Breathitt County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Breathitt County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. It was formed in 1839.The population was 13,878 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat
is Jackson, Kentucky
. The county is named for John Breathitt
who was Governor of Kentucky
from 1832 to 1834. Breathitt County is a prohibition or dry county
.
The North Fork of the Kentucky River
and the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River
pass through the county as the main water sources.
During World War I, Breathitt county attained national prominence by filling its quota of service men by volunteers. No men had to be drafted from Breathitt, the only county in U.S. with this record. During the war 3,912 men registered, 405 volunteered; of 324 called, 281 were inducted and 43 rejected. Kentuckians ranked among highest in nation in physical fitness. Currently, a Kentucky Historical Marker sits beside the old county court house lawn commemorating this achievement and is headlined, "Breathitt Volunteers". It is Kentucky Historical Marker #904. Military veterans of Breathitt county are also honored with a stone walls memorial. The memorial is erected beside the old county courthouse in downtown Jackson, Kentucky. The stone walls list all military service rendered by its citizens since the formation of Breathitt county. Kentucky state highway 15 in Breathitt county, is honorary named Breathitt county veterans highway by resolution of the county court.
Breathitt county shares a colorful political history also with political struggles between early leaders of the county. One such incident occurred at a polling place where a shoot-out had cost one or two voters their lives. The Democratic Party in Breathitt county has had influence in the county for a century, but in recent decades the Republican Party has had made a standing to voters of the county. US first ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Lady Bird Johnson visited Breathitt county. Mrs. Roosevelt dedicated the old Breathitt county high school in Jackson. And Mrs. Johnson dedicated the current Breathitt high school gym on her tour of the county alone with the late Marie R. Turner, who was superintendent of the Breathitt county schools and political activist in Breathitt county. Women in Breathitt county have been more active in politics in recent memory with the late superintendent Marie R. Turner being a democratic activist. Betty Cornett, the first woman county judge-executive when her husband county judge-executive Robert E. Cornett died. Helen Combs was the first woman county magistrate from district #3 when her husband, magistrate J. W. Combs died and Combs ran for her own term. Rose Wolfe, became the first woman mayor for the city of Jackson, Kentucky. The late Seldon Short was a Republican activist for Breathitt County. The preacher from Vancleve, just north from Jackson; brought issues of Breathitt county to his party in the state and national levels of the Republican Party. The late Lester Smith, a former mayor of Jackson was a republician activist. The late democratic county judge-executive Nim Henson served more terms as county judge in memory and died in office. The local nursing home in Jackson is named in his honor. Many more political leaders of Breathitt county can be learned by visiting the Breathitt county museum in Jackson or the county court clerks office at the old courthouse in Jackson.
The first people of Breathitt county were Cherokee Indians living in the mountains in Breathitt county. The first "white" settlers were Irish, English, French or German decent. Relatives of Some of the notable last names that helped settle the county still exist, Allen, Bowling, Back, Cockrell, Combs, Campbell, Clemons, Deaton, Fletcher, Fugate, Haddix, Hargis, Hudson, Herald, Henson, Johnson, Miller, McIntosh, Neace, Noble, Napier, Russell, Sizemore, Smith, Turner, White.
Breathitt county was a remote area with mountain trails and many creeks. Many people traveled by horseback and there were many little communities with country stores because depending where one lived, going to the county seat of Jackson could be a day trip or two. When state highway 15 came to Breathitt county, and county roads were graded by bulldozers; travel in the county began to be easier. By the 1970's, many parts of Breathitt county had roads where a car could travel up and down a mountain hollow or valley side.
Timber and coal mining have been the two most natural resources that brought jobs and grew the county's economy. Timber industry was vibrant until the late 1960's when coal mining began to bring in more money and more men went to coal mining. After the late 1980's, the coal mining boom in Breathitt county slowed to where coal mining families looked other places to find work. Currently, both industries are still sluggish in the Breathitt county area.
Breathitt county has many mountain walking trails and a Elk viewing area. The city of Jackson has a small park in town called the Lester Smith Park and the other two parks in Jackson is the Kiwanis Park and Douthitt Park. At Crockettsville (near Buckhorn) is a yearly festival that raises money for a children's home. Country singers from all around come and sing. The Honey festival in downtown Jackson is on labor day weekend in September. And a new fair called the Breathitt Heritage Fair is in October with Douthitt Park hosting booths and singing events.
was 32 /sqmi. There were 6,812 housing units at an average density of 14 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White
, 0.39% Black
or African American
, 0.09% Native American
, 0.29% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.08% from other races
, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 6,170 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $19,155, and the median income for a family was $23,721. Males had a median income of $26,208 versus $20,613 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $11,044. About 28.10% of families and 33.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.90% of those under age 18 and 26.80% of those age 65 or over.
