| County Introduction |
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| 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 |
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| Harlan County, Kentucky was formed from Knox County. |
| County Lines Redrawn |
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| 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 Title | Marker Location | Marker Information |
|---|---|---|
| Civil War Routes | 4 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 Burned | Harlan, 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 Mountain | N. 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 Mountain | N. 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, 1819 | Harlan, 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. |
| Lynch | Lynch, 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 School | Lynch, 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 |
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