Kentucky

Became state: June 1, 1792

With the important Cumberland Gap and several immigrant routes, Kentucky saw the earliest and heaviest settlement west of the Appalachians. And with its wealth of coal in both the east and west, it is not surprising that Kentucky boasts a large number of railroad company incorporations. The number is likely to swell when better knowledge of timber railroads develops. The state seal, however, is known from only two companies: Louisville & Nasville and Cincinnati Newport & Covington Railway.