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Winchester, Kentucky

17 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1892 and the latest in 1991. It stands in the Winchester census division. It lies in ZIP code area 40391. The Survey maps it on the Winchester quadrangle. 19,134 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 994 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Winchester within Clark County

On record in Winchester

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 of 44 shown

Every listing in Clark County

Surveyed buildings and structures 3 records

Population over time

2 figures

Winchester grew from 18,368 to 19,134 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201018,368
202019,134+766 (+4%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

9 surveys from 17 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 14 photographs shown, 1916 to 2020

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Bush driving horse home. See labels 4389-4393.  Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Bush driving horse home. See labels 4389-4393. Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress
A wall-to-wall mural that looks like an actiual city block in Winchester, a community in northeastern Kentucky
A wall-to-wall mural that looks like an actiual city block in Winchester, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Driving sheep to town. Gartland boy (did not get first name) Mother runs the Farmers Hotel, Winchester.  Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Driving sheep to town. Gartland boy (did not get first name) Mother runs the Farmers Hotel, Winchester. Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress
Topping tobacco. Roland Lowe, 13 years old in field with two brothers. There are 7 boys and 2 girls in the family, and 4 are in school. Father, Mose Lowe, R. Route 1, Winchester. Children go to Pretty Run School, Div. 2, Clark Co., Ky., but Roland and Bush, 14 years old have not started yet--about 3 weeks after it opened. Father rents this farm of 160 acres. Bush is also topping.  Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Topping tobacco. Roland Lowe, 13 years old in field with two brothers. There are 7 boys and 2 girls in the family, and 4 are in school. Father, Mose Lowe, R. Route 1, Winchester. Children go to Pretty Run School, Div. 2, Clark Co., Ky., but Roland and Bush, 14 years old have not started yet--about 3 weeks after it opened. Father rents this farm of 160 acres. Bush is also topping. Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress
John Aldridge, 14 years old. Father, Hense Aldridge, R. Route 1, Winchester. Driving horse home. Works on tobacco. Expects to start school in "couple of weeks." It is now several weeks after school opened. Division 2, Clark Co., Ky.  Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
John Aldridge, 14 years old. Father, Hense Aldridge, R. Route 1, Winchester. Driving horse home. Works on tobacco. Expects to start school in "couple of weeks." It is now several weeks after school opened. Division 2, Clark Co., Ky. Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress
Driving sheep to town. Gartland boy (did not get first name) Mother runs the Farmers Hotel, Winchester.  Location: Clark County--Winchester, Kentucky
Driving sheep to town. Gartland boy (did not get first name) Mother runs the Farmers Hotel, Winchester. Location: Clark County--Winchester, Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress
Topping tobacco. Roland Lowe, 13 years old in field with two brothers. There are 7 boys and 2 girls in the family, and 4 are in school. Father, Mose Lowe, R. Route 1, Winchester. Children go to Pretty Run School, Division 2, Clark Co., Ky., but Roland and Bush, 14 years old have not started yet--about 3 weeks after it opened. Father rents this farm of 160 acres.  Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Topping tobacco. Roland Lowe, 13 years old in field with two brothers. There are 7 boys and 2 girls in the family, and 4 are in school. Father, Mose Lowe, R. Route 1, Winchester. Children go to Pretty Run School, Division 2, Clark Co., Ky., but Roland and Bush, 14 years old have not started yet--about 3 weeks after it opened. Father rents this farm of 160 acres. Location: Clark Co.--Winchester, Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress
Spiking tobacco on Lowe farm. Roland 13 and Bush 14 years old will go to Pretty Run School in a week or two, when tobacco is all in. It is a school day and school began 2 months ago. Boys say they have been in school some this year.  Location: Clark County--Winchester [vicinity], Kentucky
Spiking tobacco on Lowe farm. Roland 13 and Bush 14 years old will go to Pretty Run School in a week or two, when tobacco is all in. It is a school day and school began 2 months ago. Boys say they have been in school some this year. Location: Clark County--Winchester [vicinity], Kentucky
Hine, Lewis Wickes, 1916. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Clark County

Fires near this place

1 since 2001

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 1 fire within 5 miles of Winchester in 2001, burning about 3 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 November 2001Debris and open burning3.0 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Clark County

