Historic Barbourville

In 1840, “Barboursville,” which carried an “s” in its name in the early years, served a population of 224 with three churches, one school, a courthouse, five stores and groceries, one tavern, three lawyers, two physicians and six mechanical trades.  The city is recognized as the site of the first Civil War skirmish in eastern Kentucky, which took place on September 19, 1861.  It is our goal to pay tribute to our community’s rich heritage.  From our notable Civil War history to our heritage in the state’s early pioneer history, we honor our ancestors for the role they played in our past.