Pippa Passes in Knott County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Caney Creek Community Center
Founded in This Shack
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019
1. Engraved and Inked Brass Plate on Cabin
In this shack was founded The Caney Creek Community Center, October 10, 1916, by Mrs. Alice S. G. Lloyd — A symbol of faith, American democracy, and public service.
As her dollars vanished, she began to count over her friends back in New England and assembled a list of fifty who might be responsive to her own enthusiasm and perhaps spread it abroad. So her new Oliver typewriter began its contribution to the cause, which even now continues morning, afternoon, and evening.
Next: PLANS. First of all there must be a building adequate to house various enterprises—a Community Hall. And soon it was apparent that far more land was needed. One day, there came from a sympathetic woman a check for $1,000. Says Mrs. Lloyd, “I nearly fainted at seeing so much money!” A princely gift. Now it was possible to buy the entire farm—153 acres—of the dazed Abisha.
The check for this land, “a piece of writing,” was given to the “Summonser” who fingered it over and over in his gnarled illiterate fingers. Then (as Mrs. Lloyd relates this dramatic event) he fell on his knees to prayer:
Oh: God of my people,
It is that you have asked me thus,
To give over the land-of-my-fathers,
for this piece of writing?
Must I, oh,
this page online
Give over my mountains.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical date for this entry is October 10, 1916.
Location. 37° 20.099′ N, 82° 52.516′ W. Marker is in Pippa Passes, Kentucky, in Knott County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Pippa Passes KY 41844, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Founder’s Shack (a few steps from this marker); Alice Lloyd College (approx. 3.2 miles away); Hindman Settlement School (approx. 5.7 miles away); Pioneer Educator (approx. 5.8 miles away); Dr. Josiah H. Combs, 1886-1960 / Folk Music Scholar (approx. 5.8 miles away); County Named, 1884 (approx. 5.9 miles away); Carl Dewey Perkins (approx. 5.9 miles away); Morgan's Last Raid (approx. 6.6 miles away).
More about this marker. $1000 dollars some 100 years ago in 1916 is the equivalent of more than $23,000 today. The “Summonser” would be Abisha Johnson, who “summoned” Mrs. Lloyd to Caney Creek, now Pippa Passes and offered her land on which to build her school.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are markers about Alice Lloyd College.
Also see . . .
1. Alice Lloyd College — Our History
Photographed By J. J. Prats, October 20, 2019
2. Founder’s Shack and Markers
This marker is mounted on the wall above the bench. The Kentucky Historical Society Marker No. 1532 is mounted on a pole to the right of the shack.
Alice Lloyd’s dictum, “The leaders are here,” became the inspirational impetus for what is now Alice Lloyd College. ...(Submitted on March 8, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.)
The community of Pippa Passes derives its name from the verse drama Pippa Passes, written by the British poet Robert Browning. The character of Pippa is a little girl who works in the sweat shops of Italy in the mid-19th Century. On her only holiday of the year, she “passes” through the villages of her countryside, singing the now popular refrain:The year’s at the spring,Through her song, Pippa inspires troubled lives toward good purposes. The poem reflects “the influence of unconscious good on the world.” Service to the community follows this philosophy as it seeks to expand the scope of the total learning experience.
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hill-side’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn:
God’s in his heaven–
All’s right with the world!
2. Miracle on Caney Creek. 1991 music video of a song by Michael Johnathon written for the documentary film of the same name. It is five minutes long.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 8, 2020, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
