Middlesboro ( local ) is a rule-class town in Bell County, Kentucky, United States. The population is 10.334 at the US census in 2010., while the micropolitan area has a population of 69,060.
Located 1 mile west of the Cumberland Gap and is the largest city in southeastern Kentucky. It is located between the Pine Mountains and the Cumberland Mountains in the Middlesboro Basin, a large meteorite crater (one of three known astroblems in the state). The city claims to be the only one in the United States built entirely inside such craters, as well as the oldest ragtime music house and golf course ever played in the country.
Video Middlesboro, Kentucky
Name
Originally funded by a British businessman, the city opened its first post office on September 14, 1888, under the name Middlesborough , probably in honor of the English city of the same name. The city was officially established under the spellings on March 14 two years later, but the post office switched to "Middlesboro" in 1894 and the spelling has since been adopted by the city itself, the Kentucky Land Office, and the US Council on Geographical Names. Some still think "Middlesborough" remains official, however.
Maps Middlesboro, Kentucky
History
Initial history
The area was originally populated by American Indians like Shawnee. The first known European to visit the area was Gabriel Arthur in 1674. He was later followed by Thomas Walker in 1750 and Daniel Boone in 1769.
South Pittsburgh
John Turner of Virginia founded the nearby Yellow Creek settlement in 1810, but the city did not begin to develop until the people born in Scotland and Canada grew up engineers and entrepreneurs Alexander Arthur is interested in Yellow Creek Valley. After settling in Knoxville, Tennessee, he arranged development projects in the area as part of New South postwar. Taking interest in iron deposits around the Cumberland Gap circa 1886, Arthur was able to convince some rich Asheville Gilded-Age descendants, North Carolina, to talk to their families about funding "Pittsburgh of the South", but insufficient financing did not come. He then traveled to England, where he can find supporters interested in his "Magic City" of 250,000 residents enjoying running water, electricity, a large sports commons, and an electric tram in the center of Appalachia. Simultaneously, he funded and started construction on Powell's Valley Railroad, with the goal of connecting the Cumberland Gap region to Knoxville.
In 1888, the new city was laid out and named "Middlesborough", probably after the English city, well after the local contest chose it as the best entrance or after the birthplace of brothers who owned the local English Hotel. The Middlesboro Country Club was established as part of Arthur's original development. The nine course hole is one of the oldest in the United States and claims to be the oldest continuous course played in the country. Pianist Ben Harney also claimed to have original ragtime music in Middlesboro, where he played in a local salon in the early 1890s. Right south of the Cumberland Gap at the current Lincoln Memorial University area, the $ 1 million Four Seasons Hotel was built in 1892 with 500 rooms, a 200-room spa and a sanitarium.
The Arthur project failed in 1893. The Cumberland Gap turned out to be too steep for locomotives and, to connect Middlesboro to the Tennessee line, the expensive tunnels needed to be built from 1888 to 1889, which ultimately required the dissolution of the Powell Valley. Railroad and recapitalize as Knoxville, Cumberland Gap, & amp; Louisville. Rebuilding from a devastating fire in 1890 spent more capital and time and lower quality than local ore meant that revenue from Arthur's steel plant was not enough to overcome Panic in 1893 on Wall Street. Arthur's development in the area was completed, the post office was renamed the following year after the usual local spelling "Middlesboro". The Knoxville, Cumberland Pass, & amp; Louisville bought by L & amp; N in 1896. The local newspaper, Middlesboro Daily News , was founded in 1911.
Despite being the largest city in the area, Middlesboro's development came too late to avoid Pineville being the seat of the local courthouse. Both cities have remained a friendly rival since the founding of Middlesboro.
Small Las Vegas
Middlesboro installed the first electric street car west of Washington, D.C., to help locals and tourists visit a town known as the "Little Las Vegas" in the 1930s. At this time, Middlesboro is full of slot machines, salons, and brothels. During this period, shooting in the streets is part of everyday life. The city, under the rule of the famous Ball brothers, is featured in newspapers across the country as one of the wildest and wildest cities in the United States.
Athens of the Mountains
In the 1950s, Middlesboro had a population of about 15,000 inhabitants. Their strong support for art leads to a city called "the Athens of the Mountains". It is one of the few towns in East Coal Square to boast a grand opera house and become one of the state's finest school districts. The first shopping center was built in the city during the 1960s. The city was named "All Kentucky City" in 1964, '65, '66, '67, and '69, a great honor for such a small town. The Cumberland Gap National Historical Park was also established during this time.
During the 1970s, the coal industry in the area was revived and the city prospered again. A magnificent centennial celebration was held in 1990 that included a ball, air show, and beauty pageant, as well as a new city park dedication. The Cumberland Gap tunnel opened in 1996.
