The county was founded in 1842 and is named after former governor Robert P Letcher, who was governor of the state from 1840 to 1844. It is also the county seat to Whitesburg which is located in the more southeastern part of the state as you will see when you look at the photo below. The county is also the county seat to Jenkins which is the largest city within the county which is also home to Highland Winery, which is the only exception of alcohol allowed for the county seeing as how it is listed as a “dry” county. Almost 23,000 residents (22,899 to be exact according to the bereau) call this area of 339 square miles home sweet home.