Location and History Steeped in history, the county is home to breathtaking views of rolling horse pastures sweeping alongside historical stone fences and buildings. Mercer County’s central location makes it ideal for businesses and tourists alike. All of central Kentucky’s most famous attractions are within an hour’s drive. There are also many educational opportunities available at several nearby community colleges. Rail and trucking services are readily accessible in the county. The nearest local airport, the Danville-Boyle County Airport, is only 13 miles southeast of Harrodsburg in Danville; only 32 miles northeast of Harrodsburg, you can catch a commercial flight at the Blue Grass Airport in Lexington. Map Major Cities Distance     Atlanta, GA 358 miles Knoxville, TN 163 Baltimore, MD 567 Los Angeles, CA 2,160 Birmingham, AL 413 Louisville, KY 74 Chicago, IL 361 Nashville, TN 204 Cincinnati, OH 111 New Orleans, LA 753 Cleveland, OH 351 Pittsburgh, PA 374 Detroit, MI 369 St. Louis, MO 332 The climate in Mercer County adds to its allure. The average temperature is 55 degrees, with sunny conditions during two-thirds of the year. The county receives an average of 45 inches of precipitation yearly, which helps maintain the lush green fields and the beautiful surroundings. Harrodsburg, the county seat and a prestigious, fourth-class Kentucky city, is conveniently located at the junction of U.S. 68 and U.S. 127. Located almost exactly in the center of the state, the city is 32 miles from Lexington, Kentucky; 72 miles from Louisville, Kentucky; 113 miles from Cincinnati, Ohio; and 198 miles from Nashville, Tennessee. Harrodsburg is also a gold-level Kentucky Renaissance City. This program was started in 1997 by Governor Paul Patton. It recognizes communities in the state that work to maintain and restore central downtown areas. As this honor shows, Harrodsburg is committed to the vitality of its downtown areas. As one of fewer than 100 Renaissance Cities in Kentucky, downtown Harrodsburg has been redeveloped to attract more business, retail, housing and entertainment centers. By reaching the highest level possible in the three-tiered Renaissance program, Harrodsburg received substantial government funding for renovations. The commitment of Harrodsburg’s officials to the Renaissance program is just one of many ways they have expressed the desire to hold on to the history surrounding them. Harrodsburg is small enough to maintain a home-town feel, yet large enough to supply the community with ample employment and entertainment possibilities. In 2000, the population of Harrodsburg was estimated at over 8,000 people; the population of Mercer County was almost 21,000. With a land area of 251 square miles, this is a county with plenty of room to grow. Other communities and towns within the county include Bondville, Burgin, Cornishville and Salvisa. The history in the county is as rich as the soil. In 1774, James Harrod founded “Harrod’s Town” after traveling down the Kentucky River and finding a beautiful spring. This spring still exists outside of Harrodsburg. James Harrod had been unanimously chosen as the leader of the expeditionary company which founded Fort Harrod because of his strength in hunting, his skill with a rifle and his rapport with the Native Americans. Because Harrodsburg is the oldest Anglo-American town in Kentucky and was the first permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains, the history of the entire state starts right in Mercer County. In 1776, Harrod’s Town became the county seat of Kentucky County, Virginia; then the county seat of Lincoln County when it was formed in 1780. When Mercer County was formed six years later, Harrodsburg remained the county seat. Mercer County was an important hub in the settlement of the West. Often referred to as the “Birthplace of the West,” Harrodsburg hosted many pioneers on their journeys to settle the rest of the Western frontier. As such, the city was an important center for communication with the eastern settlements. In 1794, Harrodsburg opened a post office, only the second in Kentucky. Just outside of Harrodsburg is Shaker Village, a National Historic Landmark. The village was formed in 1805 and is the only site of its kind to have all visitor services provided in the original buildings. Residents of the county are proud of the heritage their ancestors have given them. Everywhere you turn, there is a lesson to learn about the history of the region and the country. Residents are reminded daily of the history of their community by the beautiful architecture throughout the town. From log cabins to southern mansions and Victorian homes, there is an extensive collection of historic architecture in Harrodsburg.