City of Harlan

Located in southeastern Kentucky, Harlan is one of the oldest of Kentucky’s 120 counties. In the midst of the Appalachian coalfields and the county seat of Harlan County, Harlan is known mostly for it’s rich coal history and beautiful scenery. Harlan was originally named “Mount Pleasant” due to a nearby Indian burial mound. In 1912 the Kentucky General Assembly renamed “Mount Pleasant” to Harlan since there was already a “Mount Pleasant” in the state.

Harlan is also a place to experience old fashioned downtown shopping. The downtown historic district of Harlan is home to several shops where you can find everything from clothing to paint and wallpaper. Southern hospitality and a beautiful environment makes Harlan a special Kentucky town.