Garrard County was created from Lincoln, Madison and Mercer in 1796, as the 25th county to be formed in Kentucky. The Kentucky River and its tributary, Dix River, flow along the northern and western boundary; Paint Lick Creek forms the eastern side, virtually creating and island of 236 square miles. The county was named for James Garrard who was governor of Kentucky when the county was formed.

The largest body of pioneers to enter Kentucky established their community on Gilbert's Creek. The Rev. Lewis Craig brought his "Traveling Church", an expedition of 600 settlers from Virginia to settle on the frontier.

Lancaster, the county seat, received its name from Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It was established in 1798 as a junction where the Harrodsburg-Boonesborough Trail crossed the Lexington-Crab Orchard Route. Three Kentucky governors were once residents of Lancaster; Robert P. Letcher, William Owsley and William O. Bradley.

Seven miles north of Lancaster on U.S. 27 near Herrington Lake, is the site of Camp Dick Robinson, the first Union recruiting station south of the Ohio River during the Civil War.

On the banks of the Kentucky River at Camp Nelson, stand the stone pillars of a bridge which was an engineering marvel in its day. Situated near the mouth of Hickman Creek, the old covered bridge was built in 1838 to carry traffic across the river on a span of 240 feet between abutments. It lasted until 1933, nearly 100 years.

*Researched and printed with permission by Robert Powell.

Bank Office & ATM Location
Report lost or stolen ATM/Debit card: 800-528-2273

Lancaster Banking Center

20 Commerce Drive Lancaster, KY 40444 Phone: (859) 792-1914 Fax (859) 792-1916

Full Service Hours: Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - Noon 24 Hour ATM Service