History
Grant County was a part of Pendleton County until 1820. There is a marker in the courthouse square that depicts the counties declaration. Williamstown was founded on June 12, 1820 by Captain William Arnold. A Revolutionary War soldier, Captain Arnold was also the first sheriff of Grant County. Arnold donated two and one half acres of land to Grant County to establish public buildings. He received the land for his service in the war. Williamstown was first named Philadelphia. After discovering that Philadelphia was already used as a city’s name in Kentucky, the name was changed to Williamstown in honor of Captain Arnold. By December of 1821, Grant County had a courthouse with furnishing order by the court, a jail, and a stray animal pen. The total cost of the three buildings plus furnishing was $2,345.75. In 1820 there were only two schoolhouses. In 1822, the County Courts decided to divide the county into six districts. The following schoolhouses were listed: Zion Station School, Probable 30 th District-Pettit School, Probable Bethel-Faulkner-same location as Mason School, Cartersville School, Gold Valley-Oak Grove School, Probable Sipple School, Skirvin School, Probable Scroggins School, Sherman School, and Conrad School. Grant County appeared to have more than 40 districts some districts operational and some dormant. Walking distance to the schoolhouses during this era was three miles depending on the streams to be crossed by students. The county’s first newspaper was The Williamstown Courier. The first edition was published on October 10, 1872. The Grant County News currently covers news in Grant County. In 1877, the city felt more secure when Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railroad (now known as Southern Railway) laid tracks through Williamstown. There was a depot constructed to serve the needs of the Williamstown citizens.
For more information please contact the Grant County Public Library to check out the History of Grant County, Kentucky
For pictures please follow the link NKYViews
Source: History of Grant County, Kentucky Book