Gratz, Kentucky

Gratz is a home rule-class city in Owen County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 89 at the 2000 census. The population in 2010 was 78.

History

The present city was laid out in 1847 on land supposedly owned by the heirs of Sen. John Brown and was probably named for his grandson B. Gratz Brown, who later became a senator from and governor of Missouri and made a failed vice-presidential bid in 1872 with Horace Greeley of the Liberal Republicans.

The town was incorporated in either 1861 or 1881.Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Gratz, Kentucky". Accessed 28 July 2013.

Before the lock and dam system was built on the Kentucky River, Gratz was one of the most prosperous towns in the area due to the business of portaging goods around an unnavigable part of the river (Lock #2 is just up river at Lockport). Goods were also ferried across the river and transported up KY 22 to Pleasureville, which had a railroad depot.

The town's streets are laid out in a grid pattern. There is a local bank, and many large, well-built houses. Before public electric service was available, a diesel powered generator fed streetlights from dusk until about 10 p.m. A former operator of this plant reported that he learned how much fuel to put into the engine so that it would run out at the desired time (saved him a trip down the hill).

It is home to the only bridge between Owen and Henry county across the Kentucky River. The old Gratz Bridge was a historic iron steel bridge built back in 1931. Work on a newer concrete bridge was finished in 2011. The Gratz Bridge was demolished in February of that year. The Gratz Bridge was on the National Register of historic landmarks. A piece of the old bridge was used in a commemorative kiosk at the site of the old Gratz entrance to the bridge.

Post office and female postmasters

A local post office was established on November 21, 1844, as "Clay Lick" due to its position above the Clay Lick Creek and Joseph W. Rowlett served as the first Postmaster up until July 20, 1850.

The post office was renamed "Gratz" in February 1851 after the town was named for Benjamin Gratz Brown, grandson of John Brown.

70 years after the post office first opened its doors, history was made for the tiny village, as Ida M. Johnson became the first woman postmaster for the Gratz branch, holding the position for 10 years from April 2, 1914 until April 2, 1924.

Another legacy for the branch would begin in 1927 and continue through 1990 with Martha B. Suter serving as Gratz postmaster for a record 33 consecutive years from May 24, 1927 (just 3 years after Ida Johnson) until September 30, 1960 whereafter Suter was succeeded by another woman, Charlsey Virginia Stamper Goodrich. Goodrich served as Gratz postmaster for 23 years from September 30, 1960 up until her early retirement (due to illness) on April 2, 1983. It was then that another woman, Teresa A. Webster, succeeded Goodrich as Gratz postmaster from April 2, 1983 until February 6, 1990, when service was suspended after 146 years of operation. That made 63 consecutive years (1927–1990) in which the Gratz postmaster position was led by a woman and for that era, it was certainly an achievement to be very proud for the Gratz community.

Accounting for the 10 years Ida M. Johnson served as postmaster, with just a three year gap between her and Martha B. Suter, the Gratz post office was led by a woman for 73 of its 146 years of operation. There was a one month period in which another woman served as the Acting Postmaster for Gratz during Ms. Suter's tenure, perhaps due to a short leave of absence for Suter and, that "acting" role was held by Roberta G Minish from December 21, 1927 until January 18, 1928 when Ms. Suter returned to her position as Postmaster.

In total, there were 5 women who served as Gratz Postmaster: Ida M. Johnson, Martha B. Suter (with Roberta G. Minish as 'Acting' temporarily), Charlsey Stamper Goodrich and Teresa A. Webster.

Upon its suspension of service in February 1990, all mail service was acquired by the Owenton city post office.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 89 people, 35 households, and 24 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 43 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.38% White, 5.62% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.62% of the population.

There were 35 households, out of which 28.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.0% were married couples living together, 2.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 13.5% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 154.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 123.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $14,167, and the median income for a family was $23,750. Males had a median income of $16,250 versus $20,750 for females. The per capita income for the city was $9,217. There were 12.5% of families and 28.0% of the population living below the poverty line, including 40.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

References

Further reading

Kentucky State Route 22 Kentucky River Bridge
at Bridges & Tunnels

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Cities in Kentucky
Cities in Owen County, Kentucky
Portages in the United States