Tompkinsville, the seat of Monroe county, is located near the center of the county on KY 63, KY 100, and KY 163. It was settled around the beginning of the nineteenth century and was originally known as Watsons Store, for the store opened by J.C. Watson in 1809. The town was renamed Tompkinsville to honor Daniel D. Tompkins and was made the seat of the Monroe county soon after it was formed in 1819. The Tompkinsville post office opened in 1819. The population in 1990 was 2,861.
