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Grand Rivers, Kentucky

Grand Rivers is a home rule-class city in Livingston County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 382 at the 2010 census, up from 343 in 2000. It is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.9 sqmi, of which 1.8 square miles (4.8 km2) is land and 0.04 sqmi (2.13%) is water.

The town was formerly located at the narrowest point between the Cumberland River and the Tennessee. Both were dammed and artificial lakes created by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers in the early 20th century; the town now lies on an isthmus of land between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley.

History
Grand Rivers may have originally been known as Narrows from its position between the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. The local post office was established in 1879 as Otisville; changed its name in 1882 to Bernard; and was then changed again to Nickells the next year after the name of a new Illinois Central station.

The settlement was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1890 as Grand Rivers. This newly expanded community was part of local businessman Thomas W. Lawson's attempt to develop local iron deposits into a major steel industry. (The enterprise failed within a few years.) The name refers the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers which previously met near the site, prior to the TVA's creation of Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley. The Tennessee's confluence with the Ohio is located within 40 miles of the town as well.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 343 people, 165 households, and 103 families residing in the city. The population density was 186.1 PD/sqmi. There were 201 housing units at an average density of 109.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.08% White, 0.29% Native American, 0.29% Pacific Islander, 1.17% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.17% of the population.

There were 165 households, out of which 17.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 4.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.63.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.6% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 21.3% from 25 to 44, 35.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 50 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $33,250, and the median income for a family was $42,917. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $15,521 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,642. About 8.7% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.3% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

title: Grand Rivers, Kentucky


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Ledbetter, Kentucky

Ledbetter is a census-designated place (CDP) in Livingston County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,683 at the 2010 census, down slightly from 1,700 in 2000, thus making it the largest and most populous community in Livingston County. It is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area, laying directly across the Tennessee River from Paducah. It is the largest community in Livingston County, but the village of Salem is less than two times the population of Ledbetter.

Geography
Ledbetter is located in the southwesterm portion of Livingston County along U.S. Route 60 just northeast of Paducah. The Census-designated place is located along the banks of the Ohio River, with the mouth of the Tennessee River, which marks Livingston County's southern boundary with McCracken County, located just west of the area.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Census-designated place has a total area of 5.3 sqmi, of which 5.3 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.75%) is water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,700 people, 681 households, and 493 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 322.4 PD/sqmi. There were 712 housing units at an average density of 135.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 99.06% White, 0.29% African American, 0.24% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.12% Asian, and 0.29% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 0.53% of the population.

There were 681 households, out of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.90.

The age distribution was 23.8% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 30.0% from 25 to 44, 27.5% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $34,830, and the median income for a family was $40,217. Males had a median income of $33,080 versus $18,224 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,196. About 7.7% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty threshold, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Ledbetter, Kentucky


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Salem, Kentucky

Salem is a home rule-class city in Livingston County, Kentucky, in the United States. Salem is part of the Paducah, KY-IL metropolitan statistical area. The population was 752 during the 2010 census, down from 769 in 2000. It the second-largest community and largest village in Livingston County, but the census-designated place of Ledbetter has more than two times the population of Salem.

History
The city is believed to have been settled c. 1800 by immigrants from Salem, North Carolina, who named their new community after their former home. It replaced Centerville as Livingston County's seat in 1809, but it was replaced in turn by Smithland in 1842, after the removal of Crittenden County left it more centrally-located.

Geography
Salem is located at 37.26472°N, -88.24111°W (37.264694, -88.241221). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 769 people in 322 households, including 202 families, in the city. The population density was 987.6 PD/sqmi. There were 370 housing units at an average density of 475.2 /sqmi. The racial makup of the city was 99.22% White, 0.26% African American, 0.13% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.65%.

Of the 322 households 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.0% were non-families. 34.2% of households were one person and 23.0% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.72.

The age distribution was 16.9% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 19.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 31.5% 65 or older. The median age was 51 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.5 males.

The median household income was $29,196 and the median family income was $37,857. Males had a median income of $29,375 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,156. About 7.1% of families and 10.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.8% of those under age 18 and 12.3% of those age 65 or over.

title: Salem, Kentucky


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Smithland, Kentucky

Smithland is a home rule-class city in Livingston County, Kentucky, United States, at the confluence of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. The population was 301 at the 2010 census, a drop from 401 in 2000. It is the county seat of Livingston County.

Smithland is part of the Paducah, KY-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Historic sites
The Gower House built in about 1780 is located in Smithland. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It was built as an inn for travelers, on the south bank of the confluence of the Cumberland and Ohio rivers.

The Richard Olive House built in about 1841 is also located in Smithland.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.6 sqmi, all land.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 401 people, 157 households, and 105 families residing in the city. The population density was 647.7 PD/sqmi. There were 188 housing units at an average density of 303.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.75% White, 0.25% African American, 0.75% from other races, and 0.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 157 households, out of which 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.1% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.72.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.0% under the age of 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 27.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $40,568. Males had a median income of $28,281 versus $16,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,751. About 7.1% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Public education in Smithland is administered by Livingston County Schools, which operates Livingston Central High School.

Smithland has a lending library, the Livingston County Public Library.

Notable people

 * Carter W. Clarke U.S. Army General who oversaw the post-war investigation in the intelligence around the Pearl Harbor Attack.

title: Smithland, Kentucky


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Adairville, Kentucky

Adairville is a home rule-class city in Logan County, Kentucky, in the United States. Established on January 31, 1833, it was named for Governor John Adair and incorporated by the state assembly on February 7, 1871. The population was 852 at the 2010 census.

In a duel, future president Andrew Jackson killed Charles Dickinson here in 1806.

History
Adairville was settled in the late 18th century, and was originally known as "Dromgooles' Station". Red River Meeting House was built in 1800 near the town and was the sight of the first religious camp meeting in the United States. It was the birthplace of the Second Great Awakening. When a town was platted in 1818, its name was changed to "Adairsville" in honor the prominent Kentucky politician. The city was incorporated in 1833. The "s" had been dropped from the name by 1881.

Geography
Adairville is in southern Logan County, 1.5 mi north of the Kentucky–Tennessee state line. The city is concentrated around the intersection of U.S. Route 431 (Main Street) and Kentucky Route 591 (Gallatin Street). US 431 leads north 13 mi to Russellville, the Logan county seat, and south 12 mi to Springfield, Tennessee. Larger cities in the region are Bowling Green, Kentucky, 36 mi to the northeast; Clarksville, Tennessee, the same distance to the southwest; and Nashville, Tennessee, 38 mi to the south.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Adairville has a total area of 3.0 km2, of which 4945 sqm, or 0.16%, are water. The South Fork of the Red River passes along the city's southern border, and the Red River proper passes a few miles to the north.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 920 people, 398 households, and 267 families residing in the city. The population density was 704.8 PD/sqmi. There were 431 housing units at an average density of 330.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 79.13% White, 18.70% African American, 0.43% Native American, 0.87% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.61% of the population.

There were 398 households, out of which 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 16.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 16.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $27,266, and the median income for a family was $40,139. Males had a median income of $26,618 versus $20,568 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,490. About 9.6% of families and 13.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 21.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Adairville has a lending library, a branch of the Logan County Public Library.

title: Adairville, Kentucky


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Auburn, Kentucky

Auburn is a home rule-class city in Logan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 1,340 at the 2010 census.

History
Originally called Federal Grove, the present name dates from the 1860s; it was named after Auburn, New York, the previous residence of several early settlers. It was originally incorporated by the state assembly in 1865, and reincorporated in 1878.

Geography
Auburn is located at 36.86639°N, -86.71694°W (36.866523, -86.716910).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.8 sqmi, all land.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,444 people, 584 households, and 397 families residing in the city. The population density was 821.8 PD/sqmi. There were 653 housing units at an average density of 371.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.86% White, 6.86% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.14% Asian, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.69% of the population.

There were 584 households, out of which 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.0% were non-families. 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,500, and the median income for a family was $38,173. Males had a median income of $28,365 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,779. About 11.3% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Auburn has a lending library, a branch of the Logan County Public Library.

