Near Union in Boone County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Big Bone Lick

Three miles

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 31, 2021

1. Big Bone Lick Marker (Side A)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Discovered in 1739 by French Capt. Charles Lemoyne de Longueil. Early explorers found countless bones and teeth of extinct Pleistocene elephants, the mammoth and the mastodon. This saline-sulphur spring was popular for salt making until 1812: also a health resort from 1815-30. Its waters were noted for mildly curative qualities.

Robert Smith, an Indian trader, recognized the significance of the large bones. From 1751-80, Big Bone Lick had many visitors, including Christopher Gist, John Finley, Mary Ingles, John Floyd and McAfee brothers. Thomas Jefferson sent expedition headed by Wm. Clark to collect bones; the next largest collector was N. S. Shaler. Some tusks measured 8-10 feet long.

Erected 1979 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 32.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Paleontology • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1739.

Location. 38°

Big Bone Lick Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 31, 2021

2. Big Bone Lick Marker (Side B)

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this page online

51.487′ N, 84° 46.537′ W. Marker is near Union, Kentucky, in Boone County. Marker is at the intersection of Ryle Road and Boat Dock Road (Kentucky Route 1925), on the right when traveling south on Ryle Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13989 Ryle Road, Union KY 41091, 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. Mary Ingles (approx. 2½ miles away); a different marker also named Big Bone Lick (approx. 2½ miles away); Big Bone Methodist Church (approx. 2½ miles away); Lewis and Clark in Kentucky (approx. 2.6 miles away); Mary Draper Ingles (approx. 2.6 miles away); Dr. Elwood Mead (approx. 3.1 miles away in Indiana); Great River Tragedy (approx. 5.6 miles away); Piatt’s Landing / General E.R.S. Canby (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Union.

Big Bone Lick Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, May 31, 2021

3. Big Bone Lick Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 12, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.