Vicco, Kentucky

Vicco is a home rule-class city in Perry County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 334 at the 2010 census. On January 16, 2013, Vicco became the smallest city in the United States to pass an ordinance outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation.[2][3]

Vicco was originally a coal mining town; its name comes from the initials of the Virginia Iron Coal and Coke Company. The city was known for its bars and entertainment; The New York Times described it as "the local coal miner's Vegas." The decline of the coal industry in the region brought economic trouble to Vicco, as local businesses closed and the city faced severe budget deficits. However, the city has recently attempted a revival, having restarted its defunct police force among other measures.[2]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 318 people, 132 households, and 93 families residing in the city. The population density was 411.2 people per square mile (159.5/km²). There were 152 housing units at an average density of 196.6 per square mile (76.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.69% White and 0.31% from two or more races.

There were 132 households of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living in them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.

Viper, Kentucky

Walton, Kentucky

Walton is located in southeastern Boone County and extends slightly into southwestern Kenton County. U.S. Route 25 (Main Street) runs through the center of the city, and Interstates 75 and 71 diverge just west of the city limits. Access to the city from I-75 is via exit 171 (Kentucky Routes 14 and 16). Downtown Cincinnati is 21 miles (34 km) to the north, Lexington is 64 miles (103 km) south via I-75, and Louisville is 82 miles (132 km) to the southwest via I-71.

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 2,450 people, 913 households, and 665 families residing in the city. The population density was 701.4 people per square mile (271.0/km²). There were 992 housing units at an average density of 284.0 per square mile (109.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.35% White, 0.94% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.69% Asian, 0.04% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 913 households out of which 41.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.1% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.15.

The age distribution was 29.7% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 11.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

Warsaw, Kentucky

Warsaw is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Kentucky, United States,[2] located along the Ohio River. The name was suggested by a riverboat captain, who was reading Thaddeus of Warsaw, by Jane Porter, when the city was being founded.

Warsaw is located in north-central Gallatin County, along the south bank of the Ohio River. Across the river is the unincorporated community of Florence, Indiana; the closest river crossing is the Markland Dam Bridge, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to the west (downstream). U.S. Route 42 passes through the center of town, leading northeast 35 miles (56 km) to Covington and southwest along the Ohio River 17 miles (27 km) to Carrollton. Kentucky Route 35 leads south from Warsaw 6 miles (10 km) to Interstate 71 and the Kentucky Speedway in Sparta.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Warsaw has a total area of 0.69 square miles (1.8 km2), of which 0.66 square miles (1.7 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km2), or 6.47%, is water.[3]

Warsaw began as a landing on the Ohio River in 1798 called "Great Landing". In 1805, founder Colonel Robert Johnson surveyed and built a road from this landing to his former home in Scott County, Kentucky. The landing soon became a busy shipping port.

Mount Washington, Kentucky

Mount Washington is a home rule-class city[3] in northeast Bullitt County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 9,117 at the 2010 census.[4] The city is one of several surrounding Louisville that have experienced a sharp rise in population in the past three decades, becoming a commuter town.

Mount Washington is located at what was once the crossroads of two stagecoach routes and was originally known as The Cross Roads. It was formally established in 1822 as Mount Vernon, after President George Washington's Virginia home, but it was unable to continue using the name because another town's post office had priority. At the time, the settlement housed c. 700 people and boasted three churches, two schools, six stores and groceries, five doctors, two taverns, and twelve mechanical trades. At the time of its (first) formal incorporation as a city in 1833, the town's name was changed to "Mount Washington", again in honor of the first United States president.

Mount Washington became the economic center of Bullitt County by the 1850s. In the autumn of 1862, during the Civil War, the town was held by John Wharton's Confederate cavalry, who skirmished with Maj. Gen. Thomas L. Crittenden's men north of Mount Washington along Floyds Fork on October 1. A defeat the following day led to a Confederate retreat from the area.

Through the nineteenth century, a two-room school building stood on the southern end of Bardstown Road (now Highway 31E), but in 1916 a new building consisting of four classrooms was built. Where the four-room classroom building once stood, now stands Mt. Washington Middle School. This building was constructed in the early 1940s as the high school. Mt. Washington Middle School had to expand and remodel in 1995 because the population was growing tremendously, and now supports over 200 classrooms and offices. Since then, another middle school had to be built on the other side of the city. That project was completed in 2006.

Wellington, Kentucky

Wellington is a home rule-class city in metro Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. It is considered to be part of the Upper Highlands section of Louisville. The population was 577 at the 2010 census.

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 561 people, 246 households, and 167 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,101.5 people per square mile (2,406.7/km²). There were 258 housing units at an average density of 2,806.0 per square mile (1,106.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.15% White, 1.43% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.67% of the population.

There were 246 households out of which 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 3.4% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 28.5% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.2 males.

West Liberty, Kentucky

West Liberty is a home rule-class city in Morgan County, Kentucky, United States. It is the county seat of Morgan County.[3] As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,435.[1] It is located on the banks of the Licking River at the junction of Kentucky Route 7 and U.S. Route 460.

By 1816, an early settlement at the town site was called Wells Mills. When Morgan County was founded in 1823, the settlement was incorporated to become the county seat. It chose the name West Liberty in the belief that Pikeville, Kentucky would be called "Liberty" when it incorporated. The town is actually 100 miles east of Liberty, Kentucky.

