Crab Orchard in Lincoln County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
A View from Sportsman’s Hill
Photographed By Tom Bosse, April 12, 2017
1. A View from Sportsman’s Hill Marker
Inscription.
A View from Sportsman’s Hill. . The threat of an attack by a large Native American raiding party was a very real possibility in 1788 when William Whitley established a horse race track at Sportsman’s Hill. This threat continued for the next six years. By 1794, most attacks were by small raiding parties on single individuals or small groups in isolated settings. Completed in 1794, Whitley’s home was the first brick house in Kentucky and the first west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was visible from the Wilderness Road. The vista from atop “Sportsman’s Hill” above the circular track afforded a view of the surrounding area and any approaching party. The close proximity of the house and the hill which can be seen from one to the other was mutually supportive if any type of attack were to occur. From the crest of the hill it was possible for the race spectators to view the race in its entirety and also the surrounding area. With the spectators grouped together at the crest of the hill, they could move in unison to the festivities and safety of the brick house. Luckily, no attack or assault ever materialized. The thundering sound of the horses’ hooves in the autumn races echoed for years unmolested about the hill.
The threat of an attack by a large Native American raiding party was a very real possibility in 1788 when William Whitley established a horse race track at Sportsman’s Hill. This threat continued for the next six years. By 1794, most attacks were by small raiding parties on single individuals or small groups in isolated settings. Completed in 1794, Whitley’s home was the first brick house in Kentucky and the first west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was visible from the Wilderness Road. The vista from atop “Sportsman’s Hill” above the circular track afforded a view of the surrounding area and any approaching party. The close proximity of the house and the hill which can be seen from one to the other was mutually supportive if any type of attack were to occur. From the crest of the hill it was possible for the race spectators to view the race in its entirety and also the surrounding area. With the spectators grouped together at the crest of the hill, they could move in unison to the festivities and safety of the brick house. Luckily, no attack or assault ever materialized. The thundering sound of the horses’ hooves in the autumn races echoed for years unmolested about the hill.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Native Americans •
Location. 37° 28.159′ N, 84° 32.686′ W. Marker is in Crab Orchard, Kentucky, in Lincoln County. Marker can be reached from William Whitley Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Crab Orchard KY 40419, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2017. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 287 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 14, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
