Florence, KY

Florence, Kentucky, was incorporated as a city in 1830 after a series of name changes. A few years later the Covington-Lexington Turnpike was completed, spurring the city's development. In the late 1800s, however, Florence was bypassed by the railroad, and growth halted until the 1930s, when motor vehicles took the focus off the railroads.

During the Civil War, Florence was briefly occupied by Confederate troops invading Kentucky. Today the city of 10 square miles has a population of more than 23,000. The majority of its residents are of German or Irish descent. Florence is located 10 miles south of Cincinnati, Ohio, not far from the Cincinnati/North Kentucky International Airport.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Florence has an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, which is significantly lower than the national average. It is home to a large number of employers in the industrial field and has many hotels, restaurants and retail shopping areas. Economical growth of the city can be attributed to its proximity to most major modes of transportation including I-71, I-75, I-275, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and the Ohio River.

About 84 percent of workers from Florence work for companies, 10 percent work for the government and 3 percent are self-employed. The leading industries in Florence are manufacturing, educational, health and social services and retail. The top employers in the city are Delta Connection Comair, Delta Air Lines, Schwan's Food Mfg. and St. Luke Hospital West.

SHOPPING

• The Florence Antique Mall is a 50,000-square-foot showroom that sells antiques and collectibles.
• The Florence Mall Kentucky has 130 stores that include a wide variety of mostly women's clothing stores. Here shoppers will also find bookstores, jewelry stores and hair salons.
• Rabbit Hash General Store was opened in 1831; this historic store sells Florence souvenirs and occasionally hosts barn dances.

FOR VISITORS

Florence contains seven parks with amenities such as ball fields, tennis courts and walking trails. The city also has a bowling alley, movie theater and several golf courses for residents to enjoy.

• Aqua Park: This water park, located near the Florence Government Center, features a lazy river, swimming pool, two spray grounds, water slides and places to sunbathe. It also offers swimming, diving and scuba lessons, as well as "aquacise" classes.
• Florence Speedway: Car races are held on this half-mile track every Saturday from March to October. The Speedway has hosted Dirt Late Model events, including the North/South 100 and the Spring 50.
• Turfway Park: Horse races occur in the fall, winter and spring at Turfway Park, one of the Tri-State area's premier racetracks. The Kentucky Cup Day of Champions has taken place here. Admission and parking are free.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Boone County Historical Society: The Historical Society preserves Boone County history through lectures and special events.
• Dinsmore Homestead: This 19th-century mansion contains exhibits of historical documents and possessions from five generations of the Dinsmore family. Those who prefer fresh air can enjoy the hiking trails on the grounds.
• Florence Community Band: Florence's volunteer band welcomes new members with or without experience, provided that they are interested in music. The band performs all kinds of musical genres and rehearses every Monday evening.
• Florence Community Chorus: Open to anyone 18 or older, including Florence residents and nonresidents, the Florence Community Chorus rehearses every Thursday evening. The chorus performs at community events, hospitals, nursing homes, churches and private parties.
• Florence is home to Florence Freedom, a Frontier League independent professional baseball team. Games are played at Champion Window Field. Northern Kentucky University's sports teams, the NKU Norse, are NCAA Division II.

EVENTS

• Dinsmore Homestead's annual Harvest Festival: Every September, Dinsmore Homestead offers arts and crafts, concerts, food, storytelling, pony rides and attic sales, for a small admission fee.
• Movies in the Park: During the summer, weekly movies are shown in one of Florence's seven parks. Residents come with picnics and lawn chairs for free outdoor entertainment.
• Florence Y'all Festival: For nearly three decades, the city has celebrated the Florence Y'all Festival. The Labor Day Weekend event takes place on Main Street, and past festivals have included pet shows, fireworks and parades. The celebration is named for the famed slogan on the city's water tower.

EDUCATION

• Beckfield College: The private four-year college focuses on preparing its students for the world of work. They can take advantage of a career-placement department and flexible class schedules.
• Northern Kentucky University: The public university has an enrollment of more than 15,000 and is one of Kentucky's fastest-growing universities. It offers adult education programs in addition to undergraduate and graduate courses.
• Southwestern College-Northern Kentucky Campus: Through its programs in health sciences, business and information technology, Southwestern College equips students with associate of applied science degrees or diplomas.