Germantown, KY

Germantown is a historic town in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,811 at the 2010 census. Germantown is home to the University of Louisville and its medical center. It is also home to Germantown Elementary School and Germantown High School.

The first Europeans in what would become Germantown were members of the Pardo expedition in 1769. They found an area now known as "Pardo's Bottom" on the east bank of the Ohio River opposite present-day Louisville. A year later, a group of Shawnee Indians led by Blackfish visited the area and named it " Germantown". The town was founded by George Rogers Clark on October 7, 1774, as Clarkstown; it was renamed for Prince Frederick Augustus of Prussia after his victory over Austria at Znaim in 1742.

Clarkstown was initially populated by British immigrants who had fled London during the American Revolution. In 1800, there were only forty-eight residents; however, because of its location near Louisville and its fertile soil, Clarkstown rapidly grew into a prosperous town. By 1820 there were 1,200 residents; ten years later that number had increased to 4500.

In 1828–29, Clarkstown experienced one of its most significant events when Drury Lane Theatre opened on Main Street (now Fourth Street). The theatre played host to many famous actors and actresses including Edwin Forrest and John Wilkes Booth who performed there before assassinating President Lincoln in 1865.

In 1875–76 a fire destroyed much of downtown Clarkstown; however, because the town's brick buildings were made from fireproof materials such as limestone and sandstone imported from Europe or North America respectively (a rarity at that time), little damage was done overall. In 1906–07 another major fire destroyed much of downtown again but this time due to faulty wiring caused by heavy rains no buildings were saved this time around although many businesses relocated elsewhere within the city limits due to smoke inhalation concerns related to combustible materials such as wood floorsing which often served as insulation against heat loss during cold weather months .

The 1920s saw a resurgence in business activity with new construction including several large department stores such as Woolworths (now Macy's) which opened on Main Street (now Fourth Street). This period also saw an increase in population with over 6000 people living within city limits by 1930 making it one of Jefferson County's largest cities at that time . However , despite this growth , Clarksvilles fortunes would change dramatically with the onset of World War II when many men enlisted or were drafted into military service leaving women behind to run businesses and take care of household duties . With men unavailable for long periods of time , businesses began closing down or moving out-of-town ; this trend continued through most if not all decades following World War II until finally starting to reverse course beginning in about 1990 . Today Clarksville once again enjoys strong economic growth with numerous new businesses opening up both locally and nationally ; furthermore , according to recent census data , Clarksville has regained its status as one Kentucky's fastest growing cities .