Harlan County has a unique identity, characterized by its location nestled deep within the tallest mountains in Kentucky, distinct Appalachian culture, and natural wonders. It is no surprise that Harlan has seen everything from international talent to historical figures and star athletes. Here are some fun facts about Harlan County that you might not have known:
- Harlan County is home to the highest peak in Kentucky: Black Mountain! To put its height into perspective, Black Mountain is more than three times the height of the Empire State Building. It is even home to an overlook for your viewing pleasure.
- If you’re old enough, you may remember Rax’s reign in the 1980s as a prominent fast food franchise. As the beloved franchise dwindled, Harlan became home to the last remaining Rax restaurant in Kentucky. You can visit Rax today for a taste of nostalgia (and maybe even see Uncle Al)!
- Blanton Forest is the largest old-growth forest in Kentucky, and is home to an officially recognized national champion tree: the Fraser Magnolia, as well as five state champion trees!
- Harlan County’s own Jordan Smith wowed the nation with his exceptional talent during his winning run on Season 9 of reality TV’s The Voice in 2015. Smith was the first artist featured on The Voice to land all of his live show performances in the top 10 of the iTunes Chart.
- While Henry Ford is known nationally for creating the first affordable car and inventing the assembly line, he is known locally for his operations in Harlan County. Ford managed extensive coal and timber properties centered around Wallins Creek and Banner Fork, and is associated with some of the earliest large-scale rail shipments of coal out of Harlan County.
- Before Franklin Delano Roosevelt stepped into politics, he set foot on Harlan County soil. Shortly after graduating from Harvard, FDR visited Harlan County with his uncle, Warren Delano Jr., who was vice president of the Kentenia Corporation and the director of L&N Railroad. The young Roosevelt was instrumental in the creation of a railroad in Harlan County.
- the Harlan Boys Choir became engraved in American history on January 20, 1989, when they performed at the inauguration of George H. W. Bush.
- The Poke Sallet Festival is one Harlan tradition that has not only brought families immense fun, but even was the scene for one romantic moment between Jimmy Rose and his now wife. Before proposing on the Poke Sallet Festival stage he went on to win season 8 of America’s Got Talent.
- One of the oldest Boy Scout troops south of the Ohio River was established, you guessed it, in Harlan!
- Nick Lachey, co-host of Love is Blind and lead singer of the band 98 Degrees, was born in Harlan!
- 11 out of 15 of Kentucky’s highest peaks are located in Harlan County.
- The Poke Sallet Festival is the longest continuously running festival in Kentucky. Harlan County has celebrated this beloved tradition for more than seventy years.
- The only official hot dog festival in the state of Kentucky is a title only fit for Harlan’s own Dog Days of Kentucky.
- Everyone knows Colonel Sanders’ chicken is finger-lickin’ good, but did you know that he began his culinary career on Main Street right here in Harlan?
- Harlan County is home to the state record largemouth bass: a 14-pound, 9.5-ounce fish caught by Mark Ward in 2019 at Highsplint Lake.
- Kentenia is the first state forest in Kentucky, established all the way back in 1919.
- Harlan County is home to the longest, tallest, and fastest zip line in Kentucky: the Black Mountain Thunder Zip Line.
- Wallace “Wah Wah” Jones was a two-sport All-American at the University of Kentucky, playing for legendary coaches Adolph Rupp and Bear Bryant, and winning two national championships and an NIT title. Jones is the only player at the University of Kentucky to have his jerseys retired in both basketball and football.
- At its peak, Lynch was the largest coal camp in the world, with over 10,000 residents from over 38 different nations.
- Blanton Forest is not only the largest old growth forest in Kentucky, but has the distinction of being the 13th largest in the nation!
- Harlan County has more songs written about it than any other county in Kentucky, with the most famous being “You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive” by Darrel Scott.
- The Ky coal museum tells a story of how coal powered the world, but it itself is partly solar powered.
- Harlan County was established on April 1, 1819 (no joke)! However, the Kentucky state government had to remind the people of Harlan County that they had to create their own local government, which did not happen until spring of 1820.
- If you love apples, then you may be interested to know that the Scarlet Gala was first found in Cumberland in 1980 by John Creech.
- Harlan is home to one of Kentucky’s oldest golf courses, this being Lynch Country Club!
