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Harlan County Kentucky
Harlan County Kentucky Map

 

County Introduction
Harlan county was established in 1819 and named after Maj. Silas Harlan (1752-1782), a pioneer and Salt River settler. He also served with Gen. George Rogers Clark. The county seat is Harlan.



 

County Origins
Harlan County, Kentucky was formed from Knox County.


 

County Lines Redrawn
In 1842, a part of Harlan County was used to form Letcher County.
In 1867, a part of Harlan County was used to form Bell County.
In 1878, a part of Harlan County was used to form Leslie County.

Roadside Historical Markers

Roadside historical markers introduce the history of each Kentucky Highlands County. These markers provide interesting facts about many important events, people and places throughout the Highlands.

Marker TitleMarker LocationMarker Information
Civil War Routes4 mi. S. of Cawood, US 421 This area important passageway for Union and Confederate forces. USA moved along Poor Fork and CSA along Clover Fork of Cumberland River; each route reflected local sentiment. February 1862 USA forces under Brig. Gen. T. T. Garrard, grandson of Ky.'s second governor, camped here. Later CSA troops under Gen. H. Marshall camped here.
Courthouse BurnedHarlan, Courthouse lawn, US 119, 421 Twenty-two Kentucky courthouses were burned during Civil War, nineteen in last fifteen months: twelve by Confederates, eight by guerrillas, two by Union accident. See map on reverse side. The courthouse at Harlan was burned in reprisal for burning of Lee County, Va., courthouse, October, 1863. County records in clerk's office nearby were saved.
Inspiration MountainN. of Harlan, US 119, 421 Little Shepherd Trail, part of setting for: Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Hell for Sartain, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, by John Fox, Jr., famous for eleven novels of Ky. mountains and the Bluegrass, written 1893 to 1919. Born Paris, Ky., 1863. Harvard, 1883. Spanish-American War, 1898. Moved to Big Stone Gap, Va., 1886, had mining business. Died in 1919.
Inspiration MountainN. of Cumberland, US 119 Little Shepherd Trail, part of setting for: Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Hell for Sartain, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, by John Fox, Jr., famous for eleven novels of Ky. mountains and the Bluegrass, written 1893 to 1919. Born Paris, Ky., 1863. Harvard, 1883. Spanish-American War, 1898. Moved to Big Stone Gap, Va., 1886, had mining business. Died in 1919.
County Named, 1819Harlan, Courthouse lawn, US 119, 421 For Major Silas Harlan, born Va., 1752, came to Ky. in 1774. Built Harlan's Station, 7 miles south of Harrodsburg on Salt River, 1778. Commanded spies, 1779, in Illinois campaign of Gen. George R. Clark, who said: "He was one of bravest soldiers that ever fought by my side." Killed, 1782, at the battle of Blue Licks while commanding his detachment. Buried at Blue Licks.
LynchLynch, KY 160 Built by U.S. Steel Corp., 1917-25, this was largest company-owned town in Kentucky through World War II. Crucial need for steel during WW I led to founding of town, site of millions of tons of high-quality coal. With largest coal tipple then in existence, Lynch had first fully electrified coal mine in U.S. Much of the self-contained, model city dismantled in 1960s by U.S. Steel.
Joseph Alexander Matthews (1902-1970)Benham, Main St., near Ky. Coal Mining Museum, KY 160 Principal of the East Benham High School, 1934-60. Matthews taught math and coached ball teams. The students were children of employees of Wisconsin Steel Coal Company. Joseph Matthews and his wife Ruth were leaders in black community and bought food, clothes, and supplies for the needy. Presented by Students, Faculty, and Friends and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission.
Lynch Colored High School - West Main High SchoolLynch, 278 W. Main St., KY 160 This brick facility was built in 1923 by the United States Coal and Coke Co., then leased to Lynch Colored Common Graded School District. Students from Benham and Lynch enrolled in the high school. The first four graduates received their diplomas in 1928. See over. Presented by Lynch Pirates Alumni Association.

 

Historical Items For Sale