Notable people

 * Floyd Collins, cave explorer, victim of cave accident

title: Auburn, Kentucky


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Lewisburg, Kentucky

Lewisburg is a home rule-class city in Logan County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 810 at the 2010 census, down from 903 at the 2000 census.

History
The local post office was established at a nearby stage coach stop in 1852 under the name "Henrysville" in honor of the local postmaster's family name.

In 1872, Lewisburg was surveyed, platted, and founded by the Owensboro and Nashville Railroad to serve as a depot on its line. It was named for Eugene C. Lewis, the line's chief engineer. In 1877, the post office moved to the new community and changed its name. The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly the next year.

Geography
Lewisburg is located in northern Logan County at 36.98556°N, -86.95111°W (36.985622, -86.951059). U.S. Route 431 passes through the west side of the city as Main Street, leading south 11 mi to Russellville, the county seat, and north 26 mi to Central City. Kentucky Route 106 runs through the center of Lewisburg as Stacker Street, leading northeast 20 mi to Rochester and southwest 18 mi to Elkton.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Lewisburg has a total area of 3.1 km2, of which 0.04 sqkm, or 1.39%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 903 people, 415 households, and 249 families residing in the city. The population density was 742.0 PD/sqmi. There were 503 housing units at an average density of 413.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.45% White, 0.22% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.66% from other races, and 0.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.11% of the population.

There were 415 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.0% were non-families. 37.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.6% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,600, and the median income for a family was $28,015. Males had a median income of $30,234 versus $16,875 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,950. About 18.6% of families and 23.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 31.9% of those under age 18 and 23.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: Lewisburg, Kentucky


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Russellville, Kentucky

Russellville is a home rule-class city in Logan County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. The population was 6,960 at the time of the 2010 census.

History
Local historian Alex C. Finley has claimed the area was first settled by Gasper Butcher, as a frontier settlement of the Transylvania Colony of Virginia, around 1780, but others have questioned this claim. Although the area is known to have been called "Big Boiling Spring", "Gasper Butcher's Spring", and "Butcher's Station", W.R. Jillson was unable to find written records of any habitation before 1790. That year William Cook and his wife erected Cook's Cabin, accompanied by eighteen-year-old William Stewart. Also known as "Cook's Station", the community was located about 1 mi east of the present city. It was renamed "Logan Court House" when it was chosen as the seat of newly formed Logan County in 1792.

General William Russell was given a 2000 acre grant here for his military service during the American Revolution. He donated part of this property, in 1795, as a platted section for the county seat, known as Logan Court House. The town was renamed in Russell's honor in 1798. It was formally established by the state legislature on January 15, 1810. It was incorporated as a city on February 19, 1840.

In the early 19th century, the community had leaders who were politically prominent in the state. Four homes in the city still stand that were residences of future governors of Kentucky: John Breathitt, James Morehead, John J. Crittenden, and Charles S. Morehead.

During the Civil War, the Kentucky General Assembly declared its neutrality and declined to secede with the rest of the South. Kentucky was a slave state and Confederate sentiment was strong in the Bluegrass region and the west, but the residents of the mountainous eastern section were mainly small farmers and pro-Union. In the summer of 1861, when Confederate troops had occupied the area, 116 prominent pro-Confederate delegates from 68 counties met as the Russellville Convention and created a rival Confederate government for Kentucky. George W. Johnson was elected as the state's Confederate governor and the Confederacy controlled more than half the state early in the war. Despite de facto Union control over the rest of Kentucky after 1862, the government was recognized and Kentucky admitted to the Confederacy. Kentucky was represented by the thirteenth star on the Confederate flag. During the war, there were several minor skirmishes in and around Russellville.

After the war, Kentucky struggled for some years with insurgent unrest. A gang made up of the former Confederate guerrillas Cole Younger, George Shepard, and Oliver Shepard, along with Confederate veterans John Jarrett and Arthur McCoy, robbed the Nimrod Long Bank or the Southern Deposit Bank in Russellville on March 20, 1868. Brothers Frank and Jesse James, who later had their own outlaw gang based in western Missouri, may have taken part. A Russellville bank on the city square displays a large mural painted depicting the robbery. A reenactment (called a "play on horseback") is performed annually during the city's Tobacco and Heritage Festival.

Several downtown homes have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places including the Victorian Mansion at 224 Cornelius Avenue, a house that boasted the state's first indoor bathroom.

Geography
Russellville is located in central Logan County.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Russellville has a total area of 28.1 km2, of which 0.06 sqkm, or 0.22%, are water. The city is set among small hills in the valley of the Town Branch, a north-flowing tributary of the Mud River and part of the Green River watershed flowing to the Ohio River.

Russellville is served by U.S. Routes 68, 79 and 431. The nearest limited-access highway is the Natcher Parkway (I-165), 24 mi to the northeast.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Russellville has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,149 people, 3,064 households, and 1,973 families residing in the city. The population density was 672.1 PD/sqmi. There were 3,458 housing units at an average density of 325.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 78.64% White, 18.62% African American, 0.39% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.57% from other races, and 1.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.58% of the population.

There were 3,064 households, out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.4% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.6% were non-families. 32.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 18.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 82.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 79.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,647, and the median income for a family was $31,448. Males had a median income of $27,529 versus $20,032 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,654. About 17.1% of families and 23.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.0% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.

Economy
Amid a largely agricultural area, Russellville is home to manufacturers of a number of products from pet food to plastics. The area's largest employer, Logan Aluminum, employs over 1,300 people.

Education
Russellville has a lending library, a branch of the Logan County Public Library.

Notable people

 * Philip Alston, counterfeiter and early settler near Russellville
 * Athena Cage, recording artist, producer, and songwriter
 * Ann Mary Butler Crittenden Coleman (1813–1891), author, translator
 * George B. Crittenden (1812–80), Confederate Army major general during the Civil War
 * John J. Crittenden (1787–1863), U.S. attorney general, Kentucky governor, U.S. senator, and U.S. representative
 * Thomas L. Crittenden (1819–93), Union Army major general during the Civil War
 * Alice Allison Dunnigan, first female African American correspondent for Congress and the White House
 * William Jefferson Hardin, black legislator
 * Elijah Hise, congressman from Kentucky
 * Joseph Jefferson, NFL player
 * Holly Goddard Jones, novelist
 * Finis McLean, congressman from Kentucky
 * Andre Morris, former world record holder in track and field
 * Elijah Hise Norton, congressman from Missouri
 * Presley O'Bannon, United States Marine Corps officer and hero of the First Barbary War; resided in Russellville
 * Kelley Paul, writer and wife of current U.S. Senator Rand Paul
 * Jim Price, former NBA player
 * Mike Price, basketball player
 * Green Pinckney Russell, American teacher, principal, school district supervisor, and college president
 * Fletcher Stockdale, a governor of Texas
 * Mark Thompson (pitcher), MLB player
 * Bubba Wells, former NBA player
 * Terrence W. Wilcutt, NASA astronaut

title: Russellville, Kentucky


text:
Eddyville, Kentucky

Eddyville is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,554 at the 2010 census, up from 2,350 in 2000. The Kentucky State Penitentiary is located at Eddyville. The town is considered a tourist attraction because of its access to nearby Lake Barkley.

History
Eddyville, the seat of Lyon County, was settled around 1798 and named for the eddies in the nearby Cumberland River. It became the seat of Livingston County when the county was formed in 1799; then the seat of Caldwell County upon its formation in 1809; and finally the seat of Lyon County upon its establishment in 1854. Thus, it holds the distinction of being the only city in Kentucky to have served as the county seat of three separate counties. The Eddyville post office opened in 1801.

Throughout Kentucky, Eddyville is best known as a metonym for the Kentucky State Penitentiary, although the prison itself is actually 3 mi south of the present town on the shore of Lake Barkley in "Old Eddyville" on KY 730. Taking six years to build (1884–1890), the massive stone prison structure towers over Lake Barkley and is sometimes called "The Castle on the Cumberland." Its electric chair has had a long history of use, dating to the period before 1936 when executions were still publicly conducted in Kentucky for some crimes (e.g. rape as in the case of Rainey Bethea) while electrocutions at Eddyville were strictly reserved for others (e.g., murder). Executions are still held at the prison, although there have only been three since 1976 and only one since 1999. The primary method has been changed to lethal injection.

