Rumsey, Kentucky

Unincorporated community in Kentucky, United States

37°31′55″N 87°15′29″W / 37.53194°N 87.25806°W / 37.53194; -87.25806CountryUnited StatesStateKentuckyCountyMcLeanElevation

381 ft (116 m)Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST)) • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)ZIP codes

42371

GNIS feature ID502467^[1]

Rumsey is an unincorporated community in McLean County, Kentucky, United States.

History

Rumsey had its start in the 1830s when a lock and dam was built at that point on the Green River.^[2] Rumsey was incorporated in 1839.^[3] It is named either for Kentucky Congressman Edward Rumsey or his uncle, James Rumsey, who invented the steamboat. Historian Otto Rothert records that the most commonly accepted explanation is that the community's citizens wanted to name it in honor of Edward Rumsey, but Rumsey declined their offer out of modesty, whereupon they compromised by retaining the name "Rumsey" and declaring it to be in honor of his uncle, James.^[4]

Geography

The community is located in the central part of McLean County at coordinates 37°31′55″N 87°15′29″W / 37.53194°N 87.25806°W / 37.53194; -87.25806. It is located along the southern banks of the Green River opposite county seat Calhoun. Kentucky Routes 81 and 138 traverses the community.^[5]

References

^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Rumsey, Kentucky
^ Rennick, Robert M. Kentucky Place Names. University Press of Kentucky. p. 258. ISBN 0-8131-2631-2.
^ Collins, Lewis (1877). History of Kentucky. p. 597.
^ Rothert, Otto Arthur (1913). A History of Muhlenberg County. J.P. Morton. p. 81.
^ DeLorme (2010). Kentucky Atlas & Gazetteer (Map). 1:150000. Yarmouth, ME: DeLorme. p. 45. § G8. ISBN 0-89933-340-0.