Mount Vernon in Rockcastle County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Pioneer Routes In Rockcastle County

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 7, 2024

1. Pioneer Routes in Rockcastle County Marker

Inscription.

Pioneer Routes In Rockcastle County. . The mountains of Rockcastle County were the last challenge for pioneers to face before reaching the level land of the bluegrass area. In the 1700's there were three routes in the county traveled by thousands of pioneers by 1790. , The first was Skaggs Trace, a rugged hunting trail travelled and named for the legendary Long Hunter Henry Skaggs, initially beginning at present day Flat Lick, Kentucky to Crab Orchard and passing through Old Hazel Patch near present day Oakley, Kentucky. It followed the ridge lines but also Skaggs Creek south of Mount Vernon. , Boone Trace was marked by Daniel Boone and a crew of thirty men in 1775. It was a route that brought travelers on foot or horseback through the Cumberland Gap and ended at Fort Boonesborough. It followed Skaggs Trace from Flat Lick to Old Hazel Patch where Boone left the old road to proceed north. Presently, an effort is underway to mark the original overland path of the Boone Trace. , The Wilderness Road was commissioned to be constructed by Isaac Shelby, Kentucky's first Governor, in (indecipherable) the contract was given to James Knox and Colonel Joseph Crockett to construct a road thirty feet wide and accommodating a two-ton wagon load. Construction was to begin in Crab Orchard and end at the top of the Cumberland Mountain in the Gap. , Commissioners Knox and Crockett / surveyors held a meeting at Stephen Langford's Station in Mount Vernon. The decision was made to incorporate the road Langford built from Mount Vernon to Livingston as part of the Wilderness Road (currently approximating the route of US 25). By the time of construction, Daniel Boone was 61 years old and when he heard about the project, he did send a letter to Governor Shelby asking that he be considered for the contract, since he had marked and cleared the Boone Trace in 1775 and therefore felt as qualified as any person. Segments of Boone Trace were rebuilt and became part of the new wagon road - The Wilderness Road. Construction of the Wilderness Road is often attributed to Boone; however, he was not involved with this endeavor. Written by: John Fox and Tom Black (Friends of Boone Trace) .

The mountains of Rockcastle County were the last challenge for pioneers to face before reaching the level land of the bluegrass area. In the 1700's there were three routes in the county traveled by thousands of pioneers by 1790.

The first was Skaggs Trace, a rugged hunting trail travelled and named for the legendary Long Hunter Henry Skaggs, initially beginning at present day Flat Lick, Kentucky to Crab Orchard and passing through Old Hazel Patch near present day Oakley, Kentucky. It followed the ridge lines but also Skaggs Creek south of Mount Vernon.

Boone Trace was marked by Daniel Boone and a crew of thirty men in 1775. It was a route that brought travelers on foot or horseback through the Cumberland Gap and ended at Fort Boonesborough. It followed Skaggs Trace from Flat Lick to Old Hazel Patch where Boone left the old road to proceed north. Presently, an effort is underway to mark the original overland path of the Boone Trace.

The Wilderness Road was commissioned to be constructed by Isaac Shelby, Kentucky's first Governor, in (indecipherable) the contract was given to James Knox and Colonel Joseph Crockett

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

to construct a road thirty feet wide and accommodating a two-ton wagon load. Construction was to begin in Crab Orchard and end at the top of the Cumberland Mountain in the Gap.

Commissioners Knox and Crockett / surveyors held a meeting at Stephen Langford's Station in Mount Vernon. The decision was made to incorporate the road Langford built from Mount Vernon to Livingston as part of the Wilderness Road (currently approximating the route of US 25). By the time of construction, Daniel Boone was 61 years old and when he heard about the project, he did send a letter to Governor Shelby asking that he be considered for the contract, since he had marked and cleared the Boone Trace in 1775 and therefore felt as qualified as any person. Segments of Boone Trace were rebuilt and became part of the new wagon road - The Wilderness Road. Construction of the Wilderness Road is often attributed to Boone; however, he was not involved with this endeavor. Written by: John Fox & Tom Black (Friends of Boone Trace)

Erected by City of Mount Vernon.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 37° 21.207′ N,

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 7, 2024

2. Pioneer Routes in Rockcastle County Marker

84° 20.432′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, in Rockcastle County. It is at the intersection of West Main Street and Richmond Street, on the left when traveling west on West Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45 W Main St, Mount Vernon KY 40456, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s The Knobs.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: City of Mount Vernon - 1800's (here, next to this marker); Stephen Langford (a few steps from this marker); Longhunters / George Washington's Deer Park (a few steps from this marker); How the City of Mount Vernon was named (a few steps from this marker); C.C. Williams Home (a few steps from

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 7, 2024

3. Pioneer Routes in Rockcastle County Marker

this marker); Fritz Krueger Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Triangle Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Triangle Park (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 849 times since then and 91 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.