BlockBefore

Bell County, Kentucky

66 topographic sheets and 15 fire insurance atlases across 2 places.

Research this county

From the record

10 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Kentucky within the United States
Bell County within Kentucky

What the record shows

  • 2 places in this county were surveyed for fire insurance: Pineville, Middlesboro, between 1891 and 1948.
  • 15 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 1,271 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 10 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 5 districts, 4 buildings and 1 site.
  • 1 of the 10 listings was added during the 1970s.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 64 populated places in this county; 64 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

14 photographs, 2020

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

View from "The Pinnacle," an observation post high above the Cumberland River at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro, along the Tennessee border
View from "The Pinnacle," an observation post high above the Cumberland River at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro, along the Tennessee border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Downtown block, including the Gem City Cakes shop, in Pineville, Kentucky, near the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Downtown block, including the Gem City Cakes shop, in Pineville, Kentucky, near the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Administrative center of the Red Bird Missionary Conference, a United Methodist Church facility deep in the Kentucky hills, near the town of Beverly
Administrative center of the Red Bird Missionary Conference, a United Methodist Church facility deep in the Kentucky hills, near the town of Beverly
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
An abandoned coal-processioning facility in the remote mountains near the Bell County community of Arjay, in southern Kentucky's portion of the Appalachian Mountains
An abandoned coal-processioning facility in the remote mountains near the Bell County community of Arjay, in southern Kentucky's portion of the Appalachian Mountains
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
An abandoned coal-processioning facility in the remote mountains near the Bell County community of Arjay, in southern Kentucky's portion of the Appalachian Mountains
An abandoned coal-processioning facility in the remote mountains near the Bell County community of Arjay, in southern Kentucky's portion of the Appalachian Mountains
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Some house trailers are referred to as "double wides" because they are deliberately given extra width to make them more expansive to live in
Some house trailers are referred to as "double wides" because they are deliberately given extra width to make them more expansive to live in
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
An informational sign on a walkway to the overlook at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro
An informational sign on a walkway to the overlook at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Railroad tracks through the woods near Pineville, Kentucky
Railroad tracks through the woods near Pineville, Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
View from "The Pinnacle," an observation post high above the Cumberland River at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro, along the Tennessee border
View from "The Pinnacle," an observation post high above the Cumberland River at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro, along the Tennessee border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Dense woods near "The Pinnacle," an observation post high above the Cumberland River at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro, along the Tennessee border
Dense woods near "The Pinnacle," an observation post high above the Cumberland River at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in the Kentucky highlands, near Middlesboro, along the Tennessee border
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Visitor Center, Middlesboro, Bell County, KY
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Visitor Center, Middlesboro, Bell County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Pinnacle Overlook, Middlesboro, Bell County, KY
Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Pinnacle Overlook, Middlesboro, Bell County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Pine Street Bridge, Pine Street (State Route 66) ,spanning Cumberland River, Pineville, Bell County, KY
Pine Street Bridge, Pine Street (State Route 66) ,spanning Cumberland River, Pineville, Bell County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Kentucky Route 2014 Bridge, Spanning Cumberland River on Kentucky Route 2014, Pineville, Bell County, KY
Kentucky Route 2014 Bridge, Spanning Cumberland River on Kentucky Route 2014, Pineville, Bell County, KY
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

10

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
American Association, Limited, Office Buildingbuilding197878001299
Brooks Housebuilding200909001137
Cumberland Gap Historic Districtdistrict198080000366
Cumberland Gap National Historical Parkdistrict196666000353
Hensley Settlementdistrict198080000367
Middlesboro Downtown Commercial Districtdistrict198383002554
Middlesboro Jewish Cemeterysite2017100001419
Mt. Moriah Baptist Churchbuilding198585001747
Pineville Courthouse Square Historic Districtdistrict199090001019
St. Mary's Episcopal Churchbuilding198484000341

Digitised newspapers

1 issue

Sampled issues, machine-read from the Library of Congress scan and published page by page, so every headline and column is searchable text.

