Clark County was an early adopter of hemp production, and grew to be one of the top producing counties in the state. Dealers in Winchester contributed to pioneering the warehouse movement, which became critical for shipping and storing hemp and hempen goods during the 19th century. According to this marker, production increased from 155 tons in 1869 to over 1,000 tons in 1889, valued at about $125 per ton. In the late 1800s, Clark became one of the ten Bluegrass counties which produced over 90 percent of the entire country's yield. During World War II, Winchester was selected as the site of one of 42 cordage plants built throughout country to offset fiber shortage.

 

Click here to learn more about Clark County hemp history.

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