Following the completion of Kentucky Dam in the 1940s, rumours began that a dam would be built on the lower Cumberland. This meant relocating Eddyville and Kuttawa. By the mid-1950s, the construction plans were confirmed. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began surveying for the construction of Barkley Dam. This was met with anger from the local population.

The situation was resolved by Lee S. Jones, a native of Lyon County who had attended law school and settled in Louisville, where he had gained a reputation as one of the best "tax lawyers" and made his wealth. Jones had purchased farms in the Fairview community (which is now the site of Eddyville). He came to the Eddyville City Council and presented his plan: each person owning land in the towns (Eddyville and Kuttawa) to be flooded would receive a free lot in the new Eddyville site. This also applied to businesses.

Eddyville residents accepted his offer and on August 13, 1959, the official plat for the new town was filed with the county court clerk. The plat included 254 residential lots, 46 business lots, 28 acre for construction of a school and campus, city park, courthouse, health office, water works, and location of streets.

August 28, 1959, was designated as "Dedication and Free Deed Day" at the new site. A large group of people gathered for the event, which was held in a field, close to the site of the current post office. Mr. Jones handed the first deed to Boyce and Lillian Yates, then presented approximately 60 more residential lots. The first house to be built in the new town was the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. I. Moore. The first business to be built was the Kentucky Utilities office. During the time of building, Eddyville was "booming" and, with the impoundment of Lake Barkley in the 1960s, tourists began making their way into the area for the abundance of fish and boating. However, the tourist influx wasn't sufficient enough to create a steady economic growth. Although campgrounds and marinas were springing up around the lake, the city was struggling.

Construction of the West Kentucky Outlet Mall was launched in December 1988. Three brothers, Bob, Darrell and Ben Jent, purchased a tract of land in the city limits of Eddyville and started construction of a mall, which opened the following fall with ten stores. Within a short time the mall would boast a total of nearly 50 stores. The opening of the mall brought a surge of progress to Eddyville, as a variety of businesses began to move into the city. For the first time in the town's history, people could choose their favorite restaurant, motel, clothing store or other places to shop—all without leaving town. It has been said the mall did more for the progress of Eddyville than any other endeavor since the establishment of the town in 1799, with the possible exception of the building of the Kentucky State Penitentiary. The town was listed as the second fastest growing area in Kentucky in 1997 based on tourism.

The mall has since suffered severe economic troubles, and few stores are currently left.

A regional water park, Venture River, operates seasonally in Eddyville.

Hundreds of homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed in Eddyville and Lyon County from an EF4 tornado that ripped through western Kentucky on December 10–11, 2021.

Geography
Eddyville is located in north-central Lyon County and is bordered to the west by Kuttawa and to the south by Lake Barkley on the Cumberland River.

Two Interstate highways, I-24 and I-69, intersect in Eddyville. I-24 leads southeast 102 mi to Nashville, Tennessee, and west 34 mi to Paducah, while I-69 leads northeast 94 mi to Evansville, Indiana, and southwest 66 mi to the Tennessee border at Fulton. The two highways lead west together from Eddyville for 16 mi before splitting near Calvert City. U.S. Route 62 passes through the center of Eddyville, leading northeast 11 mi to Princeton and southwest 4 mi into Kuttawa. U.S. Route 641 passes through Eddyville with US 62 but splits off at the northeast border of the city and leads north 18 mi to its northern terminus in Marion.

Mineral Mound State Park occupies a peninsula in Lake Barkley in the southern part of the city. The park, golf course and peninsula extend southwest into the city limits of Kuttawa. The Kentucky State Penitentiary, also fronting on Lake Barkley, is within the southernmost extent of the Eddyville limits, 5 mi by road south of the center of town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Eddyville has a total area of 20.0 km2, of which 17.9 km2 are land and 2.1 km2, or 10.56%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2020, there were 2,375 people, 732 households, and 452 families residing in the city. The population density was 351.2 PD/sqmi. There were 906 housing units at an average density of 131.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 85.96% White, 12.72% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.98% of the population.

There were 733 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 36.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.71.

In the city the population was spread out, with 13.3% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 40.5% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 182.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 197.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $40,500. Males had a median income of $37,778 versus $21,845 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,591. About 11.9% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Eddyville has a lending library, the Lyon County Public Library.

Lyon County Public Schools is a public school district. It has 970 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 18 to 1. According to state test scores, 60% of students are at least proficient in math and 65% in reading.

Notable natives and residents

 * Joe Fulks, NBA player
 * Chittenden Lyon, congressman
 * Hylan B. Lyon, Confederate brigadier general
 * Matthew Lyon, congressman
 * Willis Benson Machen, Confederate congressman, U.S. senator
 * John Long Routt, Governor of Colorado

title: Eddyville, Kentucky


text:
Kuttawa, Kentucky

Kuttawa is a home rule-class city in Lyon County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 649 as of the 2010 census, up from 596 in 2000.

History
Former Ohio governor Charles Anderson founded the town on land he purchased in 1866. Originally spelled "Cuttawa" and "Kittawa", Kuttawa seems to have been the name of a Cherokee village near the site, whose meaning is a matter of dispute: it has been variously translated as "beautiful", "city in the woods", and "great wilderness". The city was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1872, the same year it received its post office.

In the early 1960s, the Tennessee Valley Authority constructed a dam across the Cumberland River at Grand Rivers, forming Lake Barkley. Eddyville and Kuttawa were both moved from their original locations owing to the impounded lake.

Geography
Kuttawa is located in north-central Lyon County and is bordered to the east by Eddyville and to the south by Lake Barkley, an impoundment of the Cumberland River, just upstream from Barkley Dam. The city is concentrated primarily in an area adjacent to the western intersection of U.S. Route 62 and Kentucky Route 295, though its municipal boundaries extend southwestward along US 62 and Kentucky Route 810, northeastward to the intersection of US 62 and the merged Interstate 24/Interstate 69, and along KY 295 as it follows the lakeshore to its eastern intersection with US 62.

The Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area lies along the lakeshore opposite Kuttawa. Mineral Mound State Park borders the city to the east. Both Barkley Dam and Kentucky Dam (the latter of which impounds the Tennessee River) are located southwest of Kuttawa. By highway, Kuttawa is 32 mi east of Paducah, 42 mi northwest of Hopkinsville, and 46 mi southwest of Madisonville.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Kuttawa has a total area of 7.8 km2, of which 5.7 km2 are land and 2.1 km2, or 27.40%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 596 people, 220 households, and 157 families residing in the city. The population density was 307.1 PD/sqmi. There were 317 housing units at an average density of 163.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.14% White, 2.52% African American, 0.84% Native American, and 0.50% from two or more races.

There were 220 households, of which 24.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.2% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.61.

In the city the population was spread out, with 14.1% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 18.3% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 36.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females, there were 70.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,357, and the median income for a family was $55,208. Males had a median income of $48,571 versus $31,375 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,355. About 5.6% of families and 7.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.9% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Kuttawa has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Notable people

 * Bill Cunningham, former associate justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court
 * Joe Cunningham, former member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina's 1st congressional district

title: Kuttawa, Kentucky


text:
Berea, Kentucky

Berea is a home rule-class city in Madison County, Kentucky, in the United States. The town is best known for its art festivals, historic restaurants and buildings, and as the home to Berea College, a private liberal arts college. The population was 15,539 at the 2020 census. It is one of the fastest-growing towns in Kentucky, having increased by 27.4% since 2000. Berea is a principal city of the Richmond−Berea Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Madison and Rockcastle counties. It was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1890.

History
The history of Berea is tied with the history of Berea College, which was founded in 1855. The Berea railway station was created in 1882 as part of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and later the Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N). Berea was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1890. In April 1996 a tornado went through the city, causing damage to about 800-1000 homes, with 20 percent of those being destroyed.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.4 sqmi, of which 9.3 sqmi is land and 0.04 sqmi (0.32%) is water. The city is located along Interstate 75, which runs to the west of downtown, with access from exits 76 and 77. Via I-75, Lexington is 40 mi north, and Knoxville, Tennessee is 134 mi south. U.S. Route 25 is the main highway through the center of town, leading north 14 mi to Richmond, the Madison County seat, and south 17 mi to Mount Vernon. Kentucky Route 21 also runs through the city as well, leading east 6 mi to Bighill and northwest 10 mi to Paint Lick.

