Murray, Kentucky is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  With a US Census Bureau population estimate of 19,348 (2018), the city has experienced fast growth throughout it’s 175-year history.

Early History of Murray

Calloway County, was formed in 1822, the 72nd in the Commonwealth. Parceled from Hickman County, it encompasses 395 square miles.  It was named in honor of Col. Richard Callaway. (Note: throughout the history you will find two spellings of this name:  Callaway and Calloway – depending upon the books used in the reference).

At one time it included what is now Marshall County. It is bounded on the North by Marshall County, East by the Tennessee River, South by the Tennessee state line and West by Graves County.

The county included  lands (in the western section) as flat as prairie, once known as ‘barren lands’, but later covered with heavy timber.

The soils were particularly fertile and well adapted to the growth of “Gold Leaf Tobacco” – the chief product of the county.  At one time, there were as many as 15 tobacco factories here.

The principal waterways included the Blood River, Clark’s River, Rockhouse, Bee and Jonathan Creeks.

The first settlement was probably in 1818, by David Jones and James Stewart from Caldwell County.  This was in the vicinity of the settlement of Wadesboro.  Wadesboro was also the site of the first county seat.

This community flourished with over 300 citizens.  It became a center for land speculation.  Many emigrants as well as the speculators came here in search of vacant lands when the public lands were offered for sale by the legislature. It was indeed a thriving town with much accompanying excitement and activity.  It quickly lost its prominence when the lands were parceled and sold. It fell into ruins with many of the citizens moving away.  The county seat was then moved to Murray.

Civil War Era

During the time of the Civil War, Calloway County was a center for intense Confederate feelings.  As many as 500 men joined the Confederate ranks, with approximately 200 to the Federal forces.

It was the scene of many skirmishes during the later part of the War.  Many small bands of marauders, wearing both uniforms frequented the area.  They plundered many, many citizens of their food, money, horses and were responsible for 30-40 murders.  But with peace and time the hostilities and grievances of the war were stilled and the citizenry once again could enjoy their beautiful county.

Fort Heiman, in the southwest corner of Calloway County, for a time was occupied by Confederate forces under General Abram Buford, with one brigade of cavalry, one regiment (3rd of Kentucky) infantry (under Col. Holt), and a battery of light artillery.  These were under the control of Gen. Nathan B. Forrest when he made the successful assault on Johnsonville, Tennessee in 1864.  Col. A. P. Thompson, a native son of the county, was killed in the attack on the fort at Paducah in March, 1864.

Richard Callaway

Richard Callaway, for whom Calloway County was named, had a long history in Kentucky.  He was part of the group of Col. Boone’s in 1775 that began the First Road of Trace from Long Island on the Holston River to Boonesborough on the Kentucky River.

His name appeared for Boonesborough in 1775 as a representative of the Colony of Transylvania.

The first ferry to be established in the state was at Boonesborough in October 1779 and was by the act of the Virginia legislature given and granted to Richard Callaway.

The first families to reach Boonesborough were among others, Richard Callaway’s, in or about September 1775.

Richard Callaway was credited with the first crop – corn – raised in Madison County. He as well as at least 20 other men accomplished this in 1775.

Location of Murray

Murray Population

1860:  218
1880:  636
1900:  1,822
1920:  2,415
1940:  3,773
1960:  9,303
1980:  14,248
2000:  14,950 
2018:  19,348 (US Census Estimate)

Murray Historical Contributions

If you would like to share any historical contributions of Murray or Calloway County, please get in touch with us.