Bath County was formed from Montgomery County in 1811 and was named for its many mineral springs. It was the birthplace of CSA General John B. Hood and U.S. Senator Richard H. Menefee. Owingsville was named for Colonel Thomas D. Owings, organizer of the U.S. 28th Infantry Regiment in 1812 and an associate in the ownership and operation of Bourbon Iron Works from 1795 to 1822. The county also hosted Louis Philippe of France during part of his exile in the U.S.