Community Spotlight

Community Snapshots

Hopkins County is home to more than 45,000 people, making it the 23rd most populous of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The county was formed in 1807. It is named for General Samuel Hopkins, an officer in both the American Revolutionary War and War of 1812. He later became a Kentucky legislator and United States Congressman. After the 19th-century railroad boom, villages in the area incorporated into the cities that now make up Hopkins County. Madisonville is the county seat; however, many of the smaller towns surrounding it still have much to offer in history and recreation to both residents and visitors alike.

Dawson Springs Population 2,452

Founded in 1874, Dawson was considered a leading health resort – due to its bounty of mineral waters. In 1898, the city adopted “Springs” in its name in recognition of the mineral water wells that drew crowds to the city. The turn of the century was considered a “Golden Era” for the city.

The 150-room New Century Hotel and approximately 50 other hotels and boarding houses were established to accommodate thousands of annual tourists. From 1915-17, The Pittsburgh Pirates held spring training at Riverside Park.

Today, visitors tour the Dawson Springs Museum and Art Center, which houses an art gallery and hosts the Mack Sisk collection of pictures of the early days of Dawson Springs. Visitors can also take a walk on any one of the town’s multiple hiking trails at the Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park.

Earlington Population 1,257

In 1870, the St. Bernard Coal Company founded the City of Earlington. Named for John Baylis Earl, a Madisonville attorney and one of the original commercial coal developers in Western Kentucky. A little after its founding, the Lousiville and Nashville Railroad completed its line from Henderson to Earlington and became the primary hauler in the area.

Now, residents and visitors can enjoy a day at the city park, which has a playground, the Loch Mary Reservoir for fishing and a 500-acre ATV Park beside the waterfront. Nortonville Population 977

Its first post office opened in 1871; however, the city of Nortonville was not incorporated until 1872. Nortonville is named for Eckstein Norton of Russellville. Norton was the president of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad from 1887-1890. He purchased the 2,000 acres of land, which is now Nortonville.

Today, residents and visitors can take in the scenery of Nortonville Lake along High Street, or tour the refurbished Nortonville school, which houses the town’s City Hall, library and museum.

With the 1800’s railroad boom that swept across the county, many cities were formed. White Plains, once known as “Little Prairie,” was a grazing area for buffalo and deer. Until the rail line from Elizabethtown to Paducah came, “Little Prairie” became known as “New White Plains” because it was the logical place to deliver goods to a neighboring community called White Plains in Christian County. Eventually, the “new” was dropped.

Today, White Plains is home to a large community center that hosts monthly educational presentations, a 1.5-mile wooded walking trail and the newly installed Wyatt Whitaker Memorial Basketball Park.

Mortons Gap Population 814

Settled by Thomas and Elizabeth Morton of Clark county, the area was aptly named, “Morton’s Settlement,” before St. Bernard Coal Company of Earlington expanded in the area. As the coal boom happened, the town grew. In 1888, the city was incorporated and embraced the moniker of “Gap,” as it is the midway point between the Peaks of Otter.

Residents and visitors can enjoy the city’s walking trail, which loops around the former elementary school and ends at the city park. Mortons Gap City Park is home to the annual Coalfield Festival — which offers food, live music and shopping each summer.

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Founded in 1869, Hanson was named in honor of Henry B. Hanson, a civil engineer for the Henderson and Nashville Railroad. Shortly after he plotted the town, a passenger and freight depot was installed in the city, and Hanson became a popular shipping center for local farmers. After a devastating fire in 1889, the downtown area was completely rebuilt with one and two-story buildings.

The depot may no longer run, but the city continues to grow. With the additions of the Wal-Mart Supercenter and Ideal Market, the town continued its growth by adding the Love’s truck stop to its business district. Plans are underway to build a new elementary school and should be completed within the next three years. Hanson’s historic district still clings to its smalltown roots by offering several locally-owned shops and diners, and the city’s public gazebo and playground bring joy to many throughout the year.

St. Charles Population 273

Originally called “Woodruff,” after J.I.D Woodruff, who conveyed the tract of land, which was settled in 1872. It was a mining settlement for the St. Bernard Coal Company. The city was incorporated in 1874, and the name was changed to St. Charles for unknown reasons.

Today, St. Charles is a proud small town. It prides itself on taking care of its residents. Residents and visitors can enjoy fishing at the lake on Lake Grove Road or visit the children’s playground on St. Charles Street.

Nebo Population 211

Named after the biblical Mount Nebo, where Moses was given a view of the promised land, Nebo was settled around 1815 by Alfred Townes. By the 1900s, when many in Hopkins County were enjoying the success of the railroad system, Nebo was seven tobacco warehouses and was the second-largest tobacco market in the world. After the town’s single depot closed, its economic boom quieted. Its public school has transitioned and been renovated in recent years. Now, it serves as City Hall. A new play area for the community’s children opened in 2018.