Festivals. The GRC Symphonic Band has performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois (1977) and has competed in Bands of America and National Adjudicators Invitational Concert Festivals. Accomplishments include:
Distinguished Ratings, K.M.E.A. Concert Band Assessment, University of Ky - 1998, 2001, 2002, and 2003 First Place, Six Flags Over St. Louis Concert Band Festival - 1997 First Place, Dixie Classic Concert Band Festival - 1996 Midwest Band Clinic Performance, Chicago - 1977 Mideast Band Clinic Performance, Pittsburgh - 1974
While it is not a sport recognized by the KHSAA, cheerleading is popular and very competitive at George Rogers Clark. In 2006, the cheerleading team captured its fourth straight Kentucky Association of Prep Organization Sponsors (KAPOS) state championship. The squad has won 11 of the last 12 state championships in the traditional at-large category.
Notable residents
Winchester has been home to several notable historical figures, including:
Historical & Political
- Daniel Boone, who established Fort Boonesborough on the Kentucky River. Boone is a respected figure in the town, with an annual "Pioneer Festival" held in his honor.
- Chilton Allan (1786-1858) was a United States Representative from Kentucky.
- Armstead M. Alexander, (1834-1892), United States Congressman from Missouri, was born in Winchester.[4]
- William Harrow, (1822-1871), Union general in the Civil War. Born in Winchester, Kentucky, lived in Mount Vernon, Indiana, killed in train wreck in 1872 and is buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery in Mount Vernon, Indiana.
- Helen Thomas, legendary White House press correspondent, was born here.
- The William Hickman House, built in 1814, is located in Winchester and is one of the oldest residences in Clark County, KY.
Artists & Writers
- Joel Tanner Hart, sculptor, (1810-1877) was born near Winchester.
- Bill and Texas Martin, Songwriters/Recording artists-Founders/Owners of RCM Records (Bill, (1938-1999) Texas (1938-1989))
- Paul Martin, Musician/Recording artist Clubhouse Recording, Nashville, TN.
- Homer Ledford, (1927-2006), noted instrument maker and Bluegrass musician.
- Allen Tate, (1899-1979), poet associated with the Agrarians, a group of Southern poets and most noted for "Ode to the Confederate Dead"
- Randy Brookshire, prominent architect.
Actors, Actresses, & Directors
- Matt Long, actor who starred in the TV show Jack & Bobby as Jack McCallister. Most recently appeared on the big screen as young Johnny Blaze in Ghost Rider.
- Timothy S. Reed, director of motion picture screen advertising, New York. National work seen theatrically, as well as Fox Television's That 70s Show.
- Joseph Jackson, director.
- Jason Epperson, film and music video director, placed 2nd in the Fox reality show On The Lot.
- Lark Watts, singer/songwriter and music video director
Sports
- Matt Ginter, major league baseball player, is also a Winchester native.
- Yeremiah Bell, a Winchester native and former football player for George Rogers Clark High School, currently plays safety for the Miami Dolphins NFL team.
Notable Historic Sites
Sister city
Winchester has one sister city, as designated by Sister Cities International:
See also
References
External links
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