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Coordinates: 37°7′4″N 82°49′16″W / 37.11778°N 82.82111°W / 37.11778; -82.82111
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
'''Whitesburg''' is a city located in [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher County]], [[Kentucky]]. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 1,600. It is the [[county seat]] of [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher County]]{{GR|6}}.
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name = Whitesburg, Kentucky
| settlement_type = [[List of cities in Kentucky|City]]
| nickname =
| motto =
<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline = Downtown_Whitesburg_Kentucky.JPG
| imagesize =
| image_caption = Downtown Whitesburg
| image_flag =
| image_seal =
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map = File:Letcher County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Whitesburg Highlighted 2182776.svg
| mapsize = 250px
| map_caption = Location in Letcher County, Kentucky
| image_map1 =
| mapsize1 =
| map_caption1 =
<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name = United States
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kentucky]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher]]
| government_footnotes =
| government_type = [[Mayor-council government|Mayor-Council]]
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Tiffany Craft
| leader_title1 = [[City Council]]
| leader_name1 = {{unbulleted list|Margaret Hammonds|Sheila Shortt|Derek Barto|Mike Jackson|Larry Everidge|Wendy Little}}
| established_title = Incorporated
| established_date = March 6, 1876
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref = Imperial
| area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 = 8.30
| area_land_km2 = 8.11
| area_water_km2 = 0.18
| area_total_sq_mi = 3.20
| area_land_sq_mi = 3.13
| area_water_sq_mi = 0.07
<!-- Population
| census yr = 2020-->
| population_total = 1773
| pop_est_as_of = 2022
| population_est = 1711 {{loss}}
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
<!-- General information -->
| timezone = Eastern
| utc_offset = -5
| timezone_DST = EDT
| utc_offset_DST = -4
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 357
| elevation_ft = 1171
| coordinates = {{coord|37|7|4|N|82|49|16|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code = 41858
| area_code = [[Area code 606|606]]
| blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info = 21-82776
| blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info = 0506678
| website = {{URL|https://cityofwhitesburgky.com/}}
| footnotes =
| pop_est_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref> }}

'''Whitesburg''' is a [[List of cities in Kentucky|home rule-class city]] in and the [[county seat]] of [[Letcher County, Kentucky|Letcher County]], [[Kentucky]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=2011-06-07|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The population was at the [[2020 United States Census|2020 census]]<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?1,773g=1600000US2182776&tid=DECENNIALSF12010.P1| title=Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Whitesburg city, Kentucky| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau| website=data.census.gov| access-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref> and an estimated 1,711 in 2022.<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=December 20, 2019}}</ref> It was named for [[John White (Kentucky politician)|John D. White]], a state politician and [[Speaker of the United States House]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://cityofwhitesburgky.com/about/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=City of Whitesburg |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
Whitesburg was founded in 1842 on land offered by Stephen Hiram Hogg to build the county seat.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Rennick |first=Robert |date=2002-03-01 |title=Letcher County - Post Offices |url=https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/kentucky_county_histories/394 |journal=County Histories of Kentucky}}</ref> Previously called Summit city, it was renamed for John D. White who had introduced Letcher county's enactment bill in the [[State legislature (United States)|State legislature]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=From Tiny Summit City to a Thriving County Seat |url=https://usgenwebsites.org/KYLetcher/articles/summit_city.htm |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=usgenwebsites.org}}</ref>


==Geography==
==Geography==
Whitesburg is located in central Letcher County at {{Coord|37|7|4|N|82|49|16|W|type:city}} (37.117867, -82.821068)<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> in the valley of the North Fork of the [[Kentucky River]], {{convert|5|mi|0|spell=in}} west of the border of Kentucky and [[Virginia]].
[[Image:KYMap-doton-Whitesburg.PNG|right|Location of Whitesburg, Kentucky]]
Whitesburg is located at 37°7'4" North, 82°49'16" West (37.117867, -82.821068){{GR|1}}.