The Weekly Herald

Middlesboro, Ky., 1895 to 1898. Machine-read from the Library of Congress scan.

The county from the air

32 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 828 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 32 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-03-23, scale 1:27240
1951-03-23, scale 1:27240. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-03-23, scale 1:27240
1951-03-23, scale 1:27240. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-03-23, scale 1:27240
1951-03-23, scale 1:27240. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1951-03-23, scale 1:27240
1951-03-23, scale 1:27240. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-04-17, scale 1:24000
1952-04-17, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-04-17, scale 1:24000
1952-04-17, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-04-17, scale 1:24000
1952-04-17, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1952-04-17, scale 1:24000
1952-04-17, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-04-25, scale 1:60000
1956-04-25, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-04-25, scale 1:60000
1956-04-25, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-04-25, scale 1:60000
1956-04-25, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1956-04-25, scale 1:60000
1956-04-25, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-05-15, scale 1:26000
1958-05-15, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-05-15, scale 1:26000
1958-05-15, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-05-15, scale 1:26000
1958-05-15, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1958-05-15, scale 1:26000
1958-05-15, scale 1:26000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-04-25, scale 1:24000
1969-04-25, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-04-25, scale 1:24000
1969-04-25, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-04-25, scale 1:24000
1969-04-25, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-04-25, scale 1:24000
1969-04-25, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-09-04, scale 1:44000
1972-09-04, scale 1:44000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-09-04, scale 1:44000
1972-09-04, scale 1:44000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-09-04, scale 1:44000
1972-09-04, scale 1:44000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1972-09-04, scale 1:44000
1972-09-04, scale 1:44000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-01, scale 1:80000
1976-04-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-01, scale 1:80000
1976-04-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-01, scale 1:80000
1976-04-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1976-04-01, scale 1:80000
1976-04-01, scale 1:80000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-09-18, scale 1:33000
1989-09-18, scale 1:33000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-09-18, scale 1:33000
1989-09-18, scale 1:33000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-09-18, scale 1:33000
1989-09-18, scale 1:33000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1989-09-18, scale 1:33000
1989-09-18, scale 1:33000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