Berea is located on the border of the Cumberland Plateau. The area has a mountainous appearance, but most outcroppings in the area have a maximum elevation of 2500 ft.

Climate
Berea has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers and relatively cold winters. Summers tend to be humid and sunny, with occasional storms, while winters are generally cold with many milder periods.

Demographics
At the 2010 census, there were 13,561 people, 5,119 households and 3,382 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,458.2 PD/sqmi. There were 5,633 housing units at an average density of 612.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 90.7% White, 4.00% African American, 0.5% Native American, 1.2 percent Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 5,119 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them. 47.1% were married couples living together, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, 14.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.92.

The age distribution was 22.7% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 21, 53.2% from 21 to 62, 2.8% from 62 to 65, and 12.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32.4 years. The population was 53.4% female and 46.6% male (81 males per 100 females).

The median household income was $38,333 and the median family income was $45,541. Males had a median income of $28,304 compared $12,163 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,003. About 27.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.6% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Berea has a lending library, a branch of the Madison County Public Library.

Arts and culture
Due to the high number of arts and crafts produced, Berea is a tourist attraction. It hosts several crafts festivals throughout the year. Berea also hosts a Spoonbread Festival in mid-September, which features a cornmeal bread traditionally served with a wooden spoon. The annual Berea College Celebration of Traditional Music, started in 1974, takes place in mid-October and features traditional music as passed down by people in the Appalachian region.

Transportation
Foothills Express, operated by the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, provides the Berea Bus Service bus service within Berea, Madison County Connector service to Richmond, and local and intercity demand-responsive transport.

Notable people

 * Sue Draheim, fiddler, lived in Berea in her later years until her death in 2013.
 * John Gregg Fee (1816–1901), minister, abolitionist, founder of Berea College
 * John Fenn, recipient of 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry; grew up in Berea.
 * Red Foley, singer, musician, and radio and TV personality; raised in Berea and graduated from Berea High School.
 * Damien Harris, college football player at the University of Alabama; graduated from Madison Southern High School, now a running back for the Buffalo Bills.
 * bell hooks, author, radical feminist, and social activist; lived in Berea until her death in 2021.
 * Silas House, writer and novelist lives in Berea.
 * Louise Gilman Hutchins (1911–1996), pediatrician and president of Berea's Mountain Maternal Health League.
 * Ashley Judd, actress, humanitarian and political activist; briefly lived and attended school in Berea
 * Naomi Judd, country music singer; briefly lived in Berea.
 * Wynonna Judd, country music singer; briefly lived and attended school in Berea.
 * Lily May Ledford, banjo player, member of the Coon Creek Girls; lived in Berea and is buried in the Berea cemetery.
 * J.P. Pennington, musician, son of Lily May Ledford; born in Berea.
 * Jean Ritchie, musician, "Mother of Folk"; resided in Berea until her death in 2015.
 * Anne Shelby, children's book writer; born in Berea
 * Tony Snow, former White House press secretary; born in Berea.
 * Luke Stocker, NFL player, tight end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings; graduated from Madison Southern High School.

title: Berea, Kentucky


text:
Richmond, Kentucky

Richmond is a home class city in Kentucky and the county seat of Madison County, Kentucky, United States. It is named after Richmond, Virginia, and is home to Eastern Kentucky University. With close proximity to Lexington, Richmond is considered by many to be a great place to live. It has an average - high cost of living compared to other areas. The population was 38,030 as of 2024. Richmond is the fourth-largest city in the Bluegrass region (after Louisville, Lexington and Georgetown) and the state's seventh-largest city. It is the ninth largest population center in the state with a Micropolitan population of 106,864. The city serves as the center for work and shopping for south-central Kentucky, with many local and chain options alike. Richmond KY is home to numerous festivals, notably the Millstone Festival. In addition, Richmond is the principal city of the Richmond-Berea, Kentucky Micropolitan Area, which includes all of Madison and Rockcastle counties.

History
Richmond was founded in 1798 by Colonel John Miller from Richmond, Virginia. A British American, Miller served with the rebels in the Revolutionary War. According to lore, he was attracted to the area by its good spring water and friendly Native Americans.

With the original county seat of Madison County being Milford, Kentucky, Miller successfully lobbied the Kentucky legislature to move it from Milford to present-day Richmond. Although the residents of Milford strongly opposed the move, the county approved the transfer in March 1798. On July 4, 1798, the new town was named Richmond in honor of Miller's Virginia birthplace. Richmond was incorporated in 1809.

Kentucky was a southern border state during the Civil War and remained mostly in the Union, even though early in the war, 68 of 110 Kentucky counties seceded to join the Confederacy; however, the state largely came back under U.S. control after early 1862. On August 30, 1862, the Battle of Richmond took place. Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith routed the Union General William Nelson, capturing or killing 5,300 of his 6,500 men. One historian called this battle "the nearest thing to a Cannae ever scored by any general, North or South, in the course of the whole war."

In 1906, Eastern Kentucky State Normal School was founded in Richmond to train teachers. The school graduated its first class of 11 teachers in 1909. In 1922, it was established as a four-year college and in 1935 added a graduate degree program. In 1965, the institution was renamed Eastern Kentucky University.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Richmond saw significant growth, becoming the state's seventh-largest city in 2009.

Geography
Richmond is located in Madison County in the Bluegrass region of the state. The Blue Grass Army Depot lies to the southeast of the city. The city is served by Interstate 75, U. S. Routes 25 and 421, and Kentucky Routes 52, 169 and 388. I-75 runs to the west of downtown, with access from exits 83, 87, and 90. Via I-75, downtown Lexington, Kentucky is 25 mi northwest, and Knoxville, Tennessee is 147 mi south. U.S. Route 25 forms the eastern bypass around the city, leading northwest to Lexington and south 14 mi to Berea. U.S. Route 421 parallels U.S. 25 on the eastern bypass of the city, leading northwest to Lexington (with U.S. 25 and I-75) and southeast 34 mi to McKee.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.2 sqmi, of which 19.1 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi(0.73%) is water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Richmond has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 27,152 people, 10,795 households, and 5,548 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,420.4 PD/sqmi. There were 11,857 housing units at an average density of 620.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 88.30% White, 8.27% African American, 0.29% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population.

There were 13,351 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.6% were non-families. 34.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.14 and the average family size was 2.78.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 17.5% under the age of 18, 31.7% from 18 to 24, 27.5% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 25 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.8 males.

The median household income in Richmond is $63,295 as of 2023.

Government
Richmond operates under a council–manager government. The citizens elect a mayor and four city commissioners who form the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners is the legislative body of the city government and represents the interests of the citizens when applicable. The Board of Commissioners appoints a city manager, who administers the day-to-day operations of the city.

The mayor is elected for a term of four years. Each city commissioner is elected for a term of two years. The term of the city manager is indefinite.

Education
Richmond is served by the Madison County Public School System. In 1988 the Richmond Independent School District merged into the Madison County school district.

High schools

 * Model Laboratory School (Associated with Eastern Kentucky University)
 * Madison Central High School

Higher education

 * Eastern Kentucky University

Public library
Richmond has a lending library, a branch of the Madison County Public Library.

Newspaper
The Richmond Register is published on Tuesday through Saturday publication. The Eastern Progress is a weekly student publication of Eastern Kentucky University

Radio stations

 * WEKY (1340 AM)
 * WCBR (1110 AM)
 * WEKU (88.9 FM)
 * WLXX (101.5 FM)

Roads
Interstate 75 passes through western Richmond, and connects the city to Lexington in the north and Knoxville, Tennessee in the south. I-75 has three exits in the city: U.S. Route 25, State Route 876, and S.R. 2872.

Richmond is located on a concurrency with U.S. Route 25 and 421. The two routes run north to Lexington and diverge approximately five miles south of the city. U.S. 25 connects the city to Berea and Mount Vernon in the south. U.S. 421 connects to McKee in the south east.

