What is Paintsville Kentucky Known For? An In-Depth Local‘s Guide

Paintsville, Kentucky is a charming small town nestled in the rolling hills of Eastern Kentucky‘s Appalachian Mountains. Though it may seem like just another quiet rural community, Paintsville has plenty of unique claims to fame that make it an interesting place to visit or live. Here‘s an in-depth look at what Paintsville, Kentucky is best known for.

Overview of Paintsville, Kentucky

Paintsville is the county seat of Johnson County, located along the Levisa Fork river in the eastern part of the state. With a population of just over 3,500 residents, it‘s a close-knit community with a rich history.

Paintsville lies within Kentucky‘s coal mining region. The surrounding area is full of lush green mountains, winding backroads, and the remnants of the coal industry that once dominated the local economy. Main Street runs through the heart of downtown Paintsville, and is home to a variety of local shops, restaurants, and businesses.

While small, Paintsville provides residents with parks, a library, hospital, and airport. It also has a vibrant arts scene. Locals enjoy annual festivals, concerts, theater productions, and other cultural events. Education is important in Paintsville, with offerings ranging from preschool to technical college.

Visitors to Paintsville can enjoy outdoor recreation like hiking, fishing, and camping. Popular nearby attractions include Paintsville Lake, The Breaks Interstate Park, and the historic Mayo Mansion. Paintsville also provides easy access to bigger cities like Lexington, KY and Huntington, WV.

Johnson County – Paintsville‘s Home

Paintsville is situated in Johnson County, Kentucky. Johnson County has a population of around 23,000 residents. Originally founded in 1843, the county was named after Richard Mentor Johnson, the 9th Vice President of the United States.

Johnson County is located in the heart of the Appalachian coal mining region. It once had a booming coal industry, though production has declined over the past several decades. Still, remnants of coal mining can be seen throughout the area.

In addition to coal, Johnson County also has a rich agricultural history. Local farmers grow crops like tobacco, wheat, corn, and soybeans. Cattle farms are also common in the area surrounding Paintsville.

Johnson County is classified as a "moist" county when it comes to alcohol sales. This means that wine and beer can be sold in certain establishments, but liquor sales are prohibited. Restaurants may offer beer and wine so long as it accompanies a meal.

Hometown of Country Music Stars

One of Paintsville‘s best known claims to fame is as the hometown of multiple famous country music singers. Most notably, it is where Johnny Cash and his wife June Carter Cash were born and raised.

Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas but moved to Paintsville as a young child. He lived in Paintsville from the age of 3 until graduating high school. Johnny began playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager in Paintsville. Years later, he credited his time growing up in rural Kentucky as a major influence on his music.

June Carter Cash was also born in Paintsville, though her family moved around during her childhood as part of a traveling music act. June returned frequently to visit extended family in the Paintsville area. She and Johnny first met backstage at the Grand Ole Opry when June was a young adult.

Paintsville pays homage to its famous native son and daughter at the annual Johnny Cash Music Festival. Musicians from around the country gather in Paintsville each spring to play concerts celebrating Cash‘s legacy. Fans can tour Johnny Cash‘s childhood home, which has been converted to a museum. A larger Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and Museum is also located just outside Paintsville.

In addition to the Cash family, country singer Tom T. Hall and Grand Ole Opry star Thelma Louvin were also born in Johnson County. Actor George Clooney is another Paintsville native who went on to become famous in Hollywood.

Flood of 2019

In recent history, one of the most significant events to impact Paintsville was the flood of 2019. On February 6, 2019, heavy rainfall led to extensive flooding along the Levisa Fork and Big Sandy rivers in Eastern Kentucky.

In Paintsville, flood waters reached up to 6 feet high in some areas. Many downtown businesses and homes sat directly in the path of flooding. Residents were evacuated to emergency shelters. Some had to be rescued from their flooded houses by boat.

The Paintsville Fire Department was at the forefront of rescue efforts. Working with other local and state emergency responders, they helped evacuate residents to safety. Flood waters damaged homes, businesses, roads, and water/sewer infrastructure.

After the waters receded, came the massive cleanup effort. Volunteers, charitable organizations, and government agencies pitched in to help residents recover. The community came together, but the 2019 flood was one of the biggest disasters in Paintsville‘s history. Flooding continues to be an issue faced by the town when heavy regional rainfalls occur.

Home of Paintsville Lake

Paintsville Lake is a major recreational attraction located just 5 miles from downtown Paintsville. Built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1973, the lake was created by damming the Levisa Fork river.

