KY Historical Markers

[KY Hiker]

I was doing some pioneer era related research to try and hone in on some lingering questions I have related to the Swift legend. I came across the Wolfe Co. Courthouse plaque about John Swift and actually found the site with all the brass plaques listed by county or subject...pretty cool huh? Anyway, I copied and pasted those entries that looked interesting and may be of some related interest to the Swift legend. If anyone is interested in this site for future research here it is : https://secure.kentucky.gov/kyhs/hmdb/MarkerSearch.aspx?mode=All

Here is what I came across that may be interesting to some.


Scottish Rite Temple
(Marker Number: 1739)

County: Jefferson
Location: 200 East Gray St., Louisville

Description: Home of Grand Consistory of Ky., a branch of Freemasonry. Chartered 1852 in Louisville by Supreme Council of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction of U.S. of America. Oldest Body under Supreme Council in continued existence. John C. Breckinridge was the first Ky. Sovereign Grand Inspector Gen. Presented by The Louisville, Ky., Scottish Rite.

(Reverse) Grand Consistory of Kentucky - Albert G. Mackey, Sec.-Gen. of Supreme Council, issued warrant "To open and hold Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret" for Ky. in Louisville, Aug. 21, 1852. A dispensation was given to H. Gray, Grand Cmdr.; H. Hudson, lst Lt. Cmdr.; J. H. Howe, 2nd Lt. Cmdr.; J. Cromie, Grand Treas.; and F. Webber, Grand Sec., to serve as Charter Officers of the Grand Consistory.

Subjects: Breckinridge, John Cabell


Indian Old Fields
(Marker Number: 1274)

County: Clark
Location: 11 mi. SE of Winchester, KY 15

Description: Site of Eskippakithiki, sometimes called "Kentake," located on the Warrior's Path. This meeting place for traders and Indian hunters was the last of the Kentucky Indian towns. Occupied by the Shawnees, ca. 1715-1754. John Finley had a store here and traded with the Indians, 1752. Daniel Boone viewed "the beautiful level of Kentucky" from this point on June 7, 1769.


Daniel Boone, Surveyor / Bush Settlement
(Marker Number: 2531)

County: Clark
Location: KY-627 & Quisenberry Ln.

Description:

DANIEL BOONE, SURVEYOR
Daniel Boone earned substantial income as a deputy county surveyor (1783-1797), a dangerous job in frontier Kentucky. He made legal surveys in six Kentucky counties, including Clark. Boone’s first eleven were for William Bush and became the basis for the Bush Settlement. The first was made January 7, 1783. Over.

BUSH SETTLEMENT
Daniel Boone surveyed 6,147 acres for Captain Billy Bush. Bush located the land for himself and others, then served as pilot and marker on the surveys. Baptist families from Virginia and North Carolina began settling here in November 1784. The nucleus of the settlement was Providence Church on Lower Howard’s Creek.

Presented by Winchester-Clark County Tourism Commission.

For more information see ExploreKYHistory: Daniel Boone, Surveyor / Bush Settlement

Subjects: Baptist Church | Boone, Daniel


Lulbegrud Creek
(Marker Number: 137)

County: Clark
Location: Clark-Powell Co. line, KY 15

Description: Near site of winter camp of Daniel and Squire Boone, Alexander Neeley, and John Stuart, 1769-70. Creek named by these pioneers after "Lorbrulgrud" of Gulliver's Travels, first known book brought to Kentucky. Corrupted to Lulbegrud.

