The fifty-ninth county in order of formation, Whitley County is located in southeastern Kentucky along the Tennessee state line. It is bordered by Bell, Knox, Laurel, and McCreary counties and has an area of 443 square miles. The county was formed on 17 Jan 1818 from Knox County and was named for Col. William Whitley, a Kentucky pioneer and Indian fighter.
The county seat, Williamsburg , was originally known as Whitley Courthouse. It was established in 1818 and incorporated in 1827. The city is located along the Cumberland River and is home to the University of the Cumberlands.