Burkesville in Cumberland County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The History of Cumberland County

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 6, 2024

1. The History of Cumberland County Marker

Inscription. Cumberland County was organized in 1798 and received its name from the Cumberland River which flows through the county from end to end. Exploration of the river led to the settlement of its county seat, Burkesville, in 1810. For many years folks called this community "Cumberland Crossing" because they could cross the river here by ferry. In the late 1820s life in Burkesville was still very primitive but the river improved things as steamboats were built and travel up and down the river increased. Push boats, floated easily downstream, sidewheelers and steamwheelers plied the waters. Steamboats arrived on a regular schedule and unloaded on river banks with a wide variety of goods. Steamboat travel kept everyone in touch with the world and gave people a market to sell their wares, livestock and cargo. By the end of the 1850s Burkesville had become an important river town.

Prosperity continued until the coming of other forms of transportation led to competition. The leaders of Cumberland County realized that road improvements were needed when the L&N Railroad and automobiles moved goods faster than steamboats and stage

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coaches. The last steamboat to travel the Upper Cumberland was the Celina in 1926. The people never voted to approve a railroad in the county and until the 1960s many of the roads were in poor shape because they had relied upon the Cumberland River as their highway.

Flooding from the river was a problem. Half of the town of Burkesville and hundreds of homes in the valleys were often under water. In 1941 construction on the Wolf Creek Dam was started to prevent major flooding along the river. It was completed in 1951.

Cumberland county is rich is history and historical sites. It is now known for its rural environment and excellent sport fishing, hiking, and camping. The breath taking natural beauty of the area was noted by naturalist, and "The Father of Our National Parks". John Muir, in his famous Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf he wrote: "Burkesville, in a beautiful location is embosomed in a glorious array of verdant flowering hills. The Cumberland must be a happy stream. I think I could enjoy traveling with it, in the midst of such beauty, all my life."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.

Location. 36° 47.292′ N,

The History of Cumberland County Marker (marker is in the middle of the three panels) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 6, 2024

2. The History of Cumberland County Marker (marker is in the middle of the three panels)

85° 22.027′ W. Marker is in Burkesville, Kentucky, in Cumberland County. It is at the intersection of Upper River Street and City Street 1074, on the left when traveling east on Upper River Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 253 Upper River St, Burkesville KY 42717, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Pennyroyal Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: Dedicated to Dr. Joseph Schickel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Burkesville Ferry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Morgan On To Ohio (approx. ¼ mile away); The Coe Family / The Coes of Cumberland County (approx. ¼ mile away); Cumberland County (approx. ¼ mile away); Lincoln's Father Here (approx. ¼ mile away); Cumberland Countians War Memorial

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(approx. ¼ mile away); Raiders Entered Here (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Burkesville.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 478 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 22, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.