The courthouse that stood here from 1899 to 1963 was a landmark of Kentucky's "feudin' 'n' fightin'." Stemming from the Civil War, feuds and political disagreements led to unnumbered slayings, ambushes, and assassinations between 1870 and 1920. In 11 months in 1901-02, 40 men were slain. Probably 100 Breathitt County officials were killed in that era of the past.