10 stations, 6 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

60 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 7-1Magisterial District 1: Pineville city: Pineville city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by Cumberland River; Kentuck Ave., Cherry; Park Ave.; Pine
  • 7-2Pineville city - That part of Ward 1 Bounded by Park Ave., Cherry, Kentucky Ave.; Cumberland River; City limits; Ward line, Pine
  • 7-3Pineville city - That part comprising Ward 2 Bounded by City limits; Ward line, Pine, Park Ave., Pine, Ward line; City limits; Ward line, Cedar, Prospect Ave. Mountain View Ave., Ward line
  • 7-4Pineville city - That part comprising Ward 3 Bounded by City limits; Ward line, Mountain View Ave., Prospect Ave., Cedar, Ward line; City limits; City limits
  • 7-5Pineville city - That part comprising Ward 4 Bounded by City limits; City limits; Cumberland River; Ward line
  • 7-6Magisterial District 1 - That part Bounded by County line; District line; Ivy Grove - Heyburn Rd., Four Mile Creek; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad
  • 7-7Magisterial District 1 - That part outside Pineville city Bounded by Four Mile Creek, Ivy Grove - Reyburn Rd.; District line; State Hwy. 21; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad
  • 7-8Magisterial District 1 - That part outside Pineville city Bounded by County line, Louisiana and Nashville Railroad; Cumberland River; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad , District line; District line
  • 7-9Magisterial District 1 - That part outside Pineville city Bounded by State Hwy. 21, District line; District line; District line, Cumberland River; Cumberland River
  • 7-10Magisterial District 1 - That part Bounded by Louisiana and Nashville Railroad, Cumberland River; Cumberland River; District line; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad
  • 7-11Magisterial District 2: Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by State Hwy. 21; County line; State Hwy. 221; Stony Fork, Harber - Stony Fork Rd.
  • 7-12Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by County line; State Hwy. 21; State Hwy. 21; Elecks Creek Rd., County line
  • 7-13Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by County line; Elecks Creek Rd., State Hwy. 21; Ivy Grove - Heyburn Rd.; Magisterial District line
  • 7-14Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by State Hwy. 21, Harber - Stony Fork Rd.; Stony Fork; Simmons Creek - Stony Fork Rd.; State Hwy. 21
  • 7-15Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by Simmons Creek - Stony Fork Rd.; Stony Fork, State Hwy. 221; Magisterial District line; State Hwys. 21 and 221, and Kettle Island Creek Rd.
  • 7-16Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by Ivy Grove - Heyburn Rd., State Hwy. 21, Simmons Creek - Stony Fork Rd.; Kettle Island Creek Rd.; State Hwy. 221; State Hwy. 21, Left Fork of Straight Creek SUPERVISOR NOTE: This Enumeration District is expected to require sub-division. Examine before enumeration. See instructions.
  • 7-17Magisterial District 2 - That part Bounded by Ivy Grove - Heyburn Rd.; Left Fork, Straight Creek; State 21; District line
  • 7-18Magisterial District 3: Balkan town, unincorporated (See boundaries shown on aerial photo number BUG-16-92)
  • 7-19Black Snake town, unincorporated (see boundaries shown on aerial photo number BUG-23-20)
  • 7-20Magisterial District 3 - That part east of U. S. Hwy. 119 and State Hwy. 72, outside black Snake town unincorporated (see aerial photo BUG-23-20 for boundaries of Black Snake)
  • 7-21Magisterial District 3 - That part north of U. S. Hwy. 119, State Hwy. 72 and Cumberland River
  • 7-22Magisterial District 3 - That part south of Cumberland River, west of State Hwy. 72, north of Oaks Rd. and east of Oaks - Cumberland River Rd., outside the unincorpornted places of Balkan and Black Snake (see aerial photo BUG-16-92 for boundaries of Balkan and BUG-23-20 for boundaries of Black Snake)
  • 7-23Magisterial District 3 - That part south of Cumberland River, west of Oaks - Cumberland River Rd. and south of Oaks Rd.
  • 7-24Magisterial District 4: Magisterial District 4 - That part north of State Hwy. 74 and east of Higgins Branch
  • 7-25Magisterial District 4 - That part west of Higgins Branch and northeast of State Hwy. 74
  • 7-26Magisterial District 4 - That part south of State Hwy. 74 and northwest of State Hwy. 186
  • 7-27Magisterial District 4 - That part southeast of State Hwy. 186
  • 7-28Magisterial District 5: Magisterial District 5 - That part northwest of State Hwy. 92
  • 7-29Magisterial District 5 - That part northwest of Big Clear Creek and southeast of State Hwy. 92