.
and throughout the county.
on the campus of Breathitt County High School
. The school is operated by the state of Kentucky
. While most of the funding comes from the state, much of the equipment is purchased with federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act
funds, which are aimed at advancing technical education.
The focus of the school is that of technical education. The Breathitt ATC offers the following technical programs:
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. It was formed in 1839.The population was 13,878 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Jackson, Kentucky
Jackson, Kentucky
There were 1,005 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had...
. The county is named for John Breathitt
John Breathitt
John Breathitt was the 11th Governor of Kentucky. He was the first Democrat to hold this office and was the second Kentucky governor to die in office. Shortly after his death, Breathitt County, Kentucky was created and named in his honor.Early in life, Breathitt was appointed a deputy surveyor in...
who was Governor of Kentucky
Governor of Kentucky
The Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky is the head of the executive branch of government in the U.S. state of Kentucky. Fifty-six men and one woman have served as Governor of Kentucky. The governor's term is four years in length; since 1992, incumbents have been able to seek re-election once...
from 1832 to 1834. Breathitt County is a prohibition or dry county
Dry county
A dry county is a county in the United States whose government forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages. Some prohibit off-premises sale, some prohibit on-premises sale, and some prohibit both. Hundreds of dry counties exist across the United States, almost all of them in the South...
.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 495.29 square miles (1,282.8 km²), of which 495.19 square miles (1,282.5 km²) (or 99.98%) is land and 0.09 square mile (0.2330989299 km²) (or 0.02%) is water.The North Fork of the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
and the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River
Kentucky River
The Kentucky River is a tributary of the Ohio River, long, in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The river and its tributaries drain much of the central region of the state, with its upper course passing through the coal-mining regions of the Cumberland Mountains, and its lower course passing through the...
pass through the county as the main water sources.
Adjacent counties
- Wolfe CountyWolfe County, KentuckyWolfe County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 7,065. Its county seat is Campton. The county is named for Nathaniel Wolfe.- Geography :...
(northwest) - Magoffin CountyMagoffin County, KentuckyMagoffin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky which was formed from parts of Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan Counties and officially created on 22 February 1860. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. Its county seat is Salyersville...
(northeast) - Knott CountyKnott County, KentuckyKnott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1884. As of 2000, the population was 17,649. Its county seat is Hindman. The county is named for James Proctor Knott, Governor of Kentucky . It is a prohibition or dry county. Notable inhabitants include U.S....
(east) - Perry CountyPerry County, KentuckyPerry County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 29,390. Its county seat is Hazard. The county is named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval hero in the War of 1812.- Geography :...
(southeast) - Owsley CountyOwsley County, KentuckyOwsley County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 4,858. Its county seat is Booneville. The county is named for William Owsley, the Governor of Kentucky from 1844 to 1848. It is a prohibition or dry county...
(southwest) - Lee CountyLee County, KentuckyLee County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 7,916. Its county seat is Beattyville. It is a prohibition or dry county.-History:...
(west)
History
Breathitt County was formed on February 8, 1839 from portions of Clay County, Estill County and Perry County. It was named after Governor John Breathitt.During World War I, Breathitt county attained national prominence by filling its quota of service men by volunteers. No men had to be drafted from Breathitt, the only county in U.S. with this record. During the war 3,912 men registered, 405 volunteered; of 324 called, 281 were inducted and 43 rejected. Kentuckians ranked among highest in nation in physical fitness. Currently, a Kentucky Historical Marker sits beside the old county court house lawn commemorating this achievement and is headlined, "Breathitt Volunteers". It is Kentucky Historical Marker #904. Military veterans of Breathitt county are also honored with a stone walls memorial. The memorial is erected beside the old county courthouse in downtown Jackson, Kentucky. The stone walls list all military service rendered by its citizens since the formation of Breathitt county. Kentucky state highway 15 in Breathitt county, is honorary named Breathitt county veterans highway by resolution of the county court.
