Rumsey had its start in the 1830s when a lock and dam was built at that point on the Green River.[2] Rumsey was incorporated in 1839.[3] It is named either for Kentucky CongressmanEdward Rumsey or his uncle, James Rumsey, who invented the steamboat. Historian Otto Rothert records that the most commonly accepted explanation is that the community's citizens wanted to name it in honor of Edward Rumsey, but Rumsey declined their offer out of modesty, whereupon they compromised by retaining the name "Rumsey" and declaring it to be in honor of his uncle, James.[4]
