Pineville, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pineville, Kentucky
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Pineville, as seen from atop Pine Mountain
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| Nickname(s):
The Gem City of the Cumberlands
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| Motto(s):
Welcome Home
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Location of Pineville in Bell County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Bell |
| Established | 1781 |
| Incorporated | March 26, 1873 |
| Named for | its local forests |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor-Council |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.49 sq mi (9.03 km2) |
| • Land | 3.37 sq mi (8.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,014 ft (309 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,678 |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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1,630 |
| • Density | 497.48/sq mi (192.07/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
40977
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| Area code(s) | 606 |
| FIPS code | 21-61248 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0500726 |
Pineville is a city in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. It is the main city and government center of its county. In 2010, about 1,732 people lived there.
Pineville is located on a narrow strip of land. This land is between the Cumberland River and Pine Mountain.
Contents
History of Pineville
Pineville is one of the oldest places where people settled in Kentucky. It is located where the Wilderness Road crossed the Cumberland River. The town was first started in 1781 and was called Cumberland Ford. It was part of the land owned by Governor Isaac Shelby.
When Bell County was created in 1867, Cumberland Ford was officially planned out. A local landowner, J.J. Gibson, gave land in 1869. This allowed the town to become the county seat, which means it's where the county government is located. The courthouse was finished in 1871. The town's name was changed to "Pineville" in 1870. It officially became a city in 1873.
An early group of the Sojourner Truth Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) started in Pineville in 1906. This group worked to encourage people to avoid alcohol.
Because Pineville is next to a river, it has had floods. A very bad flood happened on April 4, 1977. A floodwall built in 1952 could not hold back the water. About 200 homes were destroyed or damaged. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers made the floodwall stronger in 1988.
The city's economy depends on the coal mining industry. It also relies on local family-owned businesses and tourism. Many people enjoy visiting Pine Mountain State Resort Park. A popular spot there is "Chained Rock." A group called Main Street Pineville is working to make downtown Pineville look like it did in the past.
Every year, around Memorial Day weekend, Pineville hosts the Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival. This festival is named after the Mountain Laurel flower. This beautiful flower grows naturally on Pine Mountain. The first festival was held in 1931. It was suggested by Annie Walker Burns. She was a descendant of Dr. Thomas Walker, who was one of the first Europeans to explore Kentucky.
Geography and Location
Pineville is in the northern part of Bell County. It is located along the Cumberland River. The river flows directly north of a water gap through Pine Mountain.
Major roads pass through the city. U.S. Route 25E goes through Pineville and meets Kentucky Route 66 downtown. U.S. Route 119 starts near the southern edge of the city, connecting to US 25E.
By US 25E, it is about 12 miles (19 km) south to Middlesboro. This is also the north entrance of the Cumberland Gap tunnel. It is about 33 miles (53 km) northwest to Corbin and Interstate 75. US 119 goes about 30 miles (48 km) northeast to Harlan.
The U.S. Census Bureau states that Pineville covers a total area of about 3.49 square miles (9.03 km2). Most of this area, about 3.37 square miles (8.74 km2), is land. The rest, about 0.11 square miles (0.29 km2), is water.
Education in Pineville
Pineville has its own school system called Pineville Independent Schools. The schools in this district include:
- Pineville High School
- Pineville Middle School
- Pineville Elementary School
Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College has a campus in Pineville. This is the only college-level school right in the city. However, Clear Creek Baptist Bible College is also in Pineville's zip code, located just south of the city.
Pineville also has a public library. It is a part of the Bell County Public Library District.
Population Information
As of the census in 2000, there were 2,093 people living in Pineville. There were 871 households and 518 families. The population density was about 1,452 people per square mile (561 per km2).
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 83 | — | |
| 1900 | 2,072 | — | |
| 1910 | 2,161 | 4.3% | |
| 1920 | 2,908 | 34.6% | |
| 1930 | 3,567 | 22.7% | |
| 1940 | 3,882 | 8.8% | |
| 1950 | 3,890 | 0.2% | |
| 1960 | 3,181 | −18.2% | |
| 1970 | 2,817 | −11.4% | |
| 1980 | 2,599 | −7.7% | |
| 1990 | 2,198 | −15.4% | |
| 2000 | 2,093 | −4.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,732 | −17.2% | |
| 2020 | 1,678 | −3.1% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 1,630 | −5.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The average household had about 2.17 people. The average family had about 2.90 people.
The population was spread out by age. About 22.5% were under 18 years old. About 19.8% were 65 years or older. The average age was 40 years.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival started in 1931. It has been held every year since, except during World War II (1942–1947). The Mountain Laurel is a shrub with many small, pale pink flowers. It grows wild in the mountains of Appalachia. This festival is very important to the traditions and history of the mountains and to the people of Pineville. The 85th Festival was held from May 20–24, 2015.
The Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival includes many fun events. There's a concert, a carnival, and a display of Appalachian crafts. Local people show off their talents. There's also a big Gala Parade and a beauty pageant.
High school senior girls from local schools compete to become the Mountain Laurel Princess. Young women chosen to represent their universities in Kentucky are called Queen Candidates. They are welcomed into the homes of Pineville citizens, showing true Southern hospitality. Throughout the weekend, these young women are secretly judged on how well they show the qualities of a Southern Lady.
On Saturday, after the Parade, a special event called the Coronation takes place. It happens in the Laurel Cove, which is a natural outdoor theater in Pine Mountain State Park. Each Queen candidate bows before the Governor. The audience, dressed in their finest clothes (many wearing hats like those at the Kentucky Derby), claps and admires the beautiful dresses.
Then, after a procession of younger and high school courts, the new Queen is announced. The Governor of Kentucky crowns her with a tiara made of fresh, delicate, pink Mountain Laurels. That night, a "Grand March" happens. The Queens and their escorts elegantly dance together after celebrating their new Kentucky Mountain Laurel Festival Queen.
Climate
The weather in Pineville has hot, humid summers. The winters are usually mild to cool. This type of weather is known as a humid subtropical climate.
Notable People
- Dale Ann Bradley, a singer and musician nominated for a Grammy award
- George Blowers, a banker
- John Hoskins, a rear admiral in the United States Navy
- Rodney McMullen, a businessman and the CEO of The Kroger Company
- Reid Patterson, a swimmer
- Joseph Chilton Pearce, an author and lecturer
- Brian O’Brien, a radio host
See also
In Spanish: Pineville (Kentucky) para niños