Storms near this place

60 of 83 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Winchester in 83 storm reports between 1995 and 2025: 57 thunderstorm wind, 13 flash flood, 10 hail, 2 lightning. The reports record 3 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 1995Thunderstorm WindWinchester3 hurt, $50,000,000The damage path was from Combs Ferry Road Northeast through the county. The roof off the Red Carpet Inn on West Lexington Avenue was blown off. Debris from the roof was thrown on Shoney's Restaurant and Hatfield Chrysler-Plymouth. Three workers at OHI America were injured when the roof collapsed. Three tractor-semitrailers were blown into a building. Also, there was extensive damage to homes and barns. Winds greater than 100 mph estimated.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindWinchester$1,000,000Law enforcement reported several trees down in the county. The Clark County KY Mesonet observation recorded a 53 mph wind gust.
April 2017Thunderstorm WindWinchester$50,000The Clark County emergency manager reported power lines down in the area along with a tree on a house.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindWinchester$30,000Local law enforcement reported trees and power lines down in the area due to severe thunderstorm winds.
May 1996Thunderstorm WindWinchester$25,000no account filed
November 2005Thunderstorm WindWinchester$20,000The roof was blown off a house that was under construction.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindWinchester$10,000no account filed
July 2021Flash FloodWinchester$5,000A vehicle got stuck in flood waters covering North Maple Street. Cost of damage is unknown.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindWinchester$5,000Roof damage to a barn on Crow Ridge Road was reported.
May 1998LightningWinchester$5,000An old opera house in the downtown area caught fire as lightning struck it. The roof and ceiling of the top floor were heavily damaged.
October 2001Thunderstorm WindWinchester$5,000no account filed
October 2013Thunderstorm WindWinchester$2,000A spotter reported that winds associated with a strong line of showers brought damage to his storm doors and his garage. In his neighborhood many large tree limbs were downed, causing power outages. Thirteen minutes earlier, just 3 miles northwest of Winchester, a Kentucky mesonet site recorded a wind gust of 57 mph.
May 1998LightningWinchester$2,000Lightning struck a tree which then fell on a house damaging the roof.
April 2025Thunderstorm WindWinchester-There were multiple trees reported down around Winchester.
February 2024Thunderstorm WindWinchester-There were large tree limbs down near a home.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees were blown down by strong winds onto cars at Winchester Country Club.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Social media reported that power lines were snapped near Taco Bell in Winchester.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindWinchester-There were multiple reports of tree damage and limbs down across portions of Clark County, including within the city of Winchester along Meadowbrook Drive.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindWinchester-There were trees down over multiple roads.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindWinchester-There were reports of trees down in Winchester.
July 2021Flash FloodWinchester-There was water over multiple roadways. The 200 block of Shoppers Drive and Old Boonesboro Road were all closed. Two cars stalled in the flood waters.
October 2021Flash FloodWinchester-The intersection of Broadway and Washington was closed due to flooding.
October 2021Flash FloodWinchester-The emergency manager reported that roads were closed and water rescues were taking place.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindWinchester-A tree fell down.
May 2020Flash FloodWinchester-Boonesboro Road was closed due to high water.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Several trees were down across Clark County.
September 2018Flash FloodWinchester-State Road 89, Irvine Road, was underwater 1 to 2 miles southeast of Winchester, Kentucky.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Local law enforcement reported several power lines down across the county due to severe thunderstorm winds.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Local law enforcement reported several downed trees across the county, some of which were blocking roadways.
July 2016Flash FloodWinchester-A trained spotter reported flash flooding and impassable roads on Old Ruckerville Road.
July 2015HailWinchester-The Clark County emergency manager reported hail 3/4 inch in diameter.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindWinchester-The Clark County emergency manager reported trees down in the Winchester area due to severe thunderstorm winds.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindWinchester-A county official reported that trees were down across the county due to severe thunderstorm winds.
July 2015Thunderstorm WindWinchester-A Clark County law enforcement official reported power lines down in the city of Winchester. Numerous trees were reported down across the county as well.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Thunderstorms winds toppled half of a tree in Winchester.
January 2013Thunderstorm WindWinchester-The Clark County emergency manager reported a few trees downed in Winchester.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindWinchester-A gust front associated with a line of storms across southern Ohio downed trees and power lines across Clark County.
April 2009Thunderstorm WindWinchester-A tree was downed across College Street.
February 2009Thunderstorm WindWinchester-A heavy awning was blown off of a home and was blocking Ashland Avenue in Winchester.
May 2009Flash FloodWinchester-Four inches of water was flowing across the road in Highview.
June 2009Flash FloodWinchester-Water was flowing over Route 89 between Winchester and the Estill County line.
September 2009Heavy RainWinchester-The Clark County Kentucky Mesonet site measured 2.31 inches of rainfall in a little less than two hours.
March 2008Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Thunderstorm winds downed trees.
July 2008Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Numerous trees were reported down across the county.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Several trees were downed.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Several trees were blown down over the western part of the county, between Winchester and Pine Grove.
October 2007Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees were downed.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees and power lines were downed.
May 2004Flash FloodWinchester-Up to one foot of water was over Richmond Road in southwestern Clark County.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees and power lines were downed along Redhouse Road.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees and power lines were downed.
May 2004Flash FloodWinchester-Highway 89 and Ruckersville Road were flooded.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Four roads were blocked by downed trees.
May 2003Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees were downed.
July 2002Flash FloodWinchester-Water covered part of the Highway 1927 Bypass.
May 2002Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees were downed.
June 2000Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Trees were downed.
August 1997Thunderstorm WindWinchester-Numerous trees down.
February 2024HailWinchester-no account filed
April 2017HailWinchester-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Clark County

Newspapers printed here

1,717 digitised pages

1 paper published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 270 issues, 1,717 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.

NewspaperPublished
The Winchester News1908 to 19??

What the paper printed

21,326 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 6 issues spread across its run from 1908 to 1912, 21,326 words in total. Each is reproduced on its own page, exactly as the recogniser returned it.

These pages read less well than anything else here, and the number is worth stating: about three words in four come through cleanly, against nine in ten for the building records. An 1896 broadsheet sets eight-point type in seven columns on microfilm, which is the hardest thing in this archive to read by machine. We tested our own recognisers against the Library's and they were not better, so the Library's text is what appears, with the wholly unreadable columns removed. Read it as a guide to what the paper covered, and follow the link to the scan before quoting anything.

IssuePaper Length
1908-10-12The Winchester News3,254 words
1908-10-29The Winchester News3,843 words
1908-11-16The Winchester News3,460 words
1908-12-03The Winchester News3,538 words
1908-12-21The Winchester News3,477 words
1912-02-29The Winchester News3,754 words

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Wesleyan Park0.7 miles17
Hampton Manor0.8 miles17
Colby Hills1.0 miles17
Forrest Park1.0 miles7
Victory Heights (historical)1.1 miles7
Bon Haven1.3 miles7
Bel Air1.5 miles7
Green Fields Estates1.5 miles17

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on WinchesterAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q985302The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 506924. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.