John, Simon and Daniel

Boone, Kenton and Campbell, the three most northern counties in Kentucky, are what make up the most of what is known as “Northern Kentucky.” Explorers like Daniel Boone, John Campbell and Simon Kenton worked and lived in Northern Kentucky and eventually these counties were named after them.

Daniel Boone, a famous hunter and explorer and also the founder of Kentucky, was born on November 2, 1734 in Pennsylvania. A few years after 1755, Boone moved his family to what would soon be known as Kentucky. According to Boone County History, “the idea of naming the county after Daniel Boone came from St. Clair Ballard, a member of the Virginia General Assembly after Boone saved his mother from the Shawnee Indians."

Unlike Boone County, Kenton County was founded in 1840 and named after Simon Kenton. Kenton was born in 1755 in Virginia. According to Kenton County History, Simon Kenton was known as “the man whose gun is never empty.” After fighting against the Shawnee Indians and saving the life of lifelong friend, Daniel Boone, the county was named after him.

John Campbell, born in Ireland, came to America as a young man and worked in Pennsylvania. Campbell was a farmer, state legislature and a drafter of the Kentucky constitution. According to Campbell County History, “the county was formed out of parts of Mason, Scott and Harrison counties, and named 'Campbell County' in his honor. Whether Campbell actually lived in Northern Kentucky is not clear, but one account says that he lived to an 'old age' in Newport.”

Although these counties have grown immensely since their time of birth, a tremendous amount of history still remains.  From antique sites such as Glockenspiel Park to new attractions such as Newport on the Levee, the culture and heritage these pioneers left behind are still lingering.