[[Kentucky Route 15]] passes through the city, leading northwest {{convert|31|mi}} to [[Hazard, Kentucky|Hazard]]. It has its eastern terminus in the east part of Whitesburg at [[U.S. Route 119]]. US 119 leads northeast {{convert|11|mi}} to [[U.S. Route 23]] at [[Jenkins, Kentucky|Jenkins]] and southwest over [[Pine Mountain (Appalachian Mountains)|Pine Mountain]] {{convert|20|mi}} to [[Cumberland, Kentucky|Cumberland]].
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 8.0 [[square kilometer|km²]] (3.1 [[square mile|mi²]]). 8.0 km² (3.1 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.


According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Whitesburg has a total area of {{convert|8.3|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|8.1|sqkm|order=flip}} are land and {{convert|0.2|sqkm|order=flip|1}}, or 2.23%, are water.<ref name=Gazetteer>{{cite web| url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_21.txt| title=U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Kentucky| website=U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division| access-date=February 12, 2020}}</ref>
==Demographics==
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 1,600 people, 642 households, and 412 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 199.3/km² (516.9/mi²). There were 733 housing units at an average density of 91.3/km² (236.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.19% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.62% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.00% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.00% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.06% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.56% of the population were [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.


===Climate===
There were 642 households out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82.
Whitesburg is located within a climatic transition zone between the [[humid subtropical climate]] and the [[humid continental climate]] zones. Summers are hot, humid and wet. July is the warmest month, with an average high of {{convert|86|F}} and an average low of {{convert|63|F}}. Winters are generally cool to cold, with occasional snowfall. January is the coldest month, with an average high of {{convert|44|F}} and an average low of {{convert|21|F}}. May receives the most precipitation with an average of {{convert|5.83|in}}. The highest recorded temperature was {{convert|97|F}} in 1998, and the lowest recorded temperature was {{convert|-15|F}} in 1996.<ref name=climate/>


{{Weather box
In the city the population was spread out with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.
|location = Whitesburg, Kentucky
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 72
|Feb record high F = 76
|Mar record high F = 84
|Apr record high F = 88
|May record high F = 91
|Jun record high F = 95
|Jul record high F = 96
|Aug record high F = 96
|Sep record high F = 97
|Oct record high F = 91
|Nov record high F = 83
|Dec record high F = 75
|year record high F = 97
|Jan high F = 44
|Feb high F = 49
|Mar high F = 58
|Apr high F = 67
|May high F = 75
|Jun high F = 82
|Jul high F = 85
|Aug high F = 85
|Sep high F = 80
|Oct high F = 69
|Nov high F = 59
|Dec high F = 47
|year high F=
|Jan low F = 24
|Feb low F = 27
|Mar low F = 33
|Apr low F = 41
|May low F = 51
|Jun low F = 60
|Jul low F = 64
|Aug low F = 63
|Sep low F = 55
|Oct low F = 43
|Nov low F = 34
|Dec low F = 27
|year low F=
|Jan record low F = −12
|Feb record low F = −15
|Mar record low F = −2
|Apr record low F = 19
|May record low F = 30
|Jun record low F = 42
|Jul record low F = 51
|Aug record low F = 48
|Sep record low F = 36
|Oct record low F = 24
|Nov record low F = 11
|Dec record low F = 1
|year record low F= −15
|Jan rain inch = 4.61
|Feb rain inch = 4.34
|Mar rain inch = 4.95
|Apr rain inch = 4.65
|May rain inch = 5.83
|Jun rain inch = 3.86
|Jul rain inch = 4.31
|Aug rain inch = 3.89
|Sep rain inch = 3.95
|Oct rain inch = 3.45
|Nov rain inch = 4.00
|Dec rain inch = 4.52
|year rain inch=52.36
|source 1 = [[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]].<ref name=climate>{{cite web |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/USKY1458
|title=MONTHLY AVERAGES for Whitesburg, KY|publisher=[[The Weather Channel (United States)|The Weather Channel]]|access-date=2010-04-23}}</ref>
|date=August 2010
}}


==Demographics==
The median income for a household in the city was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $35,714. Males had a median income of $31,339 versus $25,478 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,202. 23.1% of the population and 22.0% of families were below the [[poverty line]]. 27.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.9% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
{{US Census population
| 1900 = 194
| 1910 = 321
| 1920 = 706
| 1930 = 1804
| 1940 = 1616
| 1950 = 1393
| 1960 = 1774
| 1970 = 1137
| 1980 = 1525
| 1990 = 1636
| 2000 = 1600
| 2010 = 2139
| 2020 = 1773
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 1711
| estref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}