Today
Currently, Middlesboro is investing in city center revitalization to help create new business and provide a better image of the city. In 2004, Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. (DDM), was formed to promote and lead the revamping of the historic city center. Since its inception, Discover Downtown Middlesboro has helped many businesses receive a facelift and has restored the historic Fountain Fountain in the city center. The organization also helps create awareness of the great and glorious past of the city. Many large-scale sepia murals are deployed throughout the city center, paying homage to the founders of Middlesboro, his wife, and other historical points in Middlesboro history. DDM also hosts various events for community and tri-state areas that are free to the public, one of the most popular including Downtown Ducky Dash and Block Party. DDM oversees all the projects that take place inside the downtown area and has plans to make a brick wall crossing at Fountain Square. In the end, they plan to create a more pedestrian-friendly historic town center with more benches, bike racks, planters and street repairs at work. Recently, the organization has filed nearly $ 1 million in grant money for the purpose of preserving and developing a central urban district district. Currently, DDM has invested in a Conservation Plan, which should be inaugurated in September 2013. This plan, once completed, will outline plans for revitalizing downtown Middlesboro, helping create a brand for downtown areas, and helping lay the foundation for preserving the rich architectural details in the historic district of the city center.
In June 2011 severe flash floods damaged many homes and businesses in Middlesboro. After a rainfall of 8.5 inches (22 cm) in 48 hours, the drains can not cope with flooding. Two residents of the area were killed in the flood, and dozens of people lost their homes. The downtown area is one of the hardest hit areas of the city. At one point during a rainy event, enough water was present throughout the downtown area that the vehicle was completely submerged. For hours after the flood, traveling in and around the city was very difficult because of the large amount of water in the basin where Middlesboro was built. A few days later, Governor Steve Beshear visited the area and officially declared it a disaster, allowing state funds to be used to rebuild.
In April 2012, Middlesboro became the first city in the United States to have a community-wide organic garden, featuring 60 elevated garden beds that will be used to grow food for people in the community. Some beds are even accessible for disabled people. Bedding will be provided based on arrival order. Food grown in bed will help reduce costs for families in need, and can be donated to people in need or sold to local restaurants. Community organic gardens are possible through Middlesboro Town, Bell County Health Department, and several donors and volunteers. Middlesboro is currently working to become one of the first cities in Kentucky to become a certified City of Trails. The mayor, together with the City Council, shows support and takes the initiative to become a certified City Trail. This achievement will be a collaboration between the Bell County Tourism Commission, Bell County Adventure Tours, Discover Downtown Middlesboro, Bell County Chamber of Commerce, and Middlesboro Town.
Middlesboro is featured on the television series History Channel How Countries Get Their Shape in the episode "Troop Nature". The city is also featured in one of the episodes of the BBC Miracle of the Solar System . ABC Good Morning America respects the Middlesboro-Bell County Library to participate in the "52 Weeks of Giving" program on 27 May 2013.
On September 15, 2015 Middlesboro held an election to allow the production of alcohol and retail at the city limits. Previously, all of Bell County had dried up except for the state-specific state park in Pineville, Kentucky. Leaving alcohol in the city will make Bell County a Moist County. The ballot went 1,298-ya to 1,179-no. With such a close voice, tension arises around the topic of alcohol benefits in a small community.
Starting summer 2015, Discover Downtown Middlesboro is a grantee from the Levitt Foundation of California. This grant provides funding for a series of 10 outdoor music concerts each summer. The concert venue is a place that was once abandoned near the main junction of the city on the 20th & amp; Cumberland Ave. Middlesboro is one of 15 cities across the country selected for the Levitt AMP series. & Lt; http://concerts.levittamp.org/middlesboro>
Geography
Middlesboro is located on 36Ã, Â ° 36? 37? N 83Ã, Â ° 43? 24? W (36.610146, -83.723230). The city is located right inside the Cumberland Gap, along Route 25E US, and built inside a meteorite crater.
According to the US Census Bureau, the city has a total area of ​​7.6 square miles (20 km 2 ), all except 0.09 square miles (0.23 km 2 ) from which is the land. The US 25E provides a four-lane connection to Interstate 75 in Corbin, 45 miles to the northwest. With a newly completed renovation in the US 25E, travelers now have a four-lane connection to Interstate 81 in Morristown, Tennessee, 45 miles to the south.
Climate
Middlesboro undergoes a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons. The average height is 87 Â ° F in July, the hottest month, with the lowest average of 24 Â ° F occurring in January, the coldest month. The highest recorded temperature was 112 Â ° F in July 1930. The lowest recorded temperature was -18 Â ° F in January 1985. The average annual rainfall was 42.8 inches (1,090 mm), with the wettest month being March, the average 5.25 inches (133 mm).