At over 3,000 acres, Paintsville Lake offers boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, picnicking, and camping. The scenic lake is surrounded by forested hills. Visitors can rent boats and kayaks, or bring their own. Campgrounds and picnic shelters are available.

Paintsville Lake State Park sits on a peninsula extending into the lake. The park features wooded hiking trails, lake access, and a 9-hole golf course. Visitors will also find a nice lodge, restaurant, and gift shop.

As the largest lake in Eastern Kentucky, Paintsville Lake is popular among anglers. Fish like bass, bluegill, catfish, and crappie draw both casual and competitive fishermen. Annual fishing tournaments are held by local clubs. Hunting for deer, turkey, and other game is also popular in season.

Between the lake itself and the state park, Paintsville Lake is the area‘s biggest attraction. It provides recreation, scenic views, and an economic boost to the region.

Historic Downtown District

Paintsville‘s downtown area along Main Street contains a number of historic buildings and landmarks. The downtown district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Notable sites include:

Mayo Mansion – This mansion was built in 1895 by local businessman John C.C. Mayo. It has been restored to its Victorian grandeur, complete with original furniture, and is now a museum.
Johnson County Courthouse – The historic courthouse was built in 1909 and features a striking 3-story clock tower. It continues to house county offices.
U.S. Post Office Building – This beautiful brick post office was constructed in 1913. It contains WPA-era marble mural paintings inside.
Paintsville Methodist Church – The town‘s first church was established here in 1834. The current church building dates to 1901.
Mine Portal – A old rock mine portal can be spotted across the river. It offers a glimpse of the region‘s mining history.
Main Street – The buildings lining Main Street make up the heart of the downtown historic district. Local restaurants, shops, banks, and offices operate out of these renovated spaces.

This downtown area gives visitors a feel for Paintsville‘s long history and unique culture. The city hosts walking tours and events here throughout the year.

Annual Festivals & Events

Paintsville hosts a variety of popular annual festivals and events that highlight local music, food, and culture:

Johnny Cash Music Festival – This festival launched in 2002 pays tribute to Paintsville native son Johnny Cash through concerts, tours, and more.
Mountain Heritage Festival – Each September, this festival celebrates Appalachian culture with music, food, crafts, contests, and attractions.
Johnson County Fair – Every August, the county fair comes to Paintsville for rides, games, competitions, concerts, demolition derbies, and agricultural exhibits.
Christmas in the Park – Main Street park lights up each November with a Christmas tree, light displays, Santa, carols, hot chocolate, carriage rides, and shopping.
The Taste of Our Towns – Area restaurants provide samples of signature dishes at this annual tasting event in downtown Paintsville.
Red Hot Summer Nights – Every Friday night June-August, downtown Paintsville hosts free concerts, vendors, and classic car cruise-ins.

These festivals bring the community together while providing fun entertainment. They highlight local culture and give visitors a warmPaintsville welcome.

Education Hub

As the county seat, Paintsville acts as an education hub for Johnson County and surrounding areas. Educational offerings in Paintsville include:

Paintsville Independent School District – Serves students in the Paintsville area with three public schools – elementary, middle, and high.
Johnson County Schools – Operates eight other public schools throughout the county district.
Big Sandy Community and Technical College – Provides career-focused associate‘s degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs.
Mayo Technical College – Offers programs for skilled trades like welding, carpentry, cosmetology, and medical assisting.
Paul B. Hall Medical Training Center – Trains students for certification as EMTs, paramedics, and other healthcare roles.
East Kentucky Science Center – Hands-on children‘s science museum located at Big Sandy Community College.

This range of education options allows Paintsville students to pursue technical training, college academics, or other career development right in their hometown.

Outdoors and Recreation

In addition to Paintsville Lake, there are plenty more opportunities for enjoying the outdoors around Paintsville, including:

Hiking – Trails wind through scenic areas like Paintsville Lake State Park, Daniel Boone National Forest, Auxier Ridge, and Zebulon Mountain.
Fishing – In addition to Paintsville Lake, anglers can cast lines at nearby Charles Bowling Lake, Mine Fork Lake, and Levisa Fork River.
Camping – Paintsville Lake, Daniel Boone National Forest, and private campgrounds offer tent and RV camping facilities.
Boating – Houseboats, pontoons, fishing boats, and jet skis are popular watercraft to enjoy on Paintsville Lake.
Golf – Play a round at Paintsville Country Club or the Paintsville Lake State Park Golf Course.
Biking – The scenic country roads surrounding Paintsville provide a nice biking challenge. Mountain biking trails can also be found nearby.
ATV Trails – Off-road ATV enthusiasts have over 34 miles of designated trails to explore in the area.