State Route 52 connects to Lancaster in the west and Irvine in the east. State Route 169 heads northwest toward Nicholasville. State Route 388 runs north of the city to the north end of the county and Boonesborough. State Route 876 serves as a bypass around the business district of the city and heads west toward Kentucky Route 595, which continues to Round Hill and Kirksville. State Route 1156 heads northeast and connects with State Route 169 at Valley View. State Route 1986 runs northeast of Richmond to Union City and Doylesville. The U.S. 25 connector, signed as S.R. 2872 and commonly known as Duncannon Lane, connects I-75 to U.S. 25 south of the city. State Route 2881 connects at State Route 52 at Caleast, runs through southern Richmond, and heads south to Berea.

Air
Central Kentucky Regional Airport is a public airport located in Madison County between Richmond and Berea. It consists of a 5,001 by 100 ft asphalt runway.

Bus
Foothills Express, operated by the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, provides the Richmond Transit Service bus service within Richmond, the Big E Transit Service on the EKU campus, Madison County Connector service to Berea, and local and intercity demand-responsive transport.

Notable people

 * Daniel Boone (November 2, 1734 – September 26, 1820), born in Birdsboro, PA, he was an American pioneer who established Fort Boonesborough, in Madison County Kentucky along the Kentucky River
 * Kit Carson, pioneer frontiersman, born near Richmond in Madison County, Kentucky, but raised in Franklin, Missouri
 * Brutus J. Clay II, son of Cassius M. Clay and Minister to Switzerland
 * Cassius Marcellus Clay, planter, abolitionist and politician; Minister to Spain and Russia, a founder of the Republican Party
 * Earle Combs, New York Yankees player, Baseball Hall of Fame member; longtime resident of the area
 * David R. Francis, Mayor of St. Louis, Governor of Missouri and U.S. Secretary of the Interior; born in Richmond
 * Odon Guitar, brigadier general in the Union Missouri State Militia in the American Civil War
 * Leigh Ann Hester of the Kentucky Army National Guard, first woman in United States military history to be cited for valor in close quarters combat, for action near Salman Pak, Iraq on March 20, 2005; she is the first woman to receive the Silver Star Medal for valor in combat
 * Keen Johnson, editor of the Richmond Daily Register (1925–39); Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky (1935–39); Governor of Kentucky (1939–43); Undersecretary of Labor (1946–47); longtime resident of the area
 * James B. McCreary, United States Senator and two-term Governor of Kentucky
 * Samuel Freeman Miller, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
 * Fiddlin' Doc Roberts (April 26, 1897 – August 4, 1978), old-time bluegrass fiddler
 * Jimmy Stokley (October 18, 1943 – August 13, 1985), lead singer, co-founder and member of the band Exile
 * Samuel Hanson Stone, Kentucky politician, born near Richmond
 * William J. Stone, Governor of Missouri, born near Richmond
 * Montez Sweat, NFL Defensive End (2019-)
 * Ken Upchurch, member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from Wayne County; born in Richmond in 1969
 * Larry Warford, NFL offensive lineman (1991-)
 * John Reid Wolfskill, California pioneer

title: Richmond, Kentucky


text:
Salyersville, Kentucky

Salyersville is a home rule-class city on the Licking River in Magoffin County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is the seat of its county. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,591, down from 1,883 in 2010.

Early history
After an attempt at the first settlement in 1794, the hill overlooking the bend of the Licking River just downriver from the present town was fortified and settled c. 1800 by Archibald Prater, Ebenezer Hanna, and others. Originally known as "Prater's Fort", the community had become "Licking Station" by the time of its first post office in 1839.

In 1849, the post office was moved to the community at site of the present city and renamed "Adamsville" after local landowner Uncle William Adams. In addition to his farmland, Adams operated a hotel, a gristmill, a tannery and a blacksmith at the new location.

In 1860, Magoffin County was formed from parts of the surrounding Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan counties. Billy Adams donated land for the platting and establishment of a new county seat, and the community was renamed "Salyersville" in gratitude to State Rep. Samuel Salyer, who sponsored the bill creating the new county. The post office changed the following year.

During the Civil War, Salyersville fell on hard times. Because of its location in the Upper South and its history of settlement by migrants and farmers from Virginia, some residents sided with the Confederacy, despite the general lack of slaves in the area. In 1864, Union forces defeated a Confederate raiding force in the Battle of Salyersville.

Adams gave more land to the city in 1871 for the construction of a proper courthouse. It was completed in 1890 and stood for 67 years before burning to the ground in 1957.

20th century
Salyersville's first high school, the Magoffin County Institute, was founded in 1908 by A.C. Harlowe.

The Great Depression hit Salyersville hard, since such a high percentage of Salyersville's citizens were laborers or farmers, who saw prices for crops fall from 40 to 60%. Nearby mining and logging operations also closed or limited production when demand for their products fell sharply. In 1939, the Licking River crested over 25 ft, flooding most of downtown Salyersville and causing extensive property damage. In 1963, the Bert T. Combs Mountain Parkway was completed, stretching west 76 mi from Salyersville to intersect with Interstate 64 at a point just east of Winchester. It enabled more tourists to visit the area, and heritage tourism began to help Salyersville develop a changed economy. The first annual Magoffin County Founder's Day Festival was held in 1978.

In the winter of 1997, as part of Kentucky's elk restoration project, Salyersville became one of the locations selected for the release of elk into the wilderness area of its mountains.

21st century
In 2002, the second Magoffin County court house (erected in 1960) was demolished. In its place, a new Justice Center was constructed, which opened in spring 2004. The new Justice Center's architecture pays tribute to Magoffin County's original courthouse.

On March 2, 2012, Salyersville was hit by a tornado which caused extensive damage to many businesses and many homes. There were no deaths reported. The tornado was reported an EF3. Kentucky governor Steve Beshear visited Salyersville on March 3 and toured the eastern part of the state after the tornado outbreak.

Geography
Salyersville is in central Magoffin County at 37°44'53" north, 83°3'47" west (37.748171, -83.062984), in the valley of the Licking River, where it is joined from the northeast by the State Road Fork and from the southeast by the Burning Fork. The Licking River is a direct tributary of the Ohio River, joining it at Covington, Kentucky.

U.S. Route 460 passes through the center of Salyersville as Parkway Drive, South Church Street, and West Maple Street. US 460 leads northwest (downriver) 22 mi to West Liberty and east 19 mi to Paintsville. Kentucky Route 7 passes through downtown Salyersville with US 460 but leads southeast 36 mi to Wayland. Kentucky Route 40 runs northeast out of Salyersville and also leads to Paintsville, reaching it in 18 mi.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city of Salyersville has a total area of 2.49 sqmi, of which 0.02 sqmi, or 0.96%, are water.

Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate System describes the weather as humid subtropical, and uses the abbreviation Cfa.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,604 people, 646 households, and 414 families residing in the city. The population density was 758.1 PD/sqmi. There were 710 housing units at an average density of 335.6 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.69% White, 0.06% African American, and 0.25% Native American. 0.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 646 households, out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.4% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,042, and the median income for a family was $23,393. Males had a median income of $26,534 versus $20,188 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,881. About 35.7% of families and 40.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 56.4% of those under the age of 18 and 34.3% of those 65 and older.

Economy
Major employers included the manufacturing company Joy Mining Machinery, which closed its Salyersville plant in 2015. Major employers now include Logan Machinery, which opened in 2016, hiring around 70 people from the area. Coal mining was once a major employer in Salyersville; however, the last mine in Magoffin County, U.S. Coal, shut down in 2019. Most of Salyersville's economic income is sourced out of town, in nearby areas, such as Georgetown, and Lexington, by the likes of tradesman. The biggest contributor to the workforce in the city is the school system.

Cultural events and fairs

 * Founder's Day - an annual county festival for the people of Magoffin County. It attracts those who have roots in eastern Kentucky and others who are interested in the genealogy and history of the area. A different family surname is celebrated each year as part of the festival. The festival offers young people opportunities to enter contests and win prize money for excelling in academic subjects such as math, spelling, essay writing, and art. Pageants are held for young people from age 1-day to age 14 for boys and girls and for young women from age 17 to age 26. A parade, drama & fashion shows, pet shows, clogging, other dance exhibitions, and specialty acts are just a few of the festivities that are part of Founder's Day.