Subjects: Books | Boone, Daniel | Boone, Squire

Salt Spring Trace
(Marker Number: 2559)

County: Clark
Location: 1125 Athens-Boonesboro Road Winchester

Description: SALT SPRING TRACE One of the first marked trails in Kentucky. The path began at Fort Boonesborough, crossed the Kentucky River here at Blackfish Ford, followed a buffalo trace up Lower Howard’s Creek about four miles then turned north and continued on to the Lower Blue Licks, where the first settlers made salt and hunted buffalo. Presented by Lower Howard’s Creek Nature & Heritage Preserve Dedicated September 17, 2018

Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Boonesborough | Early Settlers



County Named, 1799
(Marker Number: 1170)

County: Breckinridge
Location: Hardinsburg, Courthouse lawn, US 60

Description: For John Breckinridge, 1760-1806. Attorney General of Ky., 1793-97. Representative in Kentucky Legislature, 1797-1801. Coauthor with Jefferson of 1798 Kentucky Resolutions, opposing U.S. Alien and Sedition Acts. Appointed Attorney General of the U.S. in 1805. He was a key figure in the writing of the Kentucky Constitution, 1799. He served in the U.S. Senate, 1801-05.

Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1799) | Jefferson, Thomas


Tar Springs
(Marker Number: 934)

County: Breckinridge
Location: Cloverport, US 60

Description: Four miles south. A fashionable health resort of 1840s which had the unique attraction of a l00-foot cliff from which tar bubbled while from its base flowed eleven springs, each with different type of mineral water. Indians knew and used these curative waters. Wiley B. Rutledge, Justice of U.S. Supreme Court, 1943-49, was born, 1894, at Tar Springs resort.

Subjects: Springs



Long Hunters' Camp
(Marker Number: 635)

County: Barren
Location: .5 mi. N. Jct. with KY 90, US 31-E

Description: Henry Skaggs and two companions trapping beaver, winter 1770-71, were probably first white men in the area. Named Long Hunters due to long period away from home in the East. Came through Cumberland Gap, 1769, in party led by James Knox. Skaggs' group left the main party to spend the winter here. Friendly with the Indians, Skaggs brought many pioneers here later.

Erected in 1964.


Subjects: Cumberland Gap | Long Hunters



Bourbon Iron Works
(Marker Number: 993)

County: Bath
Location: 3 mi. S. of Owingsville, KY 36, 965

Description: Jacob Myers from Richmond, Va. took up land grants here on Slate Creek, 1782. He built the first iron blast furnace in Ky., 1791. John Cockey Owings and Co. formed to operate furnace. Utensils and tools supplied settlers. Began to make cannon balls, grape shot for US Navy 1810. Furnished munitions for US victory, New Orleans 1815. First blast 1791, last 1838. Over.

(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

Subjects: Iron Industry | War of 1812


Cumberland Ford
(Marker Number: 1426)

County: Bell
Location: KY 66 & Pine St., Pineville

Description: One of the most important points on the Wilderness Road marked by Daniel Boone in 1775. Ford first used by Indians, then by early explorers and the Long Hunters. After Boone opened the way west, more than 100,000 settlers used the crossing as a gateway to Ky. During Civil War ford occupied by both Union and CSA troops because of its strategic location.

Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Civil War | Indians | Long Hunters | Roads | Wilderness Road


Middlesboro Meteorite Crater Impact Site
(Marker Number: 2225)

County: Bell
Location: 324 12th St., Middlesboro

Description: Designated by the Kentucky Society of Professional Geologists as a Distinguished Geological Site. Middlesboro is one of only a few cities on the North American continent located in the basin of a meteorite impact structure. Over.

(Reverse) Sometime over the past 300 million years the impact of a meteorite in the heights of the Appalachian Mountains formed a circular basin approximately three miles in diameter in which the city of Middlesboro was built in 1889.



Middlesborough
(Marker Number: 832)

County: Bell
Location: Tourist Info. Center, North 20th St., Middlesboro

Description: English colony founded in 1886 by Alexander Arthur. Project financed by English company, the American Association, because of timber and rich mineral deposits here. Almost 100,000 mountainous acres in Va., Tenn., and Ky. purchased for the settlement. Town was named for Middlesborough, England. Railroad to Knoxville and Cumberland Gap tunnel built by the company.


