Frankfort in Franklin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Franks Ford, Fishtrap Island, and Craw

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 30, 2012

1. Franks Ford, Fishtrap Island, and Craw Marker

Inscription. Frankfort takes its name-many people believe-from an episode that took place near here during the frontier era. A group of explorers camping near the mouth of Benson Creek was attacked by Indians. One member of the group, Stephen Frank, was killed. After that, people began to refer to the Kentucky River crossing point here as Franks Ford. Over time, this changed to Frankfort. Another theory holds that the town was named after Frankfurt, Germany. When settlers first established Frankfort in the 1780s, there was a sizeable island in the Kentucky River near the mouth of Benson Creek. It became known as Fishtrap Islands Native Americans took advantage of the narrow passages on either side of the island. They extended nets across these channels and trapped fish in them. Frankfort’s early settlers did the same thing and enjoyed an abundant catch of fish from the Kentucky River for many years. All of this came to an end when Lock and Dam Number 4 were built just downstream from here. The dam raised the water level so much that Fishtrap Island was permanently inundated and disappeared. The mouth of Benson Creek, across the Kentucky

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River from here, marks the point where Kentuckys first three counties came together. You are standing in what was Fayette County. To your left front was Lincoln County, and to your right front was Jefferson County.

This photograph shows Frankfort’s Craw neighborhood, which was behind where you are standing now. It is shown in this photo during the great flood of 1937, the worst of many Kentucky River floods in Frankfort. During the late 1960s, the floodwall was built along this stretch of the river to protect North Frankfort. Craw was demolished and replaced with the Capital Plaza government/commercial/recreation complex.

Photo courtesy of the Capital City Museum, City of Frankfort Department of Parks, Recreation, & Historic Sites.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 38° 12.185′ N, 84° 52.803′ W. Marker is in Frankfort, Kentucky, in Franklin County. It can be reached from Wilkinson Boulevard (U.S. 421) north of West Plaza Connector Road (U.S. 127), on the right when traveling south. Located along the Riverview Trail in

Mouth Benson Creek on opposite bank of Kentucky River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bernard Fisher, December 30, 2012

2. Mouth Benson Creek on opposite bank of Kentucky River

Kentucky River View Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 404 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort KY 40601, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Farm Entryway and Pillar (a few steps from this marker); Turnpike Era Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); The R. T. Brooks Pavilion (within shouting distance of this marker); Kentucky Edge Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); Plantation Era Fence (within shouting distance of this marker); The Kentucky River Today (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Bridge Abutments (about 300 feet away); List of CSO Points in Frankfort (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

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in Frankfort.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on December 31, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,668 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 31, 2012, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.