Hazard, Kentucky

Hazard, Kentucky perches in a valley surrounded by the craggy mountaintops of the Eastern Highlands, and is known as "The Queen City of the Mountains." The seat of KY’s Perry County, Hazard reports a population of 4,867 (Census 2006 estimate data). Perry County’s population is just over 29,000. The city of Hazard is home to the county's government offices and the Perry County Courthouse. 

Like Pikeville, Hazard was named after a soldier who settled in the area. The county and city were named for American naval hero Commodore Oliver-Hazard Perry, who fought and won against the British in the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812.

Much like the cities of Ashland and Paintsville, Hazard is rich in natural resources. Hazard and Perry County's history is tied to the coal and lumber industries. Coal plays such a large part of the town's history that it hosts an annual celebration known as the Black Gold Festival.

The city is often mistaken for being the basis of the popular television show, "The Dukes of Hazard" which was actually based on a fictional county in Georgia.

Though it is far from larger cities such as Versailles, Lexington, Winchester, and Richmond, it is a city that plays an important role in Kentucky's rich history.