Independence was named to celebrate the newfound independence of Kenton County when it was formed from Campbell County in 1840. Incorporated on February 24, 1842, the new county seat and courthouse were located in the exact center of Kenton County on 5 acres donated by John McCollum. For decades, the area was mostly farmland, with the exception of a commercial center around the courthouse. The first courthouse, built in the 1840s, was replaced in 1912 by the current iconic Kenton County Courthouse. Parades have long been a staple, and men would line the streets for Roman candle fights on July Fourth in the 1800s. These rural beginnings are traced to the present-day growth of suburbs and commercial areas that may potentially result in Independence being Northern Kentucky's largest city. From a population of only 1,715 in 1970, the city has grown to over 22,000 in 2009 without losing its small-town feel.