Demographics
In the 2000 census, there were 10,384 people, 4,443 households, and 2,927 families living in the city. Population density was 1,359.1 persons per square mile (524.8/km ²). There are 4,955 housing units with an average density of 648.5/sq., Mi (250.4/km²). City's racial makeup is 92.84% White, 4.90% African American, 0.38% Native Americans, 0.63% Asia, 0.04% Pacific Island, 0.19% of other races, and 1.02 % of two or more races. Hispanic or Latin of any race is 0.79% of the population.
There are 4,443 households where 28.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.1% are married couples living together, 18.3% have unmarried female households present, and 34.1 % is not family. 31.5% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.2% have someone living alone 65 or older. The average household size is 2.30 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the city, the population is spread by 23.6% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 23.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% years or more. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 women, there are 83.5 men. For every 100 women age 18 and over, there are 78.1 men.
The average income for households in the city is $ 19,565, and the average income for families is $ 25,016. Men have an average income of $ 23,285 versus $ 19,040 for women. The per capita income for the city is $ 13,189. Approximately 24.4% of families and 28.1% of the population are below the poverty line, including 41.2% of those under the age of 18 and 16.5% of those aged 65 and older.
Transportation
The main street of the city is 25E US. The US 25E Tunnel (a.k.a Cumberland Gap Tunnel) is a 0.87 mile (1.40 km) tunnel that runs under the famous Cumberland Gap. The northern Terminus is located in Middlesboro and the southern end is in Cumberland Gap, Tennessee. Middlesboro is one of the few towns in Kentucky that is not built on or near a significant waterway, so it can not be reached by water. The only major waterway near this town is Fern Lake, a small lake located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Man-made canals flow through the heart of the city. Channel channel Yellow Creek from the western part of town through the city center and then head north, northeast out of town. The Middlesboro canal was built by a large number of immigrants as soon as the city was founded. The canal is home to many duck populations and species, all of which are regarded as citizens of city honor, although traffic headaches can lead. Traffic and pedestrians should produce the right to the road to the ducks at any time and anyone caught endangering the ducks can face fines or jail time. Since Middlesboro is known throughout the region for a large duck population, the canal serves as a "raceway" for the annual Ducky Dash duck race duck held annually in August by Discover Downtown Middlesboro.
Middlesboro is served by Middlesboro-Bell County Airport, which is the sole runway, the general aviation airport and is the second oldest airport still in use in Kentucky, ranked behind Bowman Field in Louisville. The airport was founded in 1944; however, the first recorded flight into the city was in 1912. It serves as the home for 45 aircraft and more than 16,000 operations annually. Middlesboro-Bell County Airport is also home to the famous P-38 Lightning, Glacier Girl. The aircraft was restored at the airport premises, where it made its inaugural flight in October 2002. The airport has recently undergone major renovations, including the addition of new terminals equipped with public toilets, sitting rooms, kitchens and space radios that can be used for weather information current. Other renovations/additions include a jet fuel tank, which will allow more air traffic to use the facility. In the near future, the airport plans to expand and expand the current runway and taxiway, plus add new hangars for aircraft, new ground lighting, and Aircraft Observation Systems (AWOS). Middlesboro-Bell County Airport is one of ten airports to receive this new system. The closest major airport to Middlesboro is McGhee Tyson Airport in Knoxville, Tennessee, 75.5 miles (121.5 km) or about 1 hour 40 minutes.
Middleboro's main highway is named Cumberland Avenue, which runs through the historic downtown district of Middlesboro. Find Downtown Middlesboro, Inc. (DDM) is a revitalized non-profit city center that is charged with the restoration of the city center. DDM has been in existence since 2004 and since then, has restored the famous Fountain Square in Moplesboro, completed many historical murals in the city, started and formed a renewed farmer's market, renamed signboards in the downtown area, and received grants for new plantings for many planters which line up Cumberland Avenue. Many streets parallel to Cumberland Avenue (east-west) are named for bachelors and locals in England, while the perpendicular road (north-south) is given a numerical name. 25E AS is also known as the 12th street, with higher numbers found when one moves to the west.
Shopping
Middlesboro is home to Middlesboro Mall, the only attached shopping center in the area. The area also has Middlesboro Crossing, a mall that was recently built at the northern end of town.
Famous people
See also
- Middlesboro Crater
- Colson House
- Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
References
Further reading
Roberts, Charles Blanton (January 1933). "The Building of Middlesborough". Filson Club Quarterly History . 7 (1) . Retrieved 2011-11-29 .
External links
- Middlesboro City
- The Middlesboro Daily News
- Middlesboro Middle School
- The history of Middlesborough
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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