Williamsburg, Kentucky facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Quick facts for kids Williamsburg, Kentucky
City

Nickname(s): The 'Burg; Gateway to the Cumberlands
Motto(s): "Feels Like Home"
Location of Williamsburg in Whitley County, Kentucky.
Country	United States
State	Kentucky
County	Whitley
Established	February 5, 1819 (1819-02-05)
Incorporated	March 3, 1851 (1851-03-03)
First meeting of city government	June 4, 1894 (1894-06-04)
Area
• Total	4.28 sq mi (11.08 km²)
• Land	4.17 sq mi (10.80 km²)
• Water	0.11 sq mi (0.28 km²)
Elevation	1,007 ft (307 m)
Population (2020)
• Total	5,326
• Estimate (2022)	5,163
• Density	1,277.52/sq mi (493.21/km²)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	40769
Area code(s)	606
FIPS code	21-83334
GNIS feature ID	2405747
Website	http://www.williamsburgky.com/

Williamsburg is a city in Whitley County, Kentucky, located in the southeastern part of Kentucky, United States. It is the main town of Whitley County. In 2020, about 5,326 people lived here. The city grew along the Cumberland River. It was started in 1818 and got its name from William Whitley.

History of Williamsburg

Williamsburg was first known as Spring Ford. This was because of a nearby place where people could cross the Cumberland River. In 1818, the first meeting for Whitley County was held at Samuel Cox's home. The town was then called Whitley Courthouse.

Later, in 1882, its name changed to Williamsburgh. Then, in 1890, it became Williamsburg, which is its name today.

How Williamsburg Grew

The town first grew because of three fresh water springs. Then, the coal and lumber industries helped it grow even more. A big boost came in 1883 when the L&N railroad arrived. This made it easier for people to move to town and for goods to be sold far away.

In 1886, W. H. Parker became the first mayor of Williamsburg. The first city government made some rules. For example, they made rules against gambling. They also said people couldn't roll hoops on sidewalks.

Schools and Buildings

The Williamsburg school system started in 1909. Many small, one-room schools joined together to form one school district. The first school building burned down in 1926. It was rebuilt and later became part of the University of the Cumberlands. The school district moved to its current spot in 1983.

The county courthouse also burned down in 1931. It was rebuilt and then updated in 1971. In 2011, the courthouse moved to a new building next to the old one.

Where is Williamsburg Located?

Williamsburg is found in the Eastern Kentucky Coalfield and Appalachian Plateau regions. It is located along the I-75 highway, near exits 11 and 15. The city covers about 4.8 square miles (12.4 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.

Fun Places to Visit

Williamsburg has many interesting places to see and things to do.

Kentucky Splash Waterpark

The Kentucky Splash Waterpark is a big family fun center. It has a waterpark, a go-cart track, a miniature golf course, and batting cages. The park opened in 2001. It is the largest family entertainment center in Kentucky. Up to 3,000 people can visit it at one time.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park

Williamsburg is close to Cumberland Falls State Resort Park. This park is home to Cumberland Falls. People sometimes call it the "Little Niagara" or "Niagara of the South." It is famous because it is one of the only places in the Western Hemisphere where you can regularly see a moonbow. A moonbow is like a rainbow, but it is made by moonlight instead of sunlight. You can see it on clear nights when there is a full moon.

The falls are about 68 feet (21 meters) high and 125 feet (38 meters) wide. Lots of water flows over them every second. Trails from the park lead to smaller waterfalls like Angel Falls and Dog Slaughter Falls. The river below the falls is great for families who want to try whitewater rafting or kayaking for the first time.

Big South Fork of the Cumberland River

Williamsburg is also near the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. This river is good for whitewater canoeing and kayaking. It is also home to Yahoo Falls, which are 113 feet (34.8 meters) tall. You can also find the Yahoo Arch nearby.

Local Events

Williamsburg hosts the Sally Gap Bluegrass Festival. This is one of the best bluegrass music festivals in Kentucky. Other events include the Jeep Jamboree, which is an off-road event. There is also the Border Bowl, an annual football game between high school teams from Kentucky and Tennessee.

Religion in Williamsburg

Williamsburg has many churches. The University of the Cumberlands, located in the city, is a private Christian college. It is connected with the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

What People Do for Work

Many people in Williamsburg work for these top employers:

Firestone Industrial Products
Whitley County School System
Williamsburg Plastics
University of The Cumberlands
Southeastern Kentucky Rehabilitation Industries (SEKRI)
Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC)
Walmart
Kentucky Consular Center

Population Changes Over Time

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	126	—
1870	139	10.3%
1880	208	49.6%
1890	1,376	561.5%
1900	1,495	8.6%
1910	2,004	34.0%
1920	1,767	−11.8%
1930	1,826	3.3%
1940	2,331	27.7%
1950	3,348	43.6%
1960	3,478	3.9%
1970	3,687	6.0%
1980	5,560	50.8%
1990	5,493	−1.2%
2000	5,143	−6.4%
2010	5,245	2.0%
2020	5,326	1.5%
2022 (est.)	5,163	−1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

In 2000, there were 5,143 people living in Williamsburg. The city had 1,928 households. About 26.5% of households had children under 18. The average age of people in the city was 30 years old.

Education in Williamsburg

Schools for Kids (K-12)

Two public school districts serve the city and the area around it:

Whitley County Schools: This district serves the county outside Williamsburg. Its main campus is just outside the city.
- Whitley County High School (Grades 9–12)
- Whitley County Middle School (Grades 7–8)
- Whitley Central Intermediate School (Grades 3–6)
- Whitley County Central Primary School (Grades Pre-K-2)
Williamsburg Independent Schools: This district serves only the city of Williamsburg. It has one school for all grades from kindergarten to 12th grade.
- Williamsburg Independent School District

There is also the Corbin Education Center. It is an alternative school for students from Williamsburg, Corbin, and Whitley County.

Colleges and Universities

University of the Cumberlands marker off of Main Street, in Williamsburg, Kentucky

The main campus of the University of the Cumberlands is in Williamsburg. It is a private college with about 2,200 students. Its sports teams play in the NAIA. The university is a Christian-based school.

Public Library

Williamsburg has a lending library called the Whitley County Public Library.

Local News and Radio

Newspapers

News Journal – Published weekly
The Times-Tribune – Published twice a week
The Patriot – The college newspaper for the University of the Cumberlands

Radio Stations

WCCR-LP 94.5 FM (low power) – College radio
WNLW-LP 95.1 FM (low power) - Christian radio
WEKX 102.7 FM – Classic Rock music
WEZJ 104.3 FM – Country music
WEKC 710 AM – Gospel music
WEZJ 1440 AM – Country music

Famous People from Williamsburg

Bert T. Combs: He was the 50th governor of Kentucky.
Patricia Neal: A famous actress who lived in Williamsburg for a time.
Joe C. Paul: A United States Marine who received the Medal of Honor.
Eugene Edward Siler, Jr.: A United States federal judge.
Nick Wilson: The winner of the TV show Survivor: David vs. Goliath.

Climate in Williamsburg

Williamsburg has a climate with hot, humid summers. The winters are generally mild to cool. This type of climate is called a humid subtropical climate.