Naming of the Cumberland River
(Marker Number: 2045)

County: Bell
Location: 1050 State Park Road, Pineville

Description: Near this site where the creek enters the river, on April 17, 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker first viewed the river he named for the Duke of Cumberland. Known as the "Narrows," this area became a significant gateway for travelers on the Wilderness Road. Presented by Bell County Fiscal Court.

Subjects: Rivers | Roads | Wilderness Road | State Parks



Saltpeter Cave
(Marker Number: 209)

County: Carter
Location: 344 Caveland Dr., Olive Hill

Description: Saltpeter mined here from which gunpowder was made that was used by Kentucky riflemen during the War of 1812. There are remains of those works in cave. Reputed rendezvous for counterfeiters in early years. Artifacts and Indian graves found in cavern.

Dedicated September 27, 1963.


Boone Salt Springs
(Marker Number: 151)

County: Floyd
Location: David, KY 404

Description: Discovered by Daniel Boone and one or two companions while exploring Eastern Kentucky, winter 1767-68. Later called Young's Salt Works. These springs provided salt for pioneers in the valley and for troops on both sides during the Civil War.

For more information, see ExploreKYHistory: Boone Salt Springs


Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Civil War | Salt Works


County Named, 1799
(Marker Number: 817)

County: Floyd
Location: South Lake Dr., Prestonsburg, US 23

Description: For Col. John Floyd. Born Amherst County, Va., 1750. Led party to survey land now Kentucky, 1774. With George Rogers Clark's Indian expeditions. Back in Va., joined Colonial navy. Captured, taken to England. Escaped. Built Floyd's Station, 1779 or 1780, nearby what is now Louisville. Named Lieut. of Jefferson Co., part of Va., 1781. Killed in Indian ambush, 1783.

Subjects: Clark, George Rogers | Floyd, John | Forts and Stations | Indians

 

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[Rebel - KGC]

THANKS! VERY well done!

 

[KY Hiker]

This is the only John Breckenridge that would have been a contemporary of Swift I have been able to find in KY. Could the man on the land claim with Filson be a brother or relative? Looking for a Robert Breckenridge that would have been an adult around 1780-90 has been difficult.


County Named, 1799
(Marker Number: 1170)

County: Breckinridge
Location: Hardinsburg, Courthouse lawn, US 60

Description: For John Breckinridge, 1760-1806. Attorney General of Ky., 1793-97. Representative in Kentucky Legislature, 1797-1801. Coauthor with Jefferson of 1798 Kentucky Resolutions, opposing U.S. Alien and Sedition Acts. Appointed Attorney General of the U.S. in 1805. He was a key figure in the writing of the Kentucky Constitution, 1799. He served in the U.S. Senate, 1801-05.

Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1799) | Jefferson, Thomas

 

[Ken S.]

Lots of info on that site. Like all sites some info inaccurate according to local legend though. Some more info on what was part of Floyd Co. at that point in history.


Harman Station
(Marker Number: 736)

County: Johnson
Location: 5 mi. S. of Paintsville, US 23, 460

Description: The first settlement in Eastern Kentucky. Matthias Harman's party of hunters from Virginia built stockade near river bank, 1787. Indians forced evacuation in 1788, and burned blockhouse. Harman and others returned, 1789, and rebuilt an enduring fort. These men at Blockhouse Bottom broke Indian hold on Big Sandy Valley, opened Eastern Kentucky for settlement.

Subjects: Forts and Stations

Paintsville
(Marker Number: 1126)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville bypass, Jct. Jefferson Ave. & US 23

Description: The second oldest settlement in Eastern Kentucky, at first named Paint Lick Station. Established in 1790 by Col. John Preston. Dr. Thomas Walker probably camped at mouth of Paint Creek, near some abandoned log cabins, in 1750. Rev. Henry Dixon laid out town and built first house in 1826. Paintsville incorporated in 1872, but city government much older.

