Editing Williamsburg, Kentucky (section)

==History==

Williamsburg was first known by early European-American settlers as the Spring Ford, after a nearby ford crossing the [[Cumberland River]]. On April 19, 1818, the first meeting of the Whitley County Court was held at Samuel Cox's dwelling.<ref name="williamsburgky.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.williamsburgky.com/historical/history_of_whitley_county/index.php|title=History of Whitley County}}</ref> This first court appointed local officials as well as constables to work with the county militia. The town was known simply as Whitley Courthouse. In 1882, the city was renamed as Williamsburgh, and the spelling was changed in 1890 to the current Williamsburg.

The town's initial growth was fueled by three freshwater springs in the area. Settlers were attracted to this water source. They later developed coal mining and lumber industries, based on natural resources of the area.

Construction of the [[Louisville and Nashville Railroad]] (L&N) to the town in 1883 stimulated new growth. It connected the town to far-flung markets and attracted new residents and trade. Shortly thereafter in 1886, the town elected W. H. Parker as its first mayor.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.williamsburgky.com/historical/history_of_williamsburg_city_government/index.php|title=History of Williamsburg City Government}}</ref>

This first city government enacted a number of new ordinances including:

* Prohibiting "Bawdy Houses" (brothels)
* Prohibiting Gambling
* Prohibiting Fornication
* Prohibiting Rolling Hoops on Sidewalks
* Prohibiting Barbering on Sundays 
* Prohibiting Unattended Cattle on Main Street

The Williamsburg school system was established in 1909; the town residents voted to consolidate the multiple single-room schools in the area into a unified school district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.williamsburgky.com/historical/history_of_williamsburg_city_school/index.php|title=History of Williamsburg City School}}</ref> The first consolidated school building was destroyed by fire in 1926. It was rebuilt for the school administration. Later the structure was adapted as the Anderson Building, which is used in the early 21st century by the [[University of the Cumberlands]]. The school district moved to its current location in 1983.

The county courthouse was destroyed by fire in 1931. It was rebuilt at the time. Forty years later, it underwent a major renovation to bring it up to standards of 1971. In 2011, the newly constructed Whitley County Judicial Center was completed adjacent to the old courthouse, and the courts moved to the new building.<ref name="williamsburgky.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://courts.ky.gov/courtprograms/judicialconstruction/Pages/whitley.aspx|title=Judicial Center Construction}}</ref>