  • 7-30Magisterial District 5 - That part southeast of Big Clear Creek
  • 7-31Magisterial District 6: Middlesborough city: Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by City limits; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad; Ashbury Ave., 19th, Bloomsbury Ave., 20th, Lynnwood Rd., Wildwood Rd., Ravenwood Rd., Hollywood Rd.; Lexington Rd. (U. S. Hwy. 25 E.)
  • 7-32Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by City limits; Lexington Rd. (U. S. Hwy. 25 E.); Hollywood Rd., Cirencester Ave., 27th, Westminster Ave., Lick Fork; City limits
  • 7-33Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by City limits; Lick Fork, 34th; Cumberland Ave.; Beans Fork, Stony Fork
  • 7-34Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Stony Fork; Beans Fork; Bennett's Fork; City limits
  • 7-35Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Morcester Ave.; Lick Fork; Cunberland Ave.; 34th
  • 7-36Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Lick Fork; Lick Fork; Worcester Ave.; 34th
  • 7-37Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Westminster Ave., 27th, Cirencester Ave., Hollywood Rd., Ravenwood Rd.; Wildwood Rd., Lynnwood Rd.; Worcester Ave.; Lick Fork
  • 7-38Middlesborough city -That part Bounded by Worcester Ave., Lynnwood Rd.; Inglewood, Dorchester, 24th; Cunberland Ave.; Lick Fork
  • 7-39Middlesborough city - That part excluding Cumberland Hotel Bounded by Lynnwood Rd.; 20th, Bloomsbury Ave., 19th, Ashbury Ave., Louisiana and Nashville Railroad; Cumberland Ave.; 24th, Dorchester Ave., Inglewood
  • 7-40Cumberland Hotel - In Middlesborough city
  • 7-41Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Yellow Channel, Danbury Ave., 14th, Amesbury Ave.; 10th; Cumberland Ave.; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad
  • 7-42N/A
  • 7-43Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad, Avondale Ave., 8th, Cumberland Ave.; 10th, Old Pineville Rd.
  • 7-44Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Cumberland Ave., 8th, Avondale Ave., Louisiana and Nashville Railroad; City limits; City limits; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad
  • 7-45Middlesborouch city - That part Bounded by Cumberland Ave.; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad; City limits; 20th, Chester Ave., 19th
  • 7-46Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Cumberland Ave.; 19th, Chester Ave., 20th; Exeter Ave.; 25th
  • 7-47Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Cumberland Ave.; 25th; Exeter Ave.; Petersborough Ave.
  • 7-48Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Bennett's Fork, Beans Pork, Cumberland Ave.; Petersborough Ave.; Exeter Ave., 38th, Winchester Ave.
  • 7-49Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Bennett's Fork, Winchester Ave., 38th, Exeter Ave.; Petersborough Ave., Petersborough Ave. extended; City limits; City limits
  • 7-50Middlesborough city - That part Bounded br Exeter Ave.; 25th, Rochester Ave., Balmoral Rd.; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad; Petersborough Ave.
  • 7-51Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Rochester Ave.; 24th, Tadcaster Ave., Louisiana and Nashville Railroad, 20th; City limits; Petersborough Ave. extended, Louisiana and Nashville Railroad , Balmoral Rd.
  • 7-52Middlesborough city - That part Bounded by Exeter Ave.; 20th; Louisiana and Nashville Railroad, Tadcaster Ave.; 24th, Rochester Ave., 25th
  • 7-53Magisterial District 6 - That part outside Middlesborough city
  • 7-54Magisterial District 7: Magisterial District 7 - that part east of Hances Creek and Hances Creek Rd., and north of Clear Fork Rd.
  • 7-55Magisterial District 7 - That part west of Hances Creek, north of Colmar Rd. and State Hwy. 188 and east of Colmar - Harbell Rd.
  • 7-56Magisterial District 7 - That part west of Colmar - Harbell Rd. north of State Hwy.188 and west of U.S. Hwy. 25 E
  • 7-57Magisterial District 7 - That part east of U. S. Hwy. 25 E, south of State Hwy. 188, Colmar Rd., west of Hances Creek Rd. and south of Clear Fork Rd.
  • 7-58Magisterial District 8: Pruden - Fonde, unincorporated Bounded by Unnamed cross road; Unnamed cross road, Power line; State line; One Fourth mile offset northwest of and parallel to S. R.R., Ky. Hwy. 74
  • 7-59Magisterial District 8 - That part west of State Hwy. 74, outside Pruden - Fonde, unincorporated (See separate map for boundaries of Pruden - Fonde)
  • 7-60Magisterial District 8 - That part east of State Hwy. 74, outside Pruden - Fonde, unincorporated (see separate map for boundaries of Pruden - Fonde)

