Hazard was founded in 1790 by Elijah Combs and his seven brothers. Coal is believed to have been discovered here 39 years earlier by Christopher Gist, a land scout for the Ohio Land Company of Virginia. The history of the area's coal and lumber industries and the coming of the railroad in the early 1900s are featured in the Bobby Davis Museum (free, M-F 8:30-4:30, 234 Walnut, 606/439-4325, handicapped accessible). The adjacent park has an herb garden, picnic area and scenic walks. Hazard's visitor center is at 601 Main Street, M-F 8:30-4:30, 606/439-2659.