HISTORY

Formed in 1860, Webster County was named in honor of Daniel Webster, the nineteenth century political giant. Webster along with Kentucky's Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun from South Carolina were referred to as the "Great Triumvirate" as they defined the epitome of political statesmanship in the U.S. Senate during the first half of the nineteenth century. Those responsible for naming this newly formed county were likely looking for men like Webster and Clay to lead the country through the difficult times that were developing.
Founded only a year before the first battle of the Civil War ensued, several notable skirmishes were fought in Webster County. In particular, it is believed that the first shot of the Civil War in the state of Kentucky was fired at "The Battle of Burnt Mill" on September 15, 1861, located 10 miles east of Providence in Webster County.