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

932 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 932 of them, burning about 37,856 acres. 11 started naturally and 213 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning394
Missing data/not specified/undetermined246
Arson/incendiarism213
Recreation and ceremony44
Natural11
Railroad operations and maintenance8
Equipment and vehicle use7
Smoking6
Misuse of fire by a minor2
Power generation/transmission/distribution1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
5 October 2007Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,963 acresKentucky Division of ForestrySOUTHEASTERN COMPLEX
7 November 2016Debris and open burning1,600 acresKentucky Division of ForestryKY RIDGE
9 March 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined1,105 acresKentucky Division of ForestryROCKY FACE
30 October 2001Arson/incendiarism900 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
18 November 2016Debris and open burning830 acresKentucky Division of ForestryWALLSEND
2 November 2016Debris and open burning800 acresKentucky Division of ForestryHWY 190
10 March 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined535 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
11 April 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined521 acresKentucky Division of ForestrySLATE DUMP #2

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1980 to 2026

60 of 374 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 374 reports for this county, causing 1 death, 17 injuries and about $31,511,560 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind186
Flash Flood61
Hail60
Flood33
Heavy Rain21
Tornado6
Funnel Cloud3
Debris Flow3
Lightning1

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 1988Tornado (F3)not stated1 killed, 15 hurt, $25,000,000no account filed
April 1990Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
July 1987Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
February 2020FloodDorton Branch$4,000,000Local media reported devastating flooding throughout Bell County, including damage to approximately 90 homes. This includes Pineville, where the Cumberland River crested to its second highest stage in history, forcing officials to close the city's floodgates. The community of Fourmile was hard hit, while the Dorton Branch community saw several people without homes as flood waters of nearly a foot deep impacted them. Several homes and businesses, including Faith Missionary Baptist Church, sustained damage. Middlesboro was also heavily impacted as numerous businesses and homes were inundated. At least three water rescues were made by public safety officials between Pineville and Middlesboro.
June 2011FloodMiddlesboro Bell Arp$1,000,000Parts of Old Pineville Pike, Cumberland Ave, and 25th St were severely flooded in Middlesboro. By midmorning, the Cumberland Gap Tunnel was closed and parts of Hwy 25E were impassable. The Binghamton area of Middlesboro was also under water, with many residents having to use boats to navigate the flooded streets.
October 2010Tornado (EF1)Middlesboro Bell Arp$250,000EF-1 tornado. Numerous trees were blown down and some structures were damaged near the mall, along 12th street, and along 19th street. The roof of the mall was damaged. The roof was blown off of Hickmans Building Supply and large sheets of metal were lifted, carried, and dropped 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile away. Two cinder block buildings were demolished at a lumber yard and two large steel doors were blown off of another business. A large sycamore tree that was blown down at the corner of 29th and Cumberland took down power lines as it fell.
May 1998Tornado (F1)Fonde$200,000no account filed
February 2018FloodPineville$100,000Numerous roads were flooded in and around Pineville and Middlesboro including: Old Pineville Pike in Middlesboro, Highway's 2013 and 1534 in Pineville, Highway 221 at mile marker 9 in Stoney Fork and the intersection of 17th Street and Cumberland Ave in Middlesboro. A water rescue had to be performed 4 miles west northwest of Pineville at Magnet Hollow on Kentucky Highway 92 after a motorist drove into a flooded roadway. There was several feet of water across portions of Old Bell High Road near Pineville. Flooding also caused a mudslide on Kentucky Highway 74 near Middlesboro. The road was closed for around 2 weeks to clear the mudslide and repair the road.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$100,000Numerous trees and powerlines down throughout the county. Roof and siding damage to a few homes in the Dorton Branch area.