 * Street Dance - a public square dance held each year in downtown Salyersville. The intersection surrounding the downtown courthouse is blocked off for the event which lasts well into the night.
 * Independence Day Festival - Independence Day celebration with a parade and pageants.

Museums
Pioneer Village - a complex of 15 original log cabins located near downtown Salyersville that have been restored and preserved through the efforts of the Magoffin County Historical Society. Together the cabins form a living history museum, where staff create displays and demonstrations of early crafts. The cabins in Pioneer Village often date back to the early 19th century. Donated cabins are disassembled with care, the logs numbered and cleaned, and they are transported and reassembled in the Pioneer Village.

Monuments
Several marble monuments are located downtown near the Pioneer Village cabins, including the "Founder's Pyramid", a surname marker, a county marker, a Civil War memorial, and a memorial soldier's bell. The George "Golden Hawk Sizemore" grave and monument sits at the Mouth of Oakly Cemetery, and the Tip Top coal camp marker sits at the head of the creek.

Historical markers

 * Civil War Action - This marker, located near Puncheon Creek in Salyersville, states: "On mission to clear area of CSA forces, Col. Geo. W. Gallup with USA troops repulsed Confederate attack led by Lt. Colonel E. F. Clay at Paintsville April 13, 1864, and pursued enemy to this point. Union men attacked next day. Clay was mortally wounded: CSA suffered 60 casualties and 60 men, 200 horses, 400 saddles, 300 small-arms taken. USA sustained only slight losses."
 * County Named, 1860 - This marker, located in downtown Salyersville, describes the biography of Gov. Beriah Magoffin, the county namesake.
 * First Settlement - This marker at the eastern Salyersville city limits describes the founding of the town by European Americans.
 * Ivy Point Skirmishes - This marker on Ivy Point Hill tells of skirmishes during the Civil War.
 * Reuben Patrick Grave - This marker notes a Civil War action by Patrick, who also served as a Kentucky state legislator, 1863–1867.
 * Wm. "Uncle Billie" Adams - This marker in the downtown tells a short biography of one of the founders.

Parks
Ramey Memorial Park - offers picnic shelters, picnic tables, a playground, a walking track, basketball courts, tennis courts, and baseball fields as well as a swimming pool (open during the summer). The park has access to a steel bridge that crosses the Licking River, connecting the park to the historic Pioneer Village and a monument commemorating veterans of war from Magoffin County.

Education
Salyersville's public schools are operated by the Magoffin County Board of Education. Public schools in the city include Magoffin County High School (mascot: the Hornets), Herald Whitaker Middle School, North Magoffin Elementary, Salyersville Elementary School, and South Magoffin Elementary.

The Magoffin County Career and Technical Center teaches students tradesman skills in the fields of welding, electrical work, carpentry, law enforcement, agriculture, and medical services.

Salyersville has a lending library, the Magoffin County Public Library.

Media
The local weekly newspapers in Salyersville include The Salyersville Independent and the Trading Post, mostly for advertising. Founded in 1921, The Salyersville Independent circulates over 4,000 copies every Thursday. It is currently owned and published by Ritt Mortimer.

Cable service in Salyersville is provided by Rick Howard Cable, Frank Howard Cable and Foothills Cooperative. Through these companies, Salyersville is provided with standard and premium cable TV service, high-speed Internet access and telephone service. Frank Howard Cable and Rick Howard Cable offer local programming via MCTV (Magoffin County Television) and MCSTV (Magoffin County School TV), a channel dedicated to local school programming. MCTV carries a daily local news media program "Your News Today."

"Your News Today" is a nightly local news broadcast that airs on Howard's Cable and Foothills Communication. It was started in 1998 by Ritt Mortimer.

Salyersville's radio stations include the local WRLV Pure Country 106.5. Stations of surrounding counties can also be heard, such as Prestonsburg's WQHY (FM) 95.5, Paintsville's WKLW (FM) 94.7, and West Liberty's Kick 102.9.

Notable people

 * John Blanton, American politician born in Salyersville
 * Jimmy Flynt, co-founder of Hustler magazine
 * Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler magazine
 * Rebecca Lynn Howard, country singer-songwriter
 * Buell Kazee, bluegrass singer, minister

title: Salyersville, Kentucky


text:
Bradfordsville, Kentucky

Bradfordsville is a home rule-class city in Marion County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 270 at the time of the 2020 census.

History
The community at the site was first known as Centerville from its supposed location at the center of the state. (Having since gained the Jackson Purchase, the present geographic center of the state remains nearby at Cowherd Road and McCarty Lane on Ky. 429 northwest of Lebanon. ) The settlement was renamed Bradford's Mill after Peter Bradford's combined saw- and gristmill at the site; this became "Bradfordsville" after the establishment of a post office in 1834.

Geography
Bradfordsville is located in southeastern Marion County at 37.49528°N, -85.14833°W (37.495328, -85.148452). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.27 sqmi, all land. Bradfordsville lies in the Rolling Fork Valley, just east of the point where the North Rolling Fork and the Big South Fork converge to form the Rolling Fork proper. The Rolling Fork is a northwest-flowing tributary of the Salt River, which joins the Ohio River a few miles downstream. Bradfordsville is mostly surrounded by rugged hills, with the Muldraugh Hill escarpment rising to the south.

Bradfordsville is concentrated around the intersection of Kentucky Route 337 (Main Street) and Kentucky Route 49 (Liberty Road). The former leads northeast 9 mi to Gravel Switch and the Perryville area and southwest 12 mi to Mannsville, while the latter leads southeast 20 mi to Liberty and northwest 9 mi to Lebanon, the Marion county seat.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 304 people, 133 households, and 75 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,068.3 PD/sqmi. There were 150 housing units at an average density of 527.1 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.04% White, 1.32% from other races, and 1.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.32% of the population.

There were 133 households, out of which 29.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 42.9% were non-families. 37.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.7% under the age of 18, 10.9% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $16,125, and the median income for a family was $21,250. Males had a median income of $22,917 versus $17,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,222. About 22.1% of families and 26.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.3% of those under the age of eighteen and 17.9% of those 65 or over.

Notable people

 * U. M. Rose, Arkansas lawyer

title: Bradfordsville, Kentucky


text:
Lebanon, Kentucky

Lebanon is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Marion County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,274 at the 2020 census, up from 5,539 in 2010. Lebanon is located in central Kentucky, 63 mi southeast of Louisville. A national cemetery is nearby.

History
Prior to the establishment of the city now known as Lebanon, the town of Georgetown, north of Lexington, was also named "Lebanon" during its first few years of establishment. It was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington.

Present-day Lebanon was established in 1814 and named for the Biblical Lebanon because of its abundant cedar trees. The founding community traces back to the Hardin's Creek Meeting House, built by Presbyterians from Virginia. It was incorporated as a city on January 28, 1815, and became the county seat of Marion County in 1835. Because of its style, architecture, and businesses, Lebanon had the reputation of being Kentucky's Philadelphia and was considered for the site of the state capitol.

In the 19th century, Lebanon was one of the stops along the National Turnpike from Maysville to Nashville. In 1819, Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson met here after having crossed paths on their journeys. Many of its brick homes date from the antebellum period, including Hollyhill and Myrtledene (now a bed and breakfast). Much of Lebanon's downtown business district was recently placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A branch of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad was built to Lebanon in 1857, but growth of the town was halted by the Civil War. Three battles were fought nearby, and control over the railroad branch passed between Union and Confederate hands several times. After the death of his brother Tom during a local battle, Confederate John Hunt Morgan's cavalry burned the railroad depot, a hotel, and several residences on July 5, 1863, during the Battle of Lebanon.

