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History · Allen

Allen dates to 1913

Most of Allen was built recently: 6% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1968. Below: maps from 1916 on and the census since 1920.

1913founded
0on the National Register
6%homes built before 1940
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Photo: Brian Stansberry (photographer) · CC BY 4.0
Quick answers

How Allen began

When was Allen founded?

1913

Allen dates its founding to 1913 (Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history agree). The census first counted it in 1920.

First census: 216 in 19202020 census: 182113 years
Founding year: Wikidata; Wikipedia’s history section gives the same year.The full story ↓

What stands out about Allen’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Allen are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.Boom and bustPeaked at 724 in 1970; 182 people lived here in 2020.On the map since 19164 editions of the USGS map, 1916 to 1992. Watch Allen change.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Allen’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Allen’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
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People over time

Allen, census by census

0200400600800192019401960198020002020Peak: 724

Peaked at 724 in 1970; 182 people lived here in 2020.

11 censuses, 1920–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Allen’s Wikipedia page.

On the map

Allen on the map, 1916 to 1992

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Allen. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Allen on the 1916 USGS mapAllen on the 1954 USGS mapAllen on the 1979 USGS mapAllen on the 1992 USGS map1916Harold sheet · 1:62,500

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Allen.

The story

How Allen came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Allen.

Read it all →

Allen was first settled in the early 19th century. The first post office was named "Mouth of Beaver" and was established on August 21, 1854 (Thomas P. Johns, postmaster). The town began to develop rapidly c. 1904-1905 after the establishment of a Chesapeake and Ohio Railway station. The station was interchangeably known as "Beaver Creek" and "Beaver Creek Junction". In 1905, another post office opened and was named "Allen" after local resident T.J. Allen. The town was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1913. In 1936, the railroad station was renamed to prevent confusion during mail delivery. An area outside the city limits known as "New Allen" began to develop in 1937 after a bridge was constructed across the Levisa Fork River.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Timeline

Allen, 1913 to 1970

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 20th century
  2. 1913
    FoundingAllen is established
  3. 1916On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  4. 1970CensusPopulation peaks at 724
By decade

Allen, decade by decade

Today4 recent
Allen-from-RR-tracks-ky2018Allen-from-RR-tracks-kyAllen-RR-tracks-ky2018Allen-RR-tracks-kyAllen-L&C-Guns-ky2018Allen-L&C-Guns-kyAllen-Floyd-County-Schools-ky2018Allen-Floyd-County-Schools-ky
Famous people

Famous people close to Allen

Nobody well known was born in Allen itself, so here are the best known from just nearby.

See all →
B
Boyd HolbrookAmerican actor and former model · b. 1981
Dwight YoakamAmerican country singer-songwriter, actor, and … · b. 1956
Crystal GayleAmerican country music singer · b. 1951
P
Patty LovelessAmerican country music singer · b. 1957
George B. MartinDemocrat member of the United States Senate · b. 1876
Mark ReynoldsAmerican baseball player · b. 1983
Places that used to be

Old corners

Old hamlets and crossroads still carry their names on the map.

Hamlets and corners on the map
Allen CityBeaver JunctionNew Allen

Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

Questions about Allen’s history

What year was Allen founded?

In 1913, according to Wikidata and Wikipedia’s history of the town. the census of 1920 counted 216 people here.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikimedia Commons (4), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.