Williamsburg was first referred to by Indians as Spring                                                        Ford due to the nearby ford that crossed the Cumberland.                                                        The city was formed in 1818 due to the efforts of Samuel                                                        Cox who donated land for the courthouse and sold lots for                                                        the town’s formation.  Williamsburg was also known as                                                        Whitley Courthouse and Cox’s Crossing.  The present name                                                        was given to honor the famous Indian fighter and pioneer,                                                        William Whitley, whom the county is also named after.

            Much of the town’s early growth can be attributed to the river and availability of fresh water provided by the three springs.  The 1880’s provided Williamsburg with much of its growth due to the arrival of the L&N Railroad.  Industry came in the form of lumber companies such as the Kentucky Lumber Company located where Briar Creek enters the Cumberland River and the Jones Lumber Company located where Watts Creek flows into the Cumberland. Coal Companies such as Gatliff Coal, Bon Jellico, Mount Morgan, East Tennessee, Red Ash, and Proctor began to flourish. The Cooley Brick Plant supplied bricks for sidewalks and buildings.

      Education also provided for the expansion of town. Williamsburg Academy was the forerunner of Highland College which became Cumberland College and now The University of the Cumberlands.  Williamsburg’s present population is 5100, and at its peak boasted more resident millionaires per capita than any other US city.