Viper, Kentucky

Viper is a Perry county community on the North Fork of Kentucky River at the mouth of Maces Creek, about four miles southeast of Hazard. (Maces Creek is also known as Masons Creek.) The name is said to come from snakes found near the store that became the Viper post office. The area was earlier known as Hallsville, for Philip Hall, a surveyor and timber dealer. Viper was a station on the railroad as well. The Hallsville post office operated from 1875 to 1879. The Viper post office operated from 1886 to 2005.

Viper was the birthplace of Jean Ritchie, noted folk singer and musician, in 1922.

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© 2024 David C. Elbon