Campton in Wolfe County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Gateway to Appalachia

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 15, 2014

1. Gateway to Appalachia Marker

Inscription. Wolfe County, founded in 1860, is Eastern Kentucky’s Gateway to Appalachia. The National Designated Wild and Scenic Red River and the North Fork of the Kentucky River flow through Wolfe County. The woods are sculpted with sandstone arches, waterfalls and towering rock cliffs. Daniel Boone National Forest and Clifty Wilderness provide hiking, camping and rock climbing opportunities throughout Wolf County. A rich tradition of music and arts has nurtured generations of talented mountain people. The work of Edgar Tolson, one of Kentucky’s finest folk artists, is in the Smithsonian Institution and galleries nationwide. The music of Darley Fulks and Bob Kash is widely emulated by a new generation of old time fiddlers. Recordings of their music are in the Library of Congress.

Education has always played a prominent role in Wolfe County. Hazel Green Academy, founded in 1880 by W.O. Mize, J.T. Day and G.B. Swango, educated students until 1963. Kentucky Wesleyan Academy opened in Campton in 1896 and closed in 1912. The Alvan Drew School was founded in Pine Ridge in 1913; today, as the Dessie Scott Children’s Home, it continues its service of care and education. Bethany Home began in 1926 and provides elementary education today as the Bethany Christian Mission Center.

The Old Burial Grounds in Campton is the resting place for

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many of Wolfe County’s founders including Fielden Hanks, the Uncle of Abraham Lincoln.

Wolfe County is rich in culture, heritage and natural beauty. It is known as the friendliest town in the mountains.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education • Horticulture & Forestry. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 37° 44.102′ N, 83° 32.826′ W. Marker is in Campton, Kentucky, in Wolfe County. It is on Court Street. The marker is located on the grounds of the Wolfe County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Campton KY 41301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Kentucky and in the Cumberland Plateau.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Wolfe County War Memorial (here, next to this marker); USA Gens. Morgan CSA (a few steps from this marker); Wolfe County, 1860 (a few steps from this marker); Swift's Silver Camp (a few steps from this marker); Wolfe County Veterans Wall (within shouting distance of this marker); Alvan Drew School (approx. 4 miles away); Hazel Green Academy (approx. 8½ miles away); a different marker also named USA Gens. Morgan CSA (approx. 8½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Campton.

Photographed by Don Morfe, April 15, 2014

2. Gateway to Appalachia Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,075 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2014, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.