Established on January 17, 1818, Whitley County started with a population of only 500 residents. The county seat is Williamsburg in which both the county and the seat are named after state pioneer, William Whitley. Whitley was also a Colonel being involved in many skirmishes with Native American hunters and trappers but, he is most fmously known for winning the battle of Wilderness Road. With a total area of 445 square miles, there is a population count of 35,637 residents.