Robertson County, Kentucky

Founding: February 11, 1867
Parent counties: Bracken, Harrison, Mason, and Nicholas

Namesake: George Robertson (1790–1874), Kentucky congressman
Seat: Mount Olivet (1867–)

Land area: 100 square miles

Population (2010): 2,282

Population (historic): 5,399 (1870); 4,900 (1900); 3,344 (1930)

Periods of population growth: Pre-1870

Subdivisions: One city

National Register listings: Three

Income (per capita): $13,404

Income (median household): $30,581
Business establishments: 18 (126.8 people per business)
Pre-1939 residences (estimated): 294 (25.8%)
Vacant houses: 227 (19.9%)
Sources of settlement: Virginia and Kentucky

Mount Olivet

Namesake: Unknown

Founding: 1820 (platting); 1850 (post office); 1851 (incorporation)

Population (2010): 299

Population (historic): 254 (1870); 352 (1900); 419 (1930)

Periods of population growth: 1860–1880; 1920–1940; 1960s; 1980s
Typology: Irregular (ridgetop intersection)

Courthouse Prehistory

- Between 1867 and 1870, Robertson County officials met in Mount Olivet's Masonic lodge.

First Courthouse

Photo by W. Marsh.

Location: 26 Court Street (Mount Olivet)

Construction: 1870 / 2009

Years of service: 1870–

Typology: Cubic; brick; two-story

Style: Italianate

Builder: G.M. Williams / GRW, Inc.

Cost: Unknown

Status: Extant; functional

Features of note: Central louvered cupola; centered gable; three-by-four bay arrangement; narrow frieze board; cornice brackets; round- and segmental-arched windows (six-over-six); pedimented door surround.

For more photos, see this page. For interior photos, see the building's National Register nomination.

Source: Wikipedia; Courthouse History; United States Census Bureau; National Register form.