Lebanon's Historic Homes and Landmarks Tour is also part of the Kentucky Civil War Heritage Trail and includes 24 listings. On the Civil War Discovery Trail, three landmarks stand out. The Commissary Building, which is the old Sunnyside Dispensary Building, was in place during the Civil War and supplied dry goods and food stuffs to the Union garrison in the town. The Shuck building, which is now Henning's Restaurant, was the office of General George H. Thomas, when he gathered an army of several thousand to go to Mill Springs to defend the Cumberland Valley. Myrtledene was where General John Hunt Morgan rode his horse in the house and started up the stairs. General Morgan used the property as his headquarters while he was in Lebanon. On the southern limits of Lebanon is the National Cemetery, where many of the Union soldiers who fell in the 1862 Battle of Perryville were laid to rest. The cemetery is the site of many military funerals and hosts annual Memorial Day celebrations.

The town rebounded after the war and became a trade center, but declined as railroads became less important to commerce in the 1900s. The tracks were abandoned, then eventually removed by CSX Transportation in the mid-1980s.

In the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s, Lebanon was known as an entertainment hotspot, as nationally known acts appeared at The Plantation, Club Cherry, Club 68, and the Golden Horseshoe nightclubs. The clubs hosted famous acts such as Ike and Tina Turner, Nat King Cole, Jerry Lee Lewis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Steppenwolf, The Platters, the Amazing Rhythm Aces, Otis Redding, Jimi Hendrix, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, Jackie Wilson, The Supremes, Ray Charles, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Sam and Dave, Wilson Pickett, B.B. King, Percy Sledge, Bobby Blue Bland and Count Basie.

Geography
Lebanon is located in central Marion County at 37.57056°N, -85.25639°W (37.570623, -85.256263). It is approximately 28 mi west of Danville and 18 mi north of Campbellsville. It is located at the junction of U.S. Route 68 and Kentucky Routes 55, 52, and 49. Ky. 84 intersects Ky. 49 and 52 just west of town.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.4 sqmi, of which 0.04 sqmi, or 0.55%, are water. Hardins Creek runs through the southern part of the city, flowing northwest to the Beech Fork, part of the Rolling Fork and Salt River watershed leading to the Ohio River.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,718 people, 2,332 households, and 1,476 families residing in the city. The population density was 1296.6 /sqmi. There were 2,555 housing units at an average density of 579.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 77.88% White, 19.92% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.47% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.03% of the population.

There were 2,332 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.5% were married couples living together, 20.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.7% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 21.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,860, and the median income for a family was $26,552. Males had a median income of $25,889 versus $18,680 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,311. About 26.7% of families and 30.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.8% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education
All areas in Marion County are in the Marion County School District. The district's comprehensive high school is Marion County High School.

Lebanon has a lending library, the Marion County Public Library.

School sports
In 1993, the Marion County High School Boys' basketball team won the KHSAA Boy's State Championship.

In 2013, the Marion County High School women's basketball team won the KHSAA Girl's State Championship. Makayla Epps also won the Herald-Leader trophy for Most Valuable Player in the game. The women's team also had an undefeated season in 2013, going 39–0. They are one of three teams in KHSAA to have an undefeated season.

In 2016, Joe Keith Bickett published "The Origins of the Cornbread Mafia"

In 2017, the Marion County High School boys baseball team made it to the semi-finals for the first time in school history.

Culture
Lebanon is renowned for its Ham Days Festival and Tractor Show which is held during the last weekend of September. In 1969, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce hosted the first of the Ham Days.

Economy
Diageo built a $130 million distillery in Lebanon in 2020, the distillery has 30 full-time employees.

Portrayal in media
A silent documentary, Our Day, was directed by Wallace Kelly in 1938, about a day in the life of the Kelly family in Lebanon.

Call of the Wildman, an American reality television series that airs on the Animal Planet network, films near Lebanon.

Notable people

 * Ernie "Turtleman" Brown, reality TV star of Call of the Wildman on Animal Planet
 * Walter Noble Burns, Western fiction writer
 * Frank Chelf, congressman from Kentucky; 1945–1967
 * George Elder, Major League Baseball player
 * John Grim, Major League Baseball player
 * Jimmy Higdon, Kentucky state senator since 2009; state representative, 2003–2009; native of Lebanon
 * J. Proctor Knott, congressman from Kentucky; 29th governor of Kentucky, 1883–1887
 * Thomas A. Spragens, former president of Centre College, Danville, Kentucky (1957–1981)
 * Sam B. Thomas, Democrat who served as member of the Kentucky House of Representatives from District 24, 1972–1986
 * James E. Whitlock, Democrat who represented the 29th District in the Kentucky House, 1962–1967

title: Lebanon, Kentucky


text:
Loretto, Kentucky

Loretto is a home rule-class city in Marion County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 723 at the 2020 census.

It is best known as the home of the Maker's Mark bourbon distillery.

History
The city takes its name from the Sisters of Loretto, a Catholic congregation founded in 1812 at nearby St. Mary. The sisters themselves were named for Loreto in Italy, the site of the Basilica della Santa Casa which supposedly contains the original home of the Virgin Mary.

The sisters began a school at the site to educate the frontier children. By 1833, the community was large enough for its own post office. It was formally incorporated in 1866.

The Maker's Mark distillery in Loretto is rooted in a distillery established by Charles Burks in the early 19th century, and drastically expanded by his descendants in the late 1880s. The distillery was purchased by Bill Samuels in 1953, and the brand was renamed "Maker's Mark". The distillery, located 3 mi east of Loretto, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Its prominent barrel warehouses are concentrated in the western part of Loretto.

Geography
Loretto is located in northwestern Marion County at 37.63556°N, -85.38667°W (37.635576, -85.386601). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.2 sqmi, of which 0.03 sqmi, or 1.02%, are water. The city is concentrated around the intersection of Kentucky Route 52 and Kentucky Route 49, 10 mi northwest of Lebanon, 13 mi southwest of Springfield, and 15 mi south of Bardstown.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 623 people, 252 households, and 172 families residing in the city. The population density was 177.2 /sqmi. There were 269 housing units at an average density of 76.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.52% White, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.16% of the population.

There were 252 households, out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.01.

24.7% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.0% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 24.7% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,000, and the median income for a family was $34,792. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $20,972 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,854. About 10.8% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

title: Loretto, Kentucky


text:
Raywick, Kentucky

Raywick is a home rule-class city in Marion County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 155 at the 2020 census.

History
The name "Raywick" is a compound of the names of two pioneer families, Ray and Wickliffe. Two members of these families, Loyd Ray and Nancy Wickliffe, married in 1811. A post office has been in operation at Raywick since 1833. The city incorporated in 1838.

Geography
Raywick is located in western Marion County at 37.56056°N, -85.42972°W (37.560472, −85.429675). The city is situated along the Rolling Fork, just upstream from the river's confluence with Prather Creek, and 5 mi east of the point where Marion, Nelson, and LaRue counties meet. Raywick is concentrated around the intersection of Kentucky Route 527, which leads north 6 mi to Loretto and south over the Muldraugh Hill escarpment 18 mi to Campbellsville, and Kentucky Route 84, which connects the city with Lebanon 10 mi to the east.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.92 sqmi, of which 0.02 sqmi, or 2.08%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 144 people, 59 households, and 44 families residing in the city. The population density was 194.1 PD/sqmi. There were 67 housing units at an average density of 90.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White.

There were 59 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.1% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 30.6% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,375, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $31,000 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,147. There were 5.6% of families and 12.9% of the population living below the poverty line, including 16.0% of under eighteens and 19.0% of those over 64.

Notable people

 * J. Proctor Knott, governor of Kentucky

title: Raywick, Kentucky


text:
Benton, Kentucky

Benton is a home rule-class city and the county seat of Marshall County, Kentucky, United States. The current mayor of this city is Rita Dotson. The population was 4,756 at the 2020 census.

History
Benton was founded in 1842 by John Bearden and Francis H. Clayton. The town was named for Thomas Hart Benton, a senator from Missouri. Benton was then incorporated in 1845.

In 1908, Benton drove its African American residents out of town, becoming a sundown town along with the rest of Marshall County.

On January 23, 2018, a mass shooting occurred at Marshall County High School, near Benton, resulting in 19 injuries and 2 fatalities.

On December 10, 2021, the town was hit by the 2021 Western Kentucky Tornado.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 3.9 sqmi, all land. Benton lies in the center of the county encompassing the hills just south and west of Clarks River. Benton is the county seat of Marshall county, in the far western region of west Kentucky known as the Jackson purchase.

