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Look for Great Deals and Coupons **** Footsteps of history **** Community Mottos & Nicknames **** Choose a new Community in Kentucky **** Choose a new State **** Washington D.C. Our Nation's Capital **** **** **** **** **** **** **** Ashland, KY Self Storage	Welcome to Key to the City's page for Van Lear Johnson County, Kentucky Zip Code The Kentucky state capital is Frankfort. What would you like to know about Van Lear Statistics & Facts Location Weather & Climate History & History-related items Van Lear historical events. City Attractions Van Lear Government Van Lear Community events. Van Lear Organizations, Churches, and Sports. Van Lear Schools. Zip Codes 41265 Return to Index Statistics & Facts The population of Van Lear is approximately 2,075 (2000). The approximate number of families is 438 (1990). The amount of land area in Van Lear is 13.974 sq. kilometers. The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers. The distance from Van Lear to Washington DC is 334 miles. The distance to the Kentucky state capital is 123 miles. (as the crow flies) Van Lear is positioned 37.76 degrees north of the equator and 82.75 degrees west of the prime meridian. Van Lear elevation is 689 feet above sea level. Van Lear per capita income is $15,993 (2000). Van Lear median income is $27,862 (2000). The Van Lear median home price is $89,800 (2000). Van Lear miscellany. Return to Index Location Van Lear location: in the south-eastern section of Johnson County in eastern Kentucky. Here is a map page for the Van Lear area. Other nearby communities include West Van Lear, Auxier, Hagerhill, Thealka, Paintsville, Williamsport, Boons Camp, Staffordsville, Leander, Swamp Branch, Riceville and Prestonsburg. Return to Index Climate & Weather Van Lear average annual rainfall is 44.6 inches per year Van Lear average annual snowfall is 25.1 inches per year. Return to Index History & History Related Items Van Lear history: Van Lear, Kentucky, was incorporated in 1912 in Johnson County. Named for Van Lear Black, a director of Consolidation Coal Company, the town owes its existence to the entrepreneurial efforts of John Caldwell Calhoun Mayo, born in Pike County, Kentucky, who taught in a one-room school near the confluence of Miller's Creek and Sorghum Hollow. Mayo bought coal rights to lands along Miller's Creek in Johnson County and along Elkhorn Creek in Letcher County, and later sold those rights to Northern Coal and Coke which was later acquired by Consolidation Coal Company of Maryland. Van Lear Black loaned that Company money to construct five miles of railroad into the Johnson County property, and the town was subsequently named for him. Ultimately, five mines were opened, and the reputation of Miller's Creek block coal as a highly desirable domestic heating coal soon grew. Consolidation operated these mines from 1910 through 1946 when the company divested itself of its Miller's Creek properties. Individuals then residing in the company houses were given first chance to purchase their homes, and many of them did. The town, however, went into decline. Ultimately, most of the major buildings were torn down, the railroad removed. In 1981, a first-ever school reunion was held. The following year, the non-profit Van Lear Historical Society was organized, adopting as its aim the preservation of the town's history for former, present, and future citizens of Van Lear. In 1983, another school reunion was held in concert with a town celebration, and more than eight hundred people attended, most of them former residents and/or descendants of Van Lear miner families. School reunions are now held every even-numbered year, and the town reunions continue as annual events. A quarterly newsletter is avialable for a $10 annual contribution to the Van Lear Historical Society, Van Lear, Kentucky 41265 See this page about Van Lear and its history, complete with many pictures from long ago and not so long ago. Also try this page.. This brief history page has one nice picture from about 1920. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's grandfather, Warren Delano, was an early director of Consolidation Coal Company Van Lear Black's yacht, "The Sabalo", transported FDR to Campobello Island in August of 1910, the year that the future president was struck down by polio. Black's Fidelity Trust loaned Consol money with which to construct five miles of railroad to the company's five mines along Miller's Creek. The town was named for him. Loretta Lynn's childhood home still stands "up Butcher Holler" at the head of Van Lear and Miller's Creek. Her brother Herman owns and operates the old store near the site of Mine #155, and conducts tours of the home. The incorporation date of Van Lear: 1912 Return to Index Attractions Van Lear attractions: The Coal Miners' Museum The museum is open Monday - Saturday 11:00am - 6:00pm. Admission price is $4.00/adult $2.00/seniors over 55 Children 12 and under FREE Contact the museum for group rates and special programs. Phone: 606-789-8540 Fax: same, but call ahead Email 78 Miller's Creek Road P.O. Box 369 Van Lear, KY 41265 Also included on this page are links to many old photos of Van Lear. A great page for Van Lear history. Things to see and do in the Van Lear area Rucker Park A community park and playground owned and operated by the Van Lear Historical Society, Inc. The facility has a picnic shelter, a retired C&O Railroad caboose, volleyball court, basketball court, swings, and other playground equipment for small children. Restrooms are available for booked events. The park is open to the general public during daylight hours. Small children are expected to be supervised by an adult and park rules are posted. Drugs and Alcohol are prohibited. For special events call the Van Lear Historical Society at : (606) 789-8540 or (606) 789 - 9725 or email: admin@vanlear.org The Van Lear Historical Society, Inc. is NOT responsible for items stolen or personal injuries incurred at Rucker Park. NOTED NOTABLES Loretta Lynn - Country Singer - To the northeast of Van Lear is the valley known as Butcher Hollow, the birthplace of musician Loretta Lynn. She mentioned, "my daddy worked all night in the Van Lear coal mines" in her hit song,"Coal Miner's Daughter". Loretta had three siblings to go on to record on major record labels, Jay Lee Webb, Peggy Sue and Crystal Gayle. A page with information and links about Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, & the Lynns Loretta Lynn and family are not the only stars who Have a Van Lear connection. In an early album of singer/actor, Dwight Yoakum mentioned the "Van Lear mine" in a song entitled,"The Miner's Prayer". Marty Roe of the country music supergroup, Diamond Rio also has ties to the town. Rowe's grandfather worked the mines at Van Lear. Return to Index Contribute information free or for a small service charge for this community or any other community in the USA Be sure to include the name of the community and its state when contacting Key to the City as you are NOT directly contacting this community. Learn how to advertise on Key to the City Choose a new community in the state of Kentucky To go to a new state, choose the States page To choose another state, go to the State page. Return to the Top USA City Directory and US City Resource Guide - Key to the City Thanks for visiting Key to the City. Come back again! We'll leave the light on for you! 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