City of Independence,
Kentucky
Independence is located in the center of Kenton County
at the junction of KY 17 and KY 2045. It is one of the
two county seats, the other being Covington.
When
Kenton County was created from Campbell County in 1840,
the act of establishment required that the county seat
be near the geographical center of the new county. Pioneer
John McCollum donated land located at the cross section,
and the town was incorporated in 1842. The town was named
Independence to celebrate the county’s separation
from Campbell County. Construction began on a Greek revival
courthouse in 1840. Independence continued to reside as
“official” seat of government and a second courthouse
was built there in 1912, of classic Beaux Arts design.
Independence grew from a small town to one of Kentucky’s
largest cities in terms of area. Independence is a fifth
class city surrounded by suburbs and farmland.