According to the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 1,600 people, 642 households, and 412 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|516.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 733 housing units at an average density of {{convert|236.8|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.19% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.62% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 2.62% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.50% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.56% of the population.
==Culture==
Whitesburg is home to [[Appalshop]], a multi-disciplinary arts and education center founded in [[1969]] which produces original films, video, theater, music and spoken-word recordings, radio, photography, multimedia, and books. WMMT 88.7 FM (Mountain Community Radio), also located in Whitesburg, was founded by Appalshop in [[1985]].


There were 642 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82.
Whitesburg's major newspaper is the Mountain Eagle. The Mountain Eagle has been directed by the Gish family of Letcher county for almost 50 years.


In the city the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.
Whitesburg is known for its ubiquitous cut stone. The city was home to a community of Italian stone masons who moved there with the coming of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1911-1912. Those masons left their mark on the city and the surrounding county of Letcher. The city includes numerous ashlar stone retaining walls, foundations and bridge abutments, as well as several buildings covered entirely in sandstone pulled from the Kentucky River.


As a result of a survey taken subsequent to the census it was established that the city's population was made up of 3,100 residents. 1,241 households were left out of the census because neither the residents of Whitesburg's Housing Project nor residents of the Letcher Manor Nursing Home were counted in the census. When these facilities are included in the population count the number of city residents climbs to 3,100.<ref>[http://www.themountaineagle.com/news/2008/0402/News/005.html] (2 April 2008),
One of its best-known features is an arched stone bridge built in 1938 across the North Fork of the Kentucky River. The downtown historic district includes many buildings built between 1914 and 1925, a time of incredible expansion in the town. By 1921, all of the pre-Civil War buildings had been razed to make way for new, brick-and-stone edifices. Among the oldest commercial buildings are the former Lewis Wholesale building, built in 1914, which is now used as City Hall; the Fields Building, built 1911-1914, which now houses a restaurant, bookstore and law offices; and the Daniel Boone Hotel, a fine brick building with stone foundations and pressed metal cornice thought to have been built about 1915. It includes several distinctive residences such as the Judge Ira Fields home (1897); the cut stone Palumbo House, and Italian villa-inspired house built by master stone mason John Palumbo; the stately Salyers House Bed and Breakfast, built for Confederate States of America Col. [[Logan Henry Neal Salyer]] in the early 20th century; and a Dutch Colonial style home ordered from the Sears Modern Home Catalog and delivered to its owner, in pieces, by railcar in 1928.
Bill would move Whitesburg from fifth- to fourth-class city'', Whitesburg, Kentucky, The Mountain Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.''</ref>


The median income for a household in the city was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $35,714. Males had a median income of $31,339 versus $25,478 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $20,202. About 22.0% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.
Whitesburg's streets were paved for the first time in 1924 and some of those original concrete streets are still in use. Broadway, one of those streets, is marked with the hoofprints of a cow, the footprints of chickens and of a barefoot child who ran across the street while the concrete was still wet.


==Education==
==Famous residents==
Whitesburg has a [[public library|lending library]], a branch of the Letcher County Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 January 2019 | title=Kentucky Public Library Directory | publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives | access-date=5 June 2019}}</ref>
*[[Harry M. Caudill]] (author, historian, professor, lawyer, legislator, and environmentalist, 1922-1990)
*[[Emery L. Frazier]] (Mayor, state representative, Chief Clerk of the U.S. Senate, Secretary of the U.S. Senate, 1896-1973)


