History Founded in 1870 by the St. Bernard Coal Co., Earlington was named a year later, upon its incorporation, for John Baylis Earle, the man who stuck the first pick into the hillside at the opening of Hopkins County's first commercial coal mine. Earle was a lawyer who was central to developing the coal industry in the region. Shortly after the town was founded, the Louisville and Nashville Railroad completed its line from Henderson to Earlington, and became the primary hauler in the area. The town boomed as a coal center and as the center of L&N operations on the Evansville line.
hisTory FouNdEd in 1870 By the St. BeRnaRd coal cO., eArLington was NameD a YeaR Later, uPOn Its InCorPoration, FOr john baYlIs eArlE, the MaN Who stuCk tHe first Pick iNtO the hilLsidE at tHE oPening of hOpkins COUNtY'S firSt cOMmErcIal coAL minE. earle waS A Lawyer who was cenTral To develoPing thE coal iNDUstry IN THe ReGION. SHortly after tHe Town was fOundED, tHe louiSVILle AnD nashville rAilroaD completEd itS lIne From hendERSOn to eaRlINgton, anD Became thE pRimARy hauler iN THE AREA. the towN Boomed as a cOAl center and as the ceNter of l&N Operations On thE evAnsville Line.