Breathitt county shares a colorful political history also with political struggles between early leaders of the county. One such incident occurred at a polling place where a shoot-out had cost one or two voters their lives. The Democratic Party in Breathitt county has had influence in the county for a century, but in recent decades the Republican Party has had made a standing to voters of the county. US first ladies Eleanor Roosevelt and Lady Bird Johnson visited Breathitt county. Mrs. Roosevelt dedicated the old Breathitt county high school in Jackson. And Mrs. Johnson dedicated the current Breathitt high school gym on her tour of the county alone with the late Marie R. Turner, who was superintendent of the Breathitt county schools and political activist in Breathitt county. Women in Breathitt county have been more active in politics in recent memory with the late superintendent Marie R. Turner being a democratic activist. Betty Cornett, the first woman county judge-executive when her husband county judge-executive Robert E. Cornett died. Helen Combs was the first woman county magistrate from district #3 when her husband, magistrate J. W. Combs died and Combs ran for her own term. Rose Wolfe, became the first woman mayor for the city of Jackson, Kentucky. The late Seldon Short was a Republican activist for Breathitt County. The preacher from Vancleve, just north from Jackson; brought issues of Breathitt county to his party in the state and national levels of the Republican Party. The late Lester Smith, a former mayor of Jackson was a republician activist. The late democratic county judge-executive Nim Henson served more terms as county judge in memory and died in office. The local nursing home in Jackson is named in his honor. Many more political leaders of Breathitt county can be learned by visiting the Breathitt county museum in Jackson or the county court clerks office at the old courthouse in Jackson.
The first people of Breathitt county were Cherokee Indians living in the mountains in Breathitt county. The first "white" settlers were Irish, English, French or German decent. Relatives of Some of the notable last names that helped settle the county still exist, Allen, Bowling, Back, Cockrell, Combs, Campbell, Clemons, Deaton, Fletcher, Fugate, Haddix, Hargis, Hudson, Herald, Henson, Johnson, Miller, McIntosh, Neace, Noble, Napier, Russell, Sizemore, Smith, Turner, White.
Breathitt county was a remote area with mountain trails and many creeks. Many people traveled by horseback and there were many little communities with country stores because depending where one lived, going to the county seat of Jackson could be a day trip or two. When state highway 15 came to Breathitt county, and county roads were graded by bulldozers; travel in the county began to be easier. By the 1970's, many parts of Breathitt county had roads where a car could travel up and down a mountain hollow or valley side.
Timber and coal mining have been the two most natural resources that brought jobs and grew the county's economy. Timber industry was vibrant until the late 1960's when coal mining began to bring in more money and more men went to coal mining. After the late 1980's, the coal mining boom in Breathitt county slowed to where coal mining families looked other places to find work. Currently, both industries are still sluggish in the Breathitt county area.
Breathitt county has many mountain walking trails and a Elk viewing area. The city of Jackson has a small park in town called the Lester Smith Park and the other two parks in Jackson is the Kiwanis Park and Douthitt Park. At Crockettsville (near Buckhorn) is a yearly festival that raises money for a children's home. Country singers from all around come and sing. The Honey festival in downtown Jackson is on labor day weekend in September. And a new fair called the Breathitt Heritage Fair is in October with Douthitt Park hosting booths and singing events.
Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 16,100 people, 6,170 households, and 4,541 families residing in the county. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 32 /sqmi. There were 6,812 housing units at an average density of 14 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 98.69% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.39% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.09% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.29% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.66% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 6,170 households, out of which 34.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.40% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out, with 25.50% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $19,155, and the median income for a family was $23,721. Males had a median income of $26,208 versus $20,613 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $11,044. About 28.10% of families and 33.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 42.90% of those under age 18 and 26.80% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- JacksonJackson, KentuckyThere were 1,005 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had...
- Vancleve
- Lost Creek
- Hayes Branch
- Riverside
- Watts
- Ned
- Hardshell
- Fugates Fork
- Caney
- Nix Branch
- Noble
- Clayhole
- Flintville
- Evanston
- Wilstacy
- Rousseau
- Noctor
- Quicksand
- South Fork
- Rose Branch
- Smith Branch
- Canoe
- Turners Creek
- Crockettsville
- Chenowee
- Elkatawa
- War Creek
- Morris Fork
- Bays
Jackson Independent Schools
Jackson Independent Schools is a school district that educates students inside and outside the city limits of Jackson, KentuckyJackson, Kentucky
There were 1,005 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had...
.