Letcher County Public Schools is based in Whitesburg. The district operates seven schools, one high school, one alternative education center, and an area technology center. Whitesburg has two schools located within the city limits, Whitesburg Elementary and Whitesburg Middle, as well as [[Letcher County Central High School]], which is located just outside the city limits in the neighboring community of [[Ermine, Kentucky|Ermine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Letcher County Public Schools |url=https://www.letcher.kyschools.us/ |access-date=2023-09-05 |website=www.letcher.kyschools.us |language=en}}</ref>
==Events==
*Seedtime on the Cumberland - Festival of arts and crafts held annually in early June. The festival is centered at Appalshop and focuses on traditional music, art and crafts. It includes old-time music concerts and jam sessions.
*The Mountain Heritage Festival - Fall Festival held annually the last weekend of September. The festival features talent shows, concerts, arts and crafts, food booths, a parade, and window display competition.
*The Heritage 2KX Car Show - Custom and antique car show held annually in early September. The event attracts hundreds of show cars from around the region, and features a police-escorted drag through Whitesburg.
*Country Music Highway Road Rally - This antique car rally begins at Greenup, Kentucky, traverses the length of U.S. 23 in Kentucky, and ends at Whitesburg. Held during the peak color season in October, the rally draws sightseers from around the nation. Every county along the route is the home of at least one country music artist.
*Cowan Creek Mountain Music School - A set of week-long intensive classes in banjo, guitar, fiddle, square dance, storytelling and singing. The school is held in late June at the community of Cowan and in Whitesburg. It is open to children and adults.


==Media==
==Humor and Odd Facts==
Whitesburg's major newspaper is ''[[The Mountain Eagle (newspaper)|The Mountain Eagle]]''. Founded by Nehemiah Webb in 1907, the weekly paper has been owned by the Gish family of Letcher County since 1956. The ''Eagle'' has won numerous awards for its coverage of [[strip mining]] and its environmental effects, as well as [[education]], and [[political corruption]].<ref>[http://www.kentucky.com/news/state/story/600788.html E. Ky. newsman Tom Gish dead at 82] ''[[Lexington Herald-Leader]]''. Retrieved on November 21, 2008.</ref>
Whitesburg is known to the people living there, most prominently people 12-21 as somewhere with nothing to do. Whitesburg at one time had a two screen movie theater, however it was closed and purchased by a church.


Whitesburg's oldest continuously operating radio station, [[WTCW]]-AM/[[WXKQ-FM]], is located {{convert|5|mi|0}} outside the city near the community of [[Mayking, Kentucky|Mayking]]. The license holder is T.C.W. Broadcasting, Inc. and is one of 18 radio stations owned and operated by Forcht Broadcasting, a [[Forcht Group of Kentucky]] company. The public radio station licensed for Whitesburg, [[WMMT (FM)|WMMT]], is located at [[Appalshop]] in downtown Whitesburg.
Whitesburg has long been a bird sanctuary. Visitors will notice that there are several roadsigns around town featuring the silhouette of a mother duck with a string of ducklings behind her, along with the legend "Duck Xing." The signs were commissioned by local radio host Jim Webb, who at the time hosted a show under the alias "The Ducktor." Webb appeared in newspaper photos publicizing the placement of the signs while wearing a rubber duck mask.


==Arts and culture==
Whitesburg's oldest continuously operating radio station, WTCW-AM/WXKQ-FM, is actually located several miles outside the city near the community of Thornton. Radio station WIFX-FM, which is licensed for Jenkins, Kentucky, (13 miles away) and Pound, Virginia, (about 20 miles away) is located in downtown Whitesburg. The public radio station licensed for Whitesburg, WMMT-FM, is located at Appalshop in downtown Whitesburg.
{{update section|date=July 2022}}
[[File:Whitesburg-methodistchurch.jpg|thumb|right|240px|[[Facade]] of the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Whitesburg (built in 1934 by Italian immigrant stonemasons), featuring the outline of a map of Italy]]


Whitesburg is the home of [[Appalshop]], a nonprofit aimed at helping people tell stories and educate others about Appalachia.
Local legend has it that billiards great Minnesota once played an all-night game of pool at what was then the Southern Hotel in Whitesburg, a 1940s era bootleg, gambling and prostitution joint.