Subjects: Forts and Stations


The Walker Expedition
(Marker Number: 903)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville, KY 40 at KY 581

Description: Doctor Thomas Walker led first expedition of record from Virginia into eastern Kentucky and camped at present site of Paintsville in 1750. Here, June 7, 1750, he discovered French cabins at mouth of Paint Creek and named river Louisa, honoring daughter of King George II and sister of Duke of Cumberland for whom Walker named the Cumberland River and the Gap.

 

[KY Hiker]

I would suggest the KY historical society would have more accurate information than the local lore. The lore may fill in certain details that historians may pass over though. Interesting that Walker found French cabins...I wonder how he knew they were French (by design?). This suggests once again the French were operating mines in the region, parallels the Swift story in many ways as Mundy was a 'frenchman'.

Remember these are abbreviated historical markers so that much of the detail is left out.

It could very well be that the Paintsville area is the 'headwaters of the Sandy' mentioned in various Swift journals.

 

[KY Hiker]

Referring back to my first post and the first entry, there seems to be several John Breckenridge(s) of prominence in KY history. The one listed under the masonic lodge would not be a contemporary of Swift and/or Filson and would not have been making a land entry for Swift's mine land patent with Filson, that was a Robert Breckenridge. I have not yet determined if he is of the same family as the prior John Breckenridge, but I do think he was living in Lexington for some time.

I wonder if anyone has researched the oldest of Lexington's graveyards for any 'Swift' headstones. One version of the legend associated around the Red River Gorge area says that Swift died in Lexington around 1800 after being found ill and wandering lost in the Red River Gorge area. This could be local lore but may be worth following up on or debunking.
I always associate many of these stories as local lore to add color the Legend. It would be nice to be able to dismiss some of them and find the root of the story.

 

[KY Hiker]

Many have probably read this before, I am almost positive it was posted in another thread. This is for those of you who have not read this view or perspective of the legend.

https://filsonhistorical.org/wp-con...ver-Mines-of-Swift-and-Filson_Nickell-Joe.pdf

 

[Ken S.]

In rereading that Filson Club Quarterly another name came up familiar to magoffin Co. near Mine Fk.. Ophir

Dr. Walker was in the area 10 years before Swift legend time frame.

Not sure I wouldn't trust local legend more than that of historical society, knowing how people twist stories around to attract tourist to come into an area.

 

[KY Hiker]

Yes Walker and Gist both in KY before Swift Journals claim Swift to have been. Also Finley was trading and living in Indian Old Fields near Winchester during/prior to Swift time frame. Historical markers, I believe, have to have documentation before being approved unlike local lore passed down via word-of-mouth. The lore could be true, but cannot be verified through records or documentation. This is the whole problem with the Swift legend, very little can be documented in KY other than land documents. The majority of the evidence of Swift is in Alexandria, VA. but does not match the traditional Swift Journal timeline like the land transactions in KY.

Dr. Thomas Walker Journal
http://www.wvculture.org/history/settlement/loyalcompany02.html

Christopher Gist Journal (how an actual journal would read compared to the Swift Journals)
http://www.donchesnut.com/genealogy/pages/gistjournal.pdf

Gist passed through Paintsville area...
Monday April 1.--Set out the same Course about 20 M. Part of the way we went along a path up theside of a little creek at the head of which was a Gap in the Mountains then our Path went down anotherCreek to a Lick where Blocks of Coal about 8 to 10 In: Square lay upon the Surface of the Ground, here wekilled a Bear and encamped.16Tuesday 2.--Set out S 2 M, SE 1 M, NE 3 M, killed a Buffaloe.Wednesday 3.--S 1 M, SW 3 M, E 3 M. SE 2 M, to a small Creek on which was a large WarriorsCamp,17 that would contain 70 Or 80 Warriors, their captains Name or Title was the Crane, as I knew byhis picture or Arms18 painted on a Tree.Thursday 4.--We stayed here all Day to rest our Horses, and I platted down our Courses and I found Ihad still near 200 M Home upon a Streight Line.Friday 5.--Rained and we stayed at the Warriors Camp.Saturday 6.--We went along the Warrior's Road S 1 M, SE 3 M, S 2M, SE 3M, E 3 M, killed a bear.Sunday 7.--Set out E 2M, NE 1M, SE 1 M, S 1M, W 1 M, SW 1 M, S 1 M, SE 2 M, S 1 M.Monday 8.--S 1 M, SE 1 M, E 3 M, SE 1 M, E 3 M, NE 2 M, N 1 M, E 1 M, N 1 M, E 2 M andencamped on a small Laurel Creek.