- Jackson City SchoolJackson City SchoolJackson City School is a school serving grades pre-k through 12. It is located in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, in Jackson, Kentucky -- the county seat for Breathitt County. The current superintendent is Tim Spencer, and the principal is Jim Yount. The school Mascot is the Tiger and Lady Tiger...
- a single K-12 facility.
Breathitt County Schools
Breathitt County Schools is another school district with an array of schools within the city limits of Jackson, KentuckyJackson, Kentucky
There were 1,005 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had...
and throughout the county.
- Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary School – Jackson, Kentucky
- Highland-Turner Elementary School – Booneville – Turkey, Kentucky
- Rousseau Elementary School – Rousseau, Kentucky
- Marie Roberts-Caney Elementary School – Lost Creek, Kentucky
- Eugene Sebastian Middle School – Jackson, Kentucky
- Breathitt County High SchoolBreathitt County High SchoolBreathitt County High School is a public high school located in the city of Jackson, Kentucky nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. The 2009-2010 enrollment is around 520 students. The school colors are royal blue and white...
– Jackson, Kentucky
Private Schools
- Mount Carmel School – Vancleve, Kentucky
- Oakdale Christian Academy – Jackson, Kentucky
- Riverside Christian School – Lost Creek, Kentucky
Higher Education
- Lees CollegeLees CollegeLees College was founded on January 8, 1883 by Rev. John J. Dickey in Jackson, Kentucky. It started out as Jackson Academy and was an elementary and high school for the children of Breathitt County by Rev...
Campus of Hazard Community and Technical CollegeHazard Community and Technical CollegeHazard Community and Technical College , located in Hazard, Kentucky, is one of 16 two-year, open-admissions colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System . Established as Hazard Community College in 1968, the name of the college was changed to Hazard Community and Technical...
(part of the Kentucky Community and Technical College SystemKentucky Community and Technical College SystemHeadquartered in Versailles, Kentucky, the Kentucky Community and Technical College System comprises 16 colleges with over 68 campuses. Programs offered include associate degrees, pre-baccalaureate education to transfer to a public 4-year institution; adult education, continuing and developmental...
) – Jackson, Kentucky - Kentucky Mountain Bible CollegeKentucky Mountain Bible CollegeKentucky Mountain Bible College is a four-year evangelical Christian holiness Bible college in Vancleve, Kentucky. The college is located near the town of Jackson in Breathitt County, and is a ministry of the Kentucky Mountain Holiness Association.Over 70% of KMBC's graduates have entered diverse...
– Vancleve, Kentucky - Morehead State UniversityMorehead State UniversityMorehead State University is a public, co-educational university located in Morehead, Kentucky, United States in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan County, midway between Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. The 2012 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S...
Jackson campus – Jackson, Kentucky
Breathitt Area Technology Center
The Breathitt Area Technology Center serves both the Jackson Independent and the Breathitt County school districts. The school is located in Jackson, KentuckyJackson, Kentucky
There were 1,005 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had...
on the campus of Breathitt County High School
Breathitt County High School
Breathitt County High School is a public high school located in the city of Jackson, Kentucky nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. The 2009-2010 enrollment is around 520 students. The school colors are royal blue and white...
. The school is operated by the state of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. While most of the funding comes from the state, much of the equipment is purchased with federal Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act
Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act
The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act was first authorized by the federal government in 1984 and reauthorized in 1998. Named for Carl D. Perkins, the act aims to increase the quality of technical education within the United States in order to help the economy.On August 12, 2006...
funds, which are aimed at advancing technical education.
The focus of the school is that of technical education. The Breathitt ATC offers the following technical programs:
- Automotive Technology
- Construction Technology
- Electrical Technology
- Health Sciences
- Office Technology
UK Robinson Station
The community of Quicksand is the location for the University of Kentucky Robinson Station. This agriculture research facility is a pivotal asset in Breathitt County, furthering the scientific studies in the areas of agriculture and forestry.See also
- Dry counties
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Breathitt County, Kentucky
- Robinson ForestRobinson ForestThe Robinson Forest is a research, education, and extension forest operated by the Department of Forestry at the University of Kentucky. The forest covers in Breathitt, Knott and Perry counties in Kentucky's Cumberland Plateau region. The main block of Robinson Forest contains roughly 10,000...
External links
- The Kentucky Highlands Project
- The Breathitt County Museum - Provides a wealth of information on the rich history of Breathitt County.
- UK Robinson Station
- http://www.breathittcounty.com - hundreds of photos and articles about Breathitt County