* Country Music Highway Road Rally - This antique car rally begins at [[Greenup, Kentucky]], traverses the length of U.S. 23 in Kentucky, and ends at Whitesburg. Held during the [[autumn leaf color|peak color]] season in October, the rally draws sightseers from around the nation. Every county along the route is the home of at least one country music artist.
The tongue-in-cheek reason often given as the origin of the city's name is that surveyors laying out the town in 1842 showed up during a heavy snow storm and therefore named the town Whitesburg. It was actually named for state Rep. Daugherty White of Clay County, who championed the creation of the new county. The town of Summit City was selected as the county seat and renamed for White.
* Cowan Creek Mountain Music School - A set of week-long intensive classes in banjo, guitar, fiddle, square dance, storytelling and singing. The school is held in late June at the community of Cowan and in Whitesburg. It is open to children and adults.
* Letcher County Marching Invitational - On the last Saturday of October, the Letcher County Central High School Marching Band hosts a day of competition for marching bands from southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and northeast Tennessee. The contest has brought in groups from five states.
* Riverside Days, formally Jenkins Days, is a three-day event held at Riverside Park in Whitesburg, next to the hospital. The festival includes country headliners, sponsored by Jenkins Festival Committee, Inc. and Coca-Cola; Mountain Outreach Idol; local performers; bluegrass; Gospel; Rock; Country; food and craft booths; rides; a mechanical bull; bungee jump; prizes and fun.
* The Mountain Heritage Festival - Fall festival held annually the last weekend of September. The festival features talent shows, concerts, arts and crafts, food booths, a parade, and window display competition.


==Notable people==
The city's longtime tourism slogan, now adopted by the county, is The Heart of the Hills. The slogan was coined by [[Emery L. Frazier]] and is a reference to the novel of the same name by [[John Fox Jr.]], which was written about the area around Whitesburg.
* [[M. Katherine Banks|Margaret Katherine Banks]], 26th president of [[Texas A&M University]] and the former dean of the [[Texas A&M University College of Engineering|College of Engineering]]
* [[Harry M. Caudill]], author, historian, professor, lawyer, legislator, and environmentalist, 1922–1990
* [[Jessamyn Duke]], Former martial arts fighter and Former professional wrestler who competed in [[WWE]] from 2018 to 2021
* [[Emery L. Frazier]], mayor, state representative, Chief Clerk of the [[U.S. Senate]], Secretary of the U.S. Senate, 1896–1973
* [[Tom Gish]], publisher of ''The Mountain Eagle''
* [[Goebel Ritter]], player for the [[New York Knicks]] (1948–1951), and assistant superintendent of Whitesburg schools
* [[Lee Sexton]], traditional Appalachian banjo musician
* [[Robb Webb]], voice artist

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.appalshop.org/ Appalshop official site]
* [http://www.cityofwhitesburg.com/ City of Whitesburg official website]
* [https://www.letcher.kyschools.us/ Letcher County Public Schools]
*[http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0405/feature8/index.html/ National Geographic ZipUSA article]
* [http://www.whitesburgkentucky.com/ ''The Kentuckian News'' (Letcher County Edition)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905142302/http://www.whitesburgkentucky.com/ |date=2007-09-05 }}
* [http://www.themountaineagle.com/ ''The Mountain Eagle'' ]


{{Letcher County, Kentucky}}
{{Mapit-US-cityscale|37.117867|-82.821068}}
{{Eastern Mountain Coal Fields (Kentucky)}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky county seats}}


{{authority control}}
[[Category:Letcher County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]


[[io:Whitesburg, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Whitesburg, Kentucky|*]]
[[Category:Cities in Letcher County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:County seats in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Appalachian culture in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]

Latest revision as of 15:52, 26 December 2024

Whitesburg, Kentucky
City
Downtown Whitesburg
Downtown Whitesburg
Location in Letcher County, Kentucky
Location in Letcher County, Kentucky
Coordinates: 37°7′4″N 82°49′16″W / 37.11778°N 82.82111°W / 37.11778; -82.82111
CountryUnited States
StateKentucky
CountyLetcher
IncorporatedMarch 6, 1876
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorTiffany Craft
 • City Council
  • Margaret Hammonds
  • Sheila Shortt
  • Derek Barto
  • Mike Jackson
  • Larry Everidge
  • Wendy Little
Area
[1]
 • Total
3.20 sq mi (8.30 km2)
 • Land3.13 sq mi (8.11 km2)
 • Water0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation
1,171 ft (357 m)
Population
 • Total
1,773
 • Estimate 
(2022)[2]
1,711 Decrease
 • Density550/sq mi (210/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
41858
Area code606
FIPS code21-82776
GNIS feature ID0506678
Websitecityofwhitesburgky.com