July 2019Thunderstorm WindPineville$55,000Local media reported numerous large trees downed in Pineville, resulting in damage to several personal and official vehicles as well as damage to a few homes. A local business lost its roof as a result of the high winds. Due to the damage, city officials cancelled the Fourth of July Festival that was planned for the evening.
July 2012Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$50,000The roof of a Big Lots store and various other business signs along Hwy 25E were damaged or blown away completely.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindPineville$50,000Trees were blown down in Pineville and throughout the county by wind gusts estimated at 67 mph.
June 1998LightningMiddlesboro$50,000Lightning struck and burned up a transformer.
April 1998Flash FloodCountywide$50,000no account filed
May 2008Thunderstorm WindPineville$40,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts in the eastern portion of the county.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindGardner$30,000A photo was posted on social media of a tree leaning on a house, near the Noetown community on the west side of Middlesboro.
July 2022Thunderstorm WindParamount$30,000Pictures posted by WRIL Radio on their social media account show multiple trees and branches had fallen onto a home along 43rd Street in Middlesboro, leading to extensive roof and interior ceiling damage.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindCalvin$25,000The Kentucky Department of Highways and local dispatch reported trees blown down from Calvin to Callaway along U.S. Highway 119. A home and vehicle were both damaged in Calvin as trees fell on both of them.
April 2012Thunderstorm WindFrakes$25,000There were power lines blown down.
February 2019Heavy RainDavisburg$20,000The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet reported mudslides across the county. These caused the roadway to be reduced to one lane on Kentucky Highways 74, 987, 225, and 1344.
June 2018Flash FloodFerndale$20,000A local media outlet reported flowing water over Kentucky Highway 516 between Page and Colmar. A driver had to be rescued from these flood waters as their vehicle became submerged while attempting to drive through them.
November 1996Flash FloodMiddlesboro$20,000no account filed
February 2020FloodStoney Fork$16,000A citizen reported standing water over Kentucky Highway 2011 in Stoney Fork. A church and multiple homes also had water surrounding and inundating them.
August 2024Flash FloodArjay$15,000Flash flooding occurred along Kettle Island Branch Road, and continued to the intersection of Hwy-221 in the community of Kettle Island. The flooding began near the intersection of Kettle Island Branch Road and Old School Lane as well as Blevins Lane. Several homes were surrounded with water, and a parked vehicle was moved by flowing water.
April 2020FloodBinghamton$15,000Rescue squad officials had to perform a water rescue on Old Pineville Pike north of Middlesboro as a motorist became stranded in flood waters.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$15,000Trees were blown down in Middlesboro.
April 1998Flash FloodCountywide$15,000no account filed
February 2020FloodMiracle$11,000Local media reported Bell County Veterans Memorial Park was under 2-3 feet of water, while a mudslide was observed on Kentucky Highway 987 near the Miracle Bridge.
May 2025HailClear Creek Spgs$10,000A report on social media said that hail at least the size of quarters was breaking windshields on KY-190 along Log Mountain in Bell County, near the Clear Creek Springs community.
May 2020Flash FloodTinsley$10,000A citizen reported water flowing over Kentucky Highways 92 and 2077 southwest of Fourmile. Kentucky State Police and the Bell County Rescue Squad had to rescue two people who became stuck in flood waters on Jim McGaffee Road.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindPineville$10,000Trees were blown down in Pineville.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindMiracle$10,000Trees were blown down in Hulen or 4 miles north northeast of Miracle.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindArjay$10,000Trees were blown down in Arjay.
March 2002Flash FloodPineville$10,000Heavy rains that fell caused several roads to be closed across Bell County.
June 1997Tornado (F0)Pineville$10,000The path of the tornado was intermittent. Trees were downed, and there was some minor structural damage.
March 1997Flash FloodMiddlesboro$10,000no account filed
May 1996Flash FloodArjay$10,000no account filed
July 2023Thunderstorm WindMiracle$9,000Radio station WRIL reported a snapped power pole on KY-987 near the intersection of Baker Hill Road (close to Community Harvest Tabernacle). In addition, the KSP post in Harlan also reported a tree had blown down onto KY-987 in the same vicinity, blocking both lanes.
