In 1873, the Eastern Kentucky Railway line was extended from Grayson to Willard. Located here were a turntable, water tower, railroad scales, and engine house. Nearby, the Lick Branch and Lost Creek spurs, as well as EK coal mines and a coal camp, existed. In 1892, an angry mob stole the EK train and, south of here, lynched Austin Porter. On Oct. 31, 1905, six men attempted to rob the safe at the bank of Willard but were thwarted by locals. The robbers escaped using an EK engine. They fled afoot up Johns Run and were later captured. In the 1920s, for $7.20 a month, children took the Blue Goose to school from Willard each day.