Whitesburg is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Letcher County, Kentucky, United States.[3] The population was at the 2020 census[4] and an estimated 1,711 in 2022.[5] It was named for John D. White, a state politician and Speaker of the United States House.[6]

History

[edit]

Whitesburg was founded in 1842 on land offered by Stephen Hiram Hogg to build the county seat.[7] Previously called Summit city, it was renamed for John D. White who had introduced Letcher county's enactment bill in the State legislature.[8]

Geography

[edit]

Whitesburg is located in central Letcher County at 37°7′4″N 82°49′16″W / 37.11778°N 82.82111°W / 37.11778; -82.82111 (37.117867, -82.821068)[9] in the valley of the North Fork of the Kentucky River, five miles (8 km) west of the border of Kentucky and Virginia.

Kentucky Route 15 passes through the city, leading northwest 31 miles (50 km) to Hazard. It has its eastern terminus in the east part of Whitesburg at U.S. Route 119. US 119 leads northeast 11 miles (18 km) to U.S. Route 23 at Jenkins and southwest over Pine Mountain 20 miles (32 km) to Cumberland.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Whitesburg has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km2), of which 3.1 square miles (8.1 km2) are land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km2), or 2.23%, are water.[10]

Climate

[edit]

Whitesburg is located within a climatic transition zone between the humid subtropical climate and the humid continental climate zones. Summers are hot, humid and wet. July is the warmest month, with an average high of 86 °F (30 °C) and an average low of 63 °F (17 °C). Winters are generally cool to cold, with occasional snowfall. January is the coldest month, with an average high of 44 °F (7 °C) and an average low of 21 °F (−6 °C). May receives the most precipitation with an average of 5.83 inches (148 mm). The highest recorded temperature was 97 °F (36 °C) in 1998, and the lowest recorded temperature was −15 °F (−26 °C) in 1996.[11]

Climate data for Whitesburg, Kentucky
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 72
(22) 		76
(24) 		84
(29) 		88
(31) 		91
(33) 		95
(35) 		96
(36) 		96
(36) 		97
(36) 		91
(33) 		83
(28) 		75
(24) 		97
(36)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 44
(7) 		49
(9) 		58
(14) 		67
(19) 		75
(24) 		82
(28) 		85
(29) 		85
(29) 		80
(27) 		69
(21) 		59
(15) 		47
(8) 		67
(19)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 24
(−4) 		27
(−3) 		33
(1) 		41
(5) 		51
(11) 		60
(16) 		64
(18) 		63
(17) 		55
(13) 		43
(6) 		34
(1) 		27
(−3) 		44
(7)
Record low °F (°C) −12
(−24) 		−15
(−26) 		−2
(−19) 		19
(−7) 		30
(−1) 		42
(6) 		51
(11) 		48
(9) 		36
(2) 		24
(−4) 		11
(−12) 		1
(−17) 		−15
(−26)
Average rainfall inches (mm) 4.61
(117) 		4.34
(110) 		4.95
(126) 		4.65
(118) 		5.83
(148) 		3.86
(98) 		4.31
(109) 		3.89
(99) 		3.95
(100) 		3.45
(88) 		4.00
(102) 		4.52
(115) 		52.36
(1,330)
Source: The Weather Channel.[11]

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1900194—
191032165.5%
1920706119.9%
19301,804155.5%
19401,616−10.4%
19501,393−13.8%
19601,77427.4%
19701,137−35.9%
19801,52534.1%
19901,6367.3%
20001,600−2.2%
20102,13933.7%
20201,773−17.1%
2022 (est.)1,711[12]−3.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

According to the census[14] of 2000, there were 1,600 people, 642 households, and 412 families residing in the city. The population density was 516.9 inhabitants per square mile (199.6/km2). There were 733 housing units at an average density of 236.8 per square mile (91.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.19% White, 0.62% African American, 2.62% Asian, 0.06% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 642 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 12.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.8% were non-families. 34.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.82.

In the city the population was spread out, with 18.6% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 24.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 45 years. For every 100 females, there were 79.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 76.1 males.

