Williba, Kentucky facts for kids

Williba is a small place in Lee County, Kentucky, in the United States. It's what we call an unincorporated community. This means it's a group of homes and people living together, but it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town does. Williba is located right next to Fraley Creek, which is a small stream. It's also very close to where the North Fork of the Kentucky River joins the main Kentucky River.

What is an Unincorporated Community?

An unincorporated community is a place where people live that isn't officially part of a city or town. Instead, it's usually governed by the larger county it's in. For example, Williba is governed by Lee County. These communities often have a unique history and character, even without their own mayor or city council.

The Story Behind Williba's Name

Williba once had its own post office, which opened a long time ago on March 29, 1904. People believe the community was first going to be named after a place called Willoughby in England. This is because the families who first settled in the area were thought to have come from that part of England.

However, the story goes that the very first postmaster, who was in charge of the mail, had a problem. The name "Willoughby" was too long to fit on the rubber stamp used for mail! So, the postmaster supposedly shortened and changed the name to "Williba" to make it fit. This new, shorter name stuck. Over time, the post office in Williba eventually closed down.