Maysville, the seat of Mason county, is at the confluence of Limestone Creek and the Ohio river. Settlement began in the 1780s and the site was initially known as Limestone, named for the creek. The town was formed in 1787 and named Maysville for John May, surveyor, clerk, and land owner in the area. The post office opened in 1794 as Limestone and was renamed Maysville about 1799. Both names were in use well into the nineteenth century. Maysville became an important port. Ferries crossed to Ohio and a road was opened to Lexington by around 1800.Maysville is one of largest burley tobacco markets in the world and at one time was one of largest hemp markets.