Indian Old Fields
(Marker Number: 1274)

County: Clark
Location: 11 mi. SE of Winchester, KY 15

Description: Site of Eskippakithiki, sometimes called "Kentake," located on the Warrior's Path. This meeting place for traders and Indian hunters was the last of the Kentucky Indian towns. Occupied by the Shawnees, ca. 1715-1754. John Finley had a store here and traded with the Indians, 1752. Daniel Boone viewed "the beautiful level of Kentucky" from this point on June 7, 1769.

Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Indians | Shawnee Indians

 

[KY Hiker]

If your interested in VA highway historical markers there is a search site here https://vcris.dhr.virginia.gov/HistoricMarkers/


Gold Mining in Stafford County
E-17_2
Near here are located ten of the nineteenth-century gold mines of Stafford County. The best-known were the Eagle, Rattlesnake (Horse Pen), Lee, New Hope, and Monroe mines. The Eagle Gold Mining Company, Rappahannock Gold Mine Company of New York, Rapidan Mining and Milling Company of Pennsylvania, United States Mining Company, and Stafford Mining Company operated here between the 1830s and the early twentieth century. Mining activities gradually ceased because of declining profits.

Department of Historic Resources, 1990

Gold was mined right at the back door of Alexandria, VA .
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stafford_County,_Virginia

quoted from link above :
For thousands of years, various cultures of indigenous peoples succeeded each other in their territories along the Potomac River and its tributaries. By the time of English colonization, there were 32 Algonquian-speaking American Indian tribes in the present-day coastal Tidewater Virginia area, including those of the Patawomeck and numerous tribes that were part of the Powhatan Confederacy. The former small tribe, still centered in Stafford County, was recognized by the state of Virginia in 2010.

The Native Americans' first recorded encounter with Europeans in this area was in 1608, with John Smith of the Jamestown Settlement. During a time of recurring tension between the early English colonists and local Native Americans, the colonists led by Samuel Argall captured Chief Powhatan's daughter, Pocahontas, while she was living with her husband, Kocoum. The colonists took her from the eastern part of this county, to a secondary English settlement, known as Henricus (or Henrico Town). Alexander Whitaker converted Pocahontas to Christianity during her captivity. He renamed her as "Rebecca" at her baptism. Rebecca/Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe on April 5, 1614 in Jamestown.[4][5] Their mixed-race descendants were among the First Families of Virginia.

The English colonial government of Virginia imposed its own order on the land and peoples. In 1664 it established Stafford County from territory previously part of Westmoreland County[6] (which had been created from Northumberland County in 1653). It was named after Staffordshire, England. As originally delineated, Stafford County included a much larger area than its current borders. As population grew, the following counties and jurisdictions were created: Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William counties, and the City of Alexandria.[6] It is part of the area now considered Northern Virginia.

 

[KY Hiker]

Brief Walker history in KY video.

 

[KY Hiker]

I remember watching this in middle school history class. Mentions silver mines.

 

[KY Hiker]

If Swift knew Washington and they both were masons of the same Temple this video may shed insight into the mystery around and about the legend of Swift's silver. This is about a different topic and mystery but does shed insight into the masonic angle of the Swift legend. Listen closely to the investigators...




...the stone rejected will be made the cornerstone.

 

[PartisanRanger]

look into Hardin County for info on John Swift. spent years locating markers/sites of his name and mines.

 

[KY Hiker]

look into Hardin County for info on John Swift. spent years locating markers/sites of his name and mines.