With so many ways to get active outdoors, Paintsville is a recreation destination for visitors and locals alike.

Thriving Arts Scene

One may not expect a small Appalachian town to have an active arts scene, but Paintsville delivers quality artistic offerings including:

Paintsville Theatre – This restored 1948 movie palace hosts plays and musicals put on by local performers.
Kentucky Opry – At Butcher Hollow Studio, this musical variety show replicates the nostalgia of old radio shows.
Mountain Arts Center – This performing arts venue located at Prestonsburg Community College hosts concerts, theater, dance programs, and art exhibits.
Jenny Wiley Theatre – Kentucky‘s largest outdoor amphitheater near Prestonsburg runs concerts, musicals, and drama shows.
Halfway House Art Gallery – Local artists display and sell paintings, pottery, jewelry, quilts, and more.
Music concerts – From local bands to big names like Dwight Yoakam, concerts happen regularly.

Whether you like plays, bluegrass music, art sales, or musicals, Paintsville delivers quality options for arts and culture.

Rich History

Founded in 1834, Paintsville has nearly 190 years of history. Some interesting historical facts include:

Settled as early as 8000 BC by ancient peoples. Native Shawnee tribes later inhabited the area.
Early industry included gristmills, lumber, coal mines, salt production, iron forges, and freighting on the Big Sandy River.
Served as a trading center on the Louisa to Pound Gap stagecoach road in the 1800s.
Strategic riverboat port that enabled commerce and trade in the frontier era.
Rail lines built in the 1900s accelerated coal mining and economic growth.
Devastating floods have hit the town in 1876, 1957, 1977, and 2019.
Notable past residents include Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson, Governor William Jason Fields, and Congressman Albert W. Barkley.

From its Native American roots to today, Paintsville has a compelling past. Visitors can learn more at the Johnson County Historical Society and Mayo Mansion museums.

Accessible Location

Despite being a small town, Paintsville enjoys a relatively accessible location. It is within reasonable driving distance of several larger cities:

Lexington, KY – 2 hours
Charleston, WV – 2.5 hours
Knoxville, TN – 3.5 hours
Louisville, KY – 4 hours
Nashville, TN – 5 hours
Cincinnati, OH – 5 hours

Paintsville is located just off Highway 23, a major 4-lane north-south route through Eastern Kentucky. It also has access to Highway 40 and Highway 460. The nearby Big Sandy Regional Airport offers daily flights to Charlotte, NC via Delta airlines.

So whether coming from within Kentucky or a stopover on a trip through Appalachia, Paintsville is easy to get to. Visitors will find plenty of hotel rooms, dining options, and amenities.

Unique Local Dining

Paintsville has a nice selection of locally owned restaurants that reflect the town‘s Appalachian spirit:

Texas Roadhouse Grill – Steakhouse known for hand-cut steaks, ribs, and cheery staff.
Panda Garden – Authentic made-from-scratch Chinese food using old family recipes.
Sherri‘s Cozy Cafe – Quaint breakfast and lunch cafe praised for huge portions and downhome cooking.
Pugmire‘s Old Fashioned Soda Fountain – Counter service joint serving classic sandwiches, ice cream floats, and nostalgic vibes.
Back Home on the Farm – Farm-to-table restaurant sourcing local meat and produce.
Packhouse Fish and BBQ – Laidback spot for smoked brisket, pulled pork, catfish, and local sides.

Foodies will enjoy exploring these and other local eateries. Be sure to also check out bakeries, coffee shops, and diners around town.

Small Town Charm

More than any single attraction, the biggest draw of Paintsville is its quintessential small town charm. Locals describe life in Paintsville as laidback, friendly, and community oriented. Families plant deep generational roots here.

With its scenic views and Main Street buildings, Paintsville seems like a scene out of the 1950s. The downtown area is lively with shops, but never rushed. Neighbors stop to chat at the post office. Regulars drink coffee and trade gossip at local cafes.

While opportunities exist in bigger cities, many choose to stay because of Paintsville‘s sense of community. Raising children here comes with safety, easy access to nature, and a great school system. Retirees find Paintsville offers all needed amenities without losing that welcoming small town vibe.

Paintsville has all the benefits of a rural community, paired with the artistic and cultural offerings of a much larger town. For visitors and residents alike, that special small town charm makes Paintsville an inviting place to call home.