February 2011Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$8,000An 8 by 12 foot shed was moved about 40 feet by a thunderstorm wind gust. A few shingles and some siding was torn off one structure. An unsupported concrete block wall was also knocked over. The damage occurred at the corner of 23rd and Winchester Streets in Middlesboro.
February 2008Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$8,000Both trees and powerlines were blown down along Highway 2079.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindPineville$8,000A large 15-16 inch diameter poplar tree was blown down across Highway 190. Approximately 70-75 people without power.
May 2000Thunderstorm WindCountywide$8,000Strong thunderstorm winds brought widespread damage across Bell county. Numerous trees were brought down as well as power lines. A tree was blown down on a house producing minor damage and a porch roof was blown off another residence.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$6,000Trees were blown down and onto power lines at the Bella Gardens Apt complex on Old Pineville Pike in Middlesboro.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindCubage$6,000Trees were blown down onto Highway 987 in the Brownies Creek area by wind gusts estimated at 62 mph.
May 2024Thunderstorm WindParamount$5,000A tree was down near the Middlesboro Fire Station #2, causing a power pole to lean on the building.
July 2019Flash FloodDavisburg$5,000Local media reported flowing water around Oat Field Branch off of Kentucky Highway 92 southwest of Ingram. This resulted in homeowners being trapped as a footbridge washed away.
February 2019Heavy RainChenoa$5,000Kentucky Highway 3485 near Frakes was reported by a media outlet to have been damaged from a slide.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindWessell$5,000Dispatch reported a tree blown down onto a home on U.S. Highway 119 at Helton Road. A tree was also blown down onto U.S. Highway 119 near Callaway.
February 2012Thunderstorm WindCallaway$5,000Trees were blown down along US Hwy 119 in Callaway.
February 2012Thunderstorm WindBeverly$5,000Trees were blown down on Cow Fork Rd 1 mile southeast of Beverly.
February 2012Thunderstorm WindDorton Branch$5,000Trees were blown down on Petes Blossom Rd south of Cary.
February 2012Thunderstorm WindPineville$5,000Trees were blown down on Dorton Branch Rd north of Pineville.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$5,000There were trees blown down on the right fork of Polly Hollow Rd outside of Middlesboro.
December 2009FloodPonza$5,000Blue Ridge Church Road was washed out in Ponza.
June 2007HailStony Fork Jct$5,000Quarter size hail. Also, multiple large limbs down and power outage. One mile from Harlan County line.
June 2006Thunderstorm WindMiddlesboro$5,000One tree down in Spade Acres in Middlesboro. Trees down on Highway 987 towards Cubage. Power outages in the Ferndale area south of Pineville.
August 2005Thunderstorm WindPineville$5,000Several trees and power lines down in city and county wide.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindGarmeada$5,000Trees were downed and a church was damaged.
May 2010FloodCalvin$4,000Route 1344 was covered with water in most areas with some trees down as well.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindMeldrum$4,000Four trees were blown down.

Mines and quarries

4 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 4 workings inside this county. 1 still produces and 3 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Clay2
Silica1
Sand and Gravel, Construction1

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Hana Sand & Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Levi Polly Sand PitSilicaPast Producer
Hamptonridge Shale Excavation SiteClayProspect
Old Railroad ShaleClayProspect

Every populated place in the county

64

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 2 places that were also surveyed for fire insurance come first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

The vanished settlements of Bell County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Recorded here

Pineville, Kentucky

18 topographic sheets and 8 fire insurance atlases, 1894 to 1941

Middlesboro, Kentucky

28 topographic sheets and 7 fire insurance atlases, 1891 to 1948

Everything this county holds

The complete index, with nothing left out. Each of these is a separate record with its own page: a federal survey report, or the case file that argued a property on to the National Register. Both are public domain and reproduced word for word.

Surveyed structures

4 structures

The vanished settlements of Bell County, the places these records name that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.