Havilandsville

At a Glance

• Founded: 8 Apr 1842
• Location: North border of Harrison County, Ky.
• Primary Waterway: Richland Creek and Licking River
• Known For: Woolen Factory, Fabric Mills, Tobacco, Meat Processing
• Status: Extinct
• Population: It was reported that there were 650 residents at its height.

History

From February 9, 1833, to April 8, 1842, a post office called Travellers Rest was operated by Robert Rawlings just north of Richland Creek in the southeastern corner of Pendleton County, Kentucky. On April 8, 1842, when Robert S. Haviland became postmaster, the office was moved approximately one mile east to his store at the point where Richland Creek crosses the Harrison County line, about a mile above the main Licking River but within Harrison County.

It was at this location that the New York City–born Robert S. Haviland (1796–1858) had already established himself as a local entrepreneur. He had opened a store there in 1832 and later developed a woolen and cotton factory, a sawmill, and two grist mills. Around these enterprises, a community grew, and Haviland formally laid out a town which he named Havilandsville for himself. The post office adopted this name as well.

By the 1850s, Havilandsville had become an important industrial and trade center in the region. The town supported meat-packing and tobacco factories and featured a landing on the river from which locally produced goods were shipped to several national markets. Following the Civil War, the post office underwent a number of short-distance site changes within the area.

The Havilandsville post office ultimately closed in August 1926. Today, this former county-line community, located approximately sixteen miles north of Cynthiana, Kentucky, is virtually extinct and is not even identified on published maps.

Maps & Location

Industry & Commerce

Havilandsville then consisted of the factory, two stores, blacksmith shop, post office, several nice residences, and log houses used for employees of the different forms of business.

Post Office & Government

The post office moved from Traveller’s Rest to a bend in the Richland Creek in 1842. It was renamed Havilandsville.