Thanks, Prather's Book on Swift theorizes this central section of the state as a possible location of his mines including a location near Ft. Knox. It does not fit the traditional travel timeline in the journals but that all could have been a grand deception. An old map shows a 'fine lead mine' in the Barren Creek area (Barren Run Creek?), silver is often found in lead and zinc deposits.

https://www.fkgoldstandard.com/content/long-john-silver-treasure-based-kentucky-history-0

This link is to a topo map of this area, notice the SW corner...very interesting.

https://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/topo/kentucky/txu-pclmaps-topo-ky-elizabethtown-1933.jpg

also, https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/ky/hardin-county-21093/summits/silver-mine-knob-503514/



https://www.kentuckyliving.com/archives/searching-for-swifts-lost-silver-mines

 

[KY Hiker]

Still being looked for.

https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/lincoln-county-man-claims-to-have-found-swifts-mine


http://www.kyanageo.org/minerals.html

https://thediggings.com/usa/kentucky

http://www.uky.edu/KGS/minerals/im_ironore.php

 

[KY Hiker]

I recently found out Washington was the original surveyor of Alexandria, VA where Swift was from. I also found a map (1749) of the land owners drawn by him. Along the right edge is the list of property owners at that time. Swift was supposed to have resided on Water Street where he did business as a merchant on the docks there some years later.

 

[KY Hiker]

The Ft Knox location was selected by F.D.R. as a national gold depository. F.D.R. was a mason, so was Swift...and according to Prather's research Swift owned land very near Ft. Knox. Relatives of Swift were employed with the Treasury Dept after our nation's founding.
This video touches into the theory that Swift was hiding our nations wealth in the frontier caves of KY. Far fetched? yes...but all ideas should be heard and considered.

 

[KY Hiker]

Historical tidbit.

 

[KY Hiker]

http://www.donchesnut.com/genealogy/pages/gistjournal.pdf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middl...eteorite,to have been about 100 m in diameter.

In re-reading Christopher Gist's journal and looking at his timeline and travels vs the typical Swift Journal timeline and travel I have to assume the Swift journal is not accurate at all. Gist was moving with far fewer animals and carrying mostly provisions for the exploration. Looking at the entries, he moved between 8 and 12 miles a day and almost never in a straight course due to the topography. Several times he stayed a day or more in place to either get well from illness or hunt for food. Swift journals do not read as a daily journal nor keep the same general timeline. J. Swift moves to and from Alexandria, VA generally in a 5 week period of time +/- 8 days... granted some trips did take different routes than others. Frankly, Swift moved too fast compared to Gist getting to the same general area of what is now KY.
This is evidence that the Swift journals that circulate and that we read are almost definitely after the fact recollections at best. More than likely it is almost impossible to make the journey in the timeline described in them unless Swift traveled alone with one pack animal. I would imagine a long hunter of that time may have been able to move 'as swiftly' as Swift if familiar with the terrain and topography.
Also, the 1760-69 time frame does not match the historical Jon. Swift of Alexandria, VA. who owned, bought and sold large tracts of land in early pioneer KY. Many tracts of land in KY were granted to Revolutionary War Vets who were due pay and back pay after their service. The nation had little to no currency or reserves during and after the war of independence.

I am not trying to poo poo on anyone and their beliefs about Swift, I am simply trying to refine everything out there related to Swift into facts to find the real truth behind this legend.

Maybe there are veins of silver in KY, if there are they are most likely found deep in a cave and not near the surface...that cave could or should be logically on or along the Pine Mt. ridge fault or the crater at Middlesboro, KY more so than anywhere else in the state. Mr. Gibson found kegs of silver coins miles deep in Pigeon Water Cave, maybe that cave system is the same one Swift mined? We know of several people over the years who counterfeited in KY silver coin using actual silver...where did that silver come from? If silver occurs in other parts of KY it will probably be found in lead deposits like it does just West of the Mississippi river.