Three Civil War skirmishes were fought near West Liberty, and much of the town was burned during the war, including the courthouse. It was replaced after the war, and a fourth courthouse was built in 1907.

On March 2, 2012, West Liberty was hit by an EF-3 tornado which caused extensive damage to the downtown area.[4][5] This tornado left a swath of damage over a mile wide. Many homes and businesses were heavily damaged or destroyed. Six people were killed and at least 75 people were injured.[6] Preliminary assessments from emergency officials and media indicated a path length of 60 miles (97 km)[citation needed], though a National Weather Service survey concluded the tornado travelled 85 miles from Menifee County to Lincoln County, West Virginia.[7] It had the longest track of any tornado in the United States in 2012.[8]

West Point, Kentucky

West Point is a home rule-class city in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States, near the edge of Fort Knox military reservation on Dixie Highway. It is located in a former meander bend of the Ohio River. The population was 797 at the 2010 census,[2] down from 1,100 at the 2000 census.

West Point was founded by pioneer James Young, who built a cabin at the site in 1789 and, in 1797, built a brick house and inn that is still standing today. In 1803, Lewis and Clark passed nearby and recruited West Point citizen John Shields to join their Corps of Discovery.

West Point sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Salt rivers, a strategic position that led Union forces to construct a fort here during the Civil War to protect their supply routes. Fort Duffield is the state's largest and best-preserved earthen fortification from the period.

One of the newest preservation projects in West Point is the rehabilitation of the West Point Independent Colored School (1926), one of the "Rosenwald Schools" built by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald to educate African-Americans in rural areas. Plans call for using the one-room school as a visitor, educational, and research facility.

Nguyễn Cao Kỳ

Nguyễn Cao Kỳ ( listen; 8 September 1930 – 23 July 2011)[1][2] served as the chief of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force in the 1960s, before leading the nation as the prime minister of South Vietnam in a military junta from 1965 to 1967. Then, until his retirement from politics in 1971, he served as vice president to bitter rival General Nguyễn Văn Thiệu, in a nominally civilian administration.

Born in northern Vietnam, Kỳ joined the Vietnamese National Army of the French-backed State of Vietnam and started as an infantry officer before the French sent him off for pilot training. After the French withdrew from Vietnam and the nation was partitioned, Kỳ moved up the ranks of the Republic of Vietnam Air Force to become its leader. In November 1963, Kỳ participated in the coup that deposed president Ngô Đình Diệm and resulted in Diệm's assassination.

In 1964 Kỳ became prominent in junta politics, regarded as part of a group of young, aggressive officers dubbed the Young Turks. Over the next two years, there were repeated coup attempts, many of which were successful, and Kỳ was a key player in supporting or defeating them. In September 1964, he helped put down a coup attempt by Generals Lâm Văn Phát and Dương Văn Đức against Nguyễn Khánh, and the following February he thwarted another attempt by Phát and Phạm Ngọc Thảo. His favored tactic in such situations was to send fighter jets into the air and threaten large-scale air strikes, and given his reputation for impetuosity, he usually attained the desired backdown. After the latter attempt, he also had the weakened Khánh forced into exile and eventually took the leading position in the junta in mid-1965 by becoming prime minister, while General Thiệu was a figurehead chief of state. During his period at the helm, he gained notoriety for his flamboyant manner, womanizing, and risky and brash behavior, which deeply concerned South Vietnam's American allies and angered the Vietnamese public, who regarded him as a "cowboy" and "hooligan".[3] He cared little for public relations, and on occasion publicly threatened to kill dissidents and opponents as well as to flatten parts of North Vietnam and South Vietnamese units led by rival officers with bombings, although none of this materialized.

Nevertheless, Kỳ and Thiệu were able to end the cycle of coups, and the Americans backed their regime. In 1966 Kỳ decided to purge General Nguyễn Chánh Thi, another officer in the junta regarded as his greatest rival, from a command role. This provoked major unrest, particularly in South Vietnam, where some units joined with Buddhist activists supportive of Thi and hostile to Kỳ in defying his junta’s rule. Three months of large-scale demonstrations and riots paralyzed parts of the country, and after much maneuvering and some military battles, Kỳ's forces finally put down the uprising, and Thi was exiled, entrenching the former’s grip on power.

Whitesburg, Kentucky

Whitesburg is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Letcher County, Kentucky, United States.[2] The population was 2,139 at the 2010 census. It was named for C. White, a state politician.[3]

Whitesburg is home to Appalshop, a multi-disciplinary arts and education center founded in 1969 which produces original films, video, theater, music and spoken-word recordings, radio, photography, multimedia, and books. WMMT (FM) 88.7 (Mountain Community Radio), was founded by Appalshop in 1985.

Whitesburg's major newspaper is The Mountain Eagle. Founded by Nehemiah Webb in 1907, the weekly paper has been owned by the Gish family of Letcher County since 1956. The Eagle has won numerous awards for its coverage of strip mining and its environmental effects, education, and political corruption.[4]

Whitesburg is known for its ubiquitous cut stone. The city was home to a community of Italian stonemasons who moved there with the coming of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1911-1912. Those masons left their mark on the city and the surrounding county of Letcher. The city includes numerous ashlar stone retaining walls, foundations and bridge abutments, as well as several buildings covered entirely in sandstone pulled from the Kentucky River.