Demographics
As of the 2010 Census, there were 4,349 people, 1,809 households, and 1,154 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,007.4 PD/sqmi. There were 2,032 housing units at an average density of 470.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White (96.4% non-Hispanic), 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 1,809 households, out of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.2% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.84.

The age distribution was 21.5% under 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% who were 65 or older. The median age was 40.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

Based on 2008–2012 estimates from the American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the city was $42,342, and the median income for a family was $62,500. Among full-time workers, males had a median income of $47,895 versus $29,272 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,959. About 4.5% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Culture
Shape note singers gather annually at Benton on the fourth Sunday in May to sing from a tunebook called The Southern Harmony. This event, organized in 1884 and called The Big Singing or Big Singing Day, is the oldest continuous Southern Harmony singing in the United States.

Tater Day
Tater Day was started in 1843 as a celebration of spring, and a time when all of the townsfolk would get together and trade in sweet potato slips, used to grow the plants. It is also the oldest continuous trade day in the United States, in which goods such as guns, 'coon hounds, tobacco, or livestock are swapped or sold. Tater Day brings to town carnival rides, games, a market, a potato eating contest, mule pulls, and a "biggest potato" contest, which attracts large potatoes from across the county. The biggest part of the festival is the parade, which completes one circuit around the town. It includes political floats, Marshall County High School marching band, horses and buggies, clowns, vintage cars, horses, Miss Tater Day, and other things for which Marshall County is known. There is also Junior Miss Tater Day for little girls ages 5 to 12, and Little Mister, Tiny Miss, and Baby Miss Tater day pageants and floats for the younger kids. There is also an annual Tater day derby that is hosted at the dirt track at the Benton City Park.

Education
Benton is part of the Marshall County School District. There are 11 schools in the district, not including the technical school that is incorporated with Marshall County High School, the district's only secondary educational institution. For the 2011 to 2012 school year, there were approximately 4,838 students enrolled in the district.

Benton has a lending library, a branch of the Marshall County Public Library.

title: Benton, Kentucky


text:
Hardin, Kentucky

Hardin is a home rule-class city in Marshall County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 580 at the 2020 census.

History
The Paducah, Tennessee and Alabama Railroad reached the area in 1890. A community grew up around the depot, erected on land purchased from local landowner Hardin D. Irvan. The post office was established on October 31, 1891, but the town was formally incorporated as a city on March 25, 1952.

Geography
Hardin is located in southern Marshall County at 36.76306°N, -88.3°W (36.763063, -88.300105). Kentucky Route 402 (Aurora Highway) passes through the north side of the city, while U.S. Route 641 crosses the western part. US 641 leads north 7 mi to Benton, the county seat, and south 11 mi to Murray. KY 402 leads 9 mi to Aurora and west the same distance to Kentucky Route 58 near Brewers.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Hardin has a total area of 0.7 sqmi, of which 0.002 sqmi, or 0.28%, are water. The city is on the west side of the valley of the Clarks River, a north-flowing tributary of the Tennessee River.

Demographics
As of the 2000 U.S. census, there were 564 people, 257 households, and 155 families residing in the city. The population density was 954.8 PD/sqmi. There were 282 housing units at an average density of 477.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 99.29% White, 0.53% Native American, and 0.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 257 households, out of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 15.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.3% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 16.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 81.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $20,833, and the median income for a family was $25,893. Males had a median income of $24,063 versus $20,694 for females. The per capita income for the city was $11,690. About 20.1% of families and 24.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 37.7% of those under age 18 and 17.0% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Hardin has a lending library, a branch of the Marshall County Public Library.

title: Hardin, Kentucky


text:
Inez, Kentucky

Inez is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Martin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 546 at the 2020 census.

Geography
Inez is located at 37.86639°N, -82.53917°W (37.866431, -82.539058). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 0.7 sqmi, all land.

History
James Ward first settled the area about 1810; originally, it was named Arminta Ward's Bottom. J.M. Stepp renamed it Eden about the time it became the seat of government for Martin County in 1873. As there was already a post office named Eden, Kentucky, the local postmaster was obliged to rename the town on June 23, 1874. The name is usually held to have been derived from that of Inez Frank, daughter of the Louisa, Kentucky postmaster in neighboring Lawrence County.

Lincoln County Feud
The Lincoln County Feud occurred in Lincoln County, West Virginia, during the 1880s. In October 1889, Milt Haley and Green McCoy, two West Virginia fugitives, were captured and subsequently held at the Martin County Jail. A West Virginia posse captured Haley and McCoy and lynched them at Green Shoal near Harts, West Virginia. In March 1995, songwriter and musician John Hartford and historian/author Brandon Kirk visited Inez as part of their research on the feud.

Presidential visit
President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Inez in 1964, landing by helicopter with his party at an abandoned miniature golf course, to promote the War on Poverty. According to a 2014 NPR article, the poverty rate at the time was more than 60 percent.

Economy
Inez is home to several industrial employers primarily focused on the area's robust energy market. A multitude of coal, gas and oil exploration and affiliated services companies operate in the mineral-rich areas in and around Martin County. Outside the city is another major regional employer, the Big Sandy facility of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 466 people, 212 households, and 132 families residing in the city. The population density was 710.5 PD/sqmi. There were 253 housing units at an average density of 385.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.28% White, and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.

There were 212 households, of which 30.7% had children under age 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.7% were non-families. 35.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 24.0% under 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 22.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 or older. The median age was 36. For every 100 females, there were 75.2 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 67.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,875, and the median income for a family was $25,938. Males had a median income of $41,875 versus $17,292 for females. The national median household income was $46,326 in 2006 while the median personal income (including only those above the age of 25) was $32,140. The city's per capita income was $14,183. About 37.0% of families and 35.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 41.7% of those under 18 and 21.4% of those 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure
The United States Postal Service operates the Inez Post Office.

The Federal Bureau of Prisons U.S. Penitentiary, Big Sandy is near Inez, in unincorporated Martin County.

Education
The Martin County School System serves Inez. Sheldon Clark High School is the former area high school, replaced by Martin County High School. Eden Elementary, Warfield Elementary, and Inez Elementary serve grades K-6 and Martin County Middle School (MCMS) grades 7–8. MCMS is also in Warfield.

Inez has a lending library, a branch of the Martin County Public Library.

Notable resident

 * Josey Montana McCoy, actor

title: Inez, Kentucky


text:
Warfield, Kentucky

Warfield is a home rule-class city in Martin County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 264 at the 2020 census.

History
The city of Warfield developed in the early 1850s after a salt works was established by George Rogers Clark Floyd and John Warfield of Virginia. The post office was established on April 15, 1856, and was named after the latter of the two men. Floyd further developed the city as the shipping point for his coal mine, the first to open in future Martin County. Warfield served as the county seat from 1870 to 1873, when it was moved to Inez.

Geography
Warfield is located in eastern Martin County. The town lies along the west bank of Tug Fork, which is the boundary between Kentucky and West Virginia. The town of Kermit, West Virginia, lies across the river to the east. The two cities are connected by a vehicular bridge and an abandoned railroad bridge. Just west of Warfield lies the community of Beauty.

Warfield is concentrated around the intersection of Kentucky Route 40 and Kentucky Route 292. KY 40 leads west 9 mi to Inez and 32 mi to Paintsville. KY 292 runs roughly north to south alongside the Tug Fork: Louisa is 31 mi to the north (downstream), while Williamson, West Virginia, is 20 mi to the southeast (upstream).

According to the United States Census Bureau, Warfield has a total area of 0.84 sqmi, of which 0.01 sqmi, or 1.32%, are water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 284 people, 120 households, and 78 families residing in the city. The population density was 300.1 PD/sqmi. There were 153 housing units at an average density of 161.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.35% of the population.

There were 120 households, out of which 20.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.4% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $21,786, and the median income for a family was $30,000. Males had a median income of $33,125 versus $38,125 for females. The per capita income for the city was $12,208. About 28.9% of families and 35.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 54.4% of those under the age of eighteen and 12.0% of those 65 or over.

title: Warfield, Kentucky