As a result of a survey taken subsequent to the census it was established that the city's population was made up of 3,100 residents. 1,241 households were left out of the census because neither the residents of Whitesburg's Housing Project nor residents of the Letcher Manor Nursing Home were counted in the census. When these facilities are included in the population count the number of city residents climbs to 3,100.[15]

The median income for a household in the city was $28,750, and the median income for a family was $35,714. Males had a median income of $31,339 versus $25,478 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,202. About 22.0% of families and 23.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

[edit]

Whitesburg has a lending library, a branch of the Letcher County Library.[16]

Letcher County Public Schools is based in Whitesburg. The district operates seven schools, one high school, one alternative education center, and an area technology center. Whitesburg has two schools located within the city limits, Whitesburg Elementary and Whitesburg Middle, as well as Letcher County Central High School, which is located just outside the city limits in the neighboring community of Ermine.[17]

Media

[edit]

Whitesburg's major newspaper is The Mountain Eagle. Founded by Nehemiah Webb in 1907, the weekly paper has been owned by the Gish family of Letcher County since 1956. The Eagle has won numerous awards for its coverage of strip mining and its environmental effects, as well as education, and political corruption.[18]

Whitesburg's oldest continuously operating radio station, WTCW-AM/WXKQ-FM, is located 5 miles (8 km) outside the city near the community of Mayking. The license holder is T.C.W. Broadcasting, Inc. and is one of 18 radio stations owned and operated by Forcht Broadcasting, a Forcht Group of Kentucky company. The public radio station licensed for Whitesburg, WMMT, is located at Appalshop in downtown Whitesburg.

Arts and culture

[edit]
Facade of the Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church in Whitesburg (built in 1934 by Italian immigrant stonemasons), featuring the outline of a map of Italy

Whitesburg is the home of Appalshop, a nonprofit aimed at helping people tell stories and educate others about Appalachia.

  • Country Music Highway Road Rally - This antique car rally begins at Greenup, Kentucky, traverses the length of U.S. 23 in Kentucky, and ends at Whitesburg. Held during the peak color season in October, the rally draws sightseers from around the nation. Every county along the route is the home of at least one country music artist.
  • Cowan Creek Mountain Music School - A set of week-long intensive classes in banjo, guitar, fiddle, square dance, storytelling and singing. The school is held in late June at the community of Cowan and in Whitesburg. It is open to children and adults.
  • Letcher County Marching Invitational - On the last Saturday of October, the Letcher County Central High School Marching Band hosts a day of competition for marching bands from southeast Kentucky, southwest Virginia, and northeast Tennessee. The contest has brought in groups from five states.
  • Riverside Days, formally Jenkins Days, is a three-day event held at Riverside Park in Whitesburg, next to the hospital. The festival includes country headliners, sponsored by Jenkins Festival Committee, Inc. and Coca-Cola; Mountain Outreach Idol; local performers; bluegrass; Gospel; Rock; Country; food and craft booths; rides; a mechanical bull; bungee jump; prizes and fun.
  • The Mountain Heritage Festival - Fall festival held annually the last weekend of September. The festival features talent shows, concerts, arts and crafts, food booths, a parade, and window display competition.

Notable people

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Whitesburg city, Kentucky". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  5. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  6. ^ "About". City of Whitesburg. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  7. ^ Rennick, Robert (March 1, 2002). "Letcher County - Post Offices". County Histories of Kentucky.
  8. ^ "From Tiny Summit City to a Thriving County Seat". usgenwebsites.org. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  9. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "U.S. Gazetteer Files: 2019: Places: Kentucky". U.S. Census Bureau Geography Division. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "MONTHLY AVERAGES for Whitesburg, KY". The Weather Channel. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  12. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ [1] (2 April 2008), Bill would move Whitesburg from fifth- to fourth-class city, Whitesburg, Kentucky, The Mountain Eagle. Retrieved on 2008-05-13.
  16. ^ "Kentucky Public Library Directory". Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved June 5, 2019.
  17. ^ "Letcher County Public Schools". www.letcher.kyschools.us. Retrieved September 5, 2023.
  18. ^ E. Ky. newsman Tom Gish dead at 82 Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved on November 21, 2008.
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