Editing Somerset, Kentucky (section)

==History==
Somerset was first settled in 1798 by Thomas Hansford and received its name from [[Somerset County, New Jersey|Somerset County]], [[New Jersey]], where some of the early settlers had formerly lived. Somerset became the Pulaski County seat in 1801, and was incorporated as a city in 1887. A [[American Civil War|Civil War]] battle was fought in January 1862 at [[Battle of Mill Springs|Mill Springs]] (now "Nancy") about {{convert|8|mi|km}} west of Somerset, and a museum is at the site. A smaller battle was fought nearby at [[Battle of Somerset|Dutton's Hill]] in 1863. In 1875 tracks for the Southern Railway were completed and Somerset saw a population growth and an increase in industry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://somersetpulaskichamber.com/fact-sheet/|title=Fact Sheet - somersetpulaskichamber|date=December 17, 2020|website=somersetpulaskichamber.com}}</ref> In the late 1930s and early 1940s, library services were provided by the [[Pack Horse Library Project|pack horse library]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13530697/|title=Pack-Horse Library Planned in Pulaski|date=25 October 1936|work=The Courier-Journal|access-date=3 September 2017|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/13538387/|title=WPA Library at Somerset Unique|date=4 May 1939|work=The Advocate-Messenger|access-date=3 September 2017|via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The completion of [[Lake Cumberland]] in 1950 transformed Somerset from a sleepy rural community into a recreation center.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}

The [[Center for Rural Development]] in Somerset was established in 1996. It is a [[501c(3)]] [[nonprofit organization]] that describes its mission as follows: "to provide leadership that stimulates innovative and sustainable economic development solutions and a better way of life for the citizens we serve."<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wymt.com/content/news/The-Center-for-Rural-Development-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary--406074115.html|title=The Center for Rural Development celebrates its 20th anniversary|first=Angela|last=Reighard|website=WYMT|date=December 12, 2016}}</ref> The center's programs and services focus on [[public safety]], arts & culture, leadership, and technology.<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=https://centertech.com/about/|title=About|publisher=Center for Rural Development}}</ref>

=== 2025 tornado ===
At least 1 person was killed in Somerset and 17 in the neighboring city of [[London, Kentucky|London]] on the evening of [[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 15–16, 2025|May 16, 2025]], when a [[Tornado outbreak sequence of May 15–16, 2025#Somerset–London, Kentucky|strong tornado]] caused significant damage in the area. A mass casualty incident was declared for Somerset.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.weku.org/the-commonwealth/2025-05-17/reports-of-multiple-tornadoes-in-southern-kentucky-multiple-deaths-reported-in-somerset-and-london |title= Multiple deaths reported in Somerset and London due to late night tornadoes UPDATED |publisher=[[WEKU]] |date=17 May 2025 |access-date=17 May 2025 |first1=Stan |last1=Ingold }}</ref>