International Harvester established Benham in 1911 as a self-contained coal mining community. After railroad tracks spurred up the Looney Creek valley, International Harvester shipped in lumber, stone, and steel to build everything in Benham. Soon after, they shipped in laborers to populate the community and work the underground mines.

The high-grade coal found in the Benham mines fed the explosive growth of northern steel industries. Benham mines and town were owned and operated by Wisconsin Steel, a subsidiary of International Harvester

"Yowell" was Benham's original name, given by early settlers who heard the growl of mountain wildcats, a creature that lurked under the shadows of Benham Spur.

Another legend describes that Benham Spur bore the name of a hunter, or perhaps a Civil War deserter, whose body had been found torn to pieces by a wild animal.

The post office was established as Yowell in 1900 with Henry M. Blair as post master and became know as Benham on July 23, 1911.

Benham's town center is a National Register Site.

Kentucky Coal Mining Museum Car & Truck Show, 1rst Weekend in May

Tri-City Grand Renunion
2nd Weekend of June

Sleepy Hollow Golf Course Invitational Tournament
Labor Day Weekend

Benham Fall Festival
2nd Week of September

Kingdom Come Swappin' Meetin'
First Weekend in October

Coal Miner's Days
2nd Weekend in October

Benham School House Inn
30 Units, Apple Tree Restaurant
100 Central Ave.
Benham, Ky 40823
1-800-231-0627

Cumberland Motel
36 Units
2203 E. Main St.
Cumberland, KY
606-589-2181

Plaza Motel
76 Units
US 119N
Cumberland, KY
606-589-4911