early 1900s. A. R. Dyche, who ran the London Mountain Eagle newspaper, acquired the merged Sentinel Echo and his descendents operated the newspaper for four generations. It is currently the oldest business still operating in London.
Dyche’ s son, Russell Dyce, was instrumental in the progression of London and Laurel County, establishing Levi Jackson Park and the Laurel County Homecoming, improving roadways within the county, and taking a stand for political and social issues through the newspaper.
Through its history, London and Laurel County have remained a hotspot in the southeastern region, being a stronghold for the Republican party and an active part of the“ Bible Belt” with strong religious affiliations. With forests, streams and lakes, the area has become a tourist attraction for outdoor activities while the city hosts numerous summer concerts and events at Town Center Park, so named for London’ s first motel, Town Center.
The construction of Interstate 75 in the 1960s brought massive growth to the London and Laurel County area, as well as weather related disasters. A tornado in 1973 damaged property in eastern Laurel County, with another tornado in 2001 causing damage to homes and businesses in downtown London. The tornado in 2011 took the lives of 6 people in the East Bernstadt community, with damages to homes in Hawk Creek in the Swiss Colony area. An E-4 tornado in May 2025 resulted in the devastation of homes, businesses and property. claiming the lives of 18 people. Just 3 months earlier, several homes were flooded from excessive rainfall, with dropping temperatures and snowfall 3 days later further complicating the damages. The establishment of industrial parks brought new businesses and jobs to the area in the 1990s, with a seventh industrial park now underway off West KY 80. Entrepreneurs continue to launch businesses, while eateries and recreation continues to
draw residents and tourists to the area.
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Page 10— The Sentinel-Echo • Community Guide 2026