Rooted in history,
resilient by nature
Welcome to Catlettsburg, Kentucky, where the Big Sandy and Ohio Rivers meet and Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia come together. Rooted in history and resilient by nature, our city is blossoming with pride as strong traditions, welcoming neighbors, and new opportunities grow along the riverfront we proudly call home.
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*Coming Soon
Meet the leaders who represent Catlettsburg, explore upcoming agendas, and stay connected with your local government.
Billy C. Clark,
Hall of Fame author
from Catlettsburg, Kentucky
Billy C. Clark wrote memoir, fiction and poetry about his life and river culture along the Kentucky-West Virginia border, where the Big Sandy flows into the Ohio at Catlettsburg. His mother was determined that he would be born on the Kentucky side of those rivers.
Port of Catlettsburg, KY
Gateway to the Big Sandy
Catlettsburg’s history flows with the water along the riverfront. From the days when steamboats and log rafts lined the bends of the Big Sandy, this port has witnessed it all. Today, it’s your peaceful overlook on summer evenings. The perfect spot for fishing, having a picnic, or taking in a landscape where Kentucky, Ohio, and West Virginia all come into view. Come stand at the junction of past and present. Welcome to the Gateway to the Big Sandy.
History of Catlettsburg, KY
Catlettsburg began as a humble trading post on the Ohio River, where Alexander and Horatio Catlett welcomed westward travelers at their log inn and post office. Over the centuries, it grew into a thriving river port, timber hub, and railroad junction. Now, as Boyd County’s seat, it anchors local leadership and community life. Its streets and landmarks, from Civil War supply points to rail depots, tell a story of resilience and progress. Among its most notable legacies is Mary Elliott Flanery, a Catlettsburg resident who, in 1921, became the first woman elected to the Kentucky Legislature, marking a milestone for both the town and the Commonwealth. Catlettsburg’s history lives on in every corner of the city.
