Historical Markers and War Memorials in Pike County, Kentucky
Pikeville is the county seat for Pike County
Adjacent to Pike County, Kentucky
Floyd County(34) ► Knott County(11) ► Letcher County(23) ► Martin County(7) ► Buchanan County, Virginia(3) ► Dickenson County, Virginia(18) ► Wise County, Virginia(25) ► Mingo County, West Virginia(22) ►
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On Kentucky Route 1056 just south of River Street, on the right when traveling north.
This episode is the result of the infamous August 1882 election day fight. Randolph McCoy's son Tolbert engaged in a heated argument with "Devil Anse" Hatfield's brother Ellison. This lead to a fight in which Tolbert, and his brothers Pharmer and . . . — — Map (db m162516) HM
On East Shelbiana Road (U.S. 460) 0.9 miles east of Chloe Road (Kentucky Route 1460), on the right when traveling east.
Kentucky legislature established
Pike County Dec. 19, 1821. First
county seat was located near here
on the Peyton Justice farm and
named Liberty. No courthouse was
built here due to opposition to
site. On Dec. 24, 1823, new county
seat . . . — — Map (db m146229) HM
On Center Street (Kentucky Route 80) south of Elkhorn Street (Kentucky Route 80), on the left when traveling south.
Boone 1st visited Ky. on hunting trip in 1767-68. Hunted Clinch River before coming to Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River. Followed rim of Breaks Canyon through present-day Elkhorn City. He tracked 50 miles along buffalo trace to a salt lick at . . . — — Map (db m50654) HM
On Pine Street east of Elkhorn Street (Kentucky Route 80), on the left when traveling east.
Two major railroads, C&O from north and Clinchfield from south, connected at Elkhorn City, Feb. 8, 1915, opening up trade from Ohio Valley to South Atlantic Region. Elkhorn City became important railroad town. Trains went through several times a day . . . — — Map (db m89778) HM
On Patty Loveless Drive (Kentucky Route 80), on the right when traveling east.
Here rests the body of a soldier of the Confederacy, struck down by an unknown assassin in May of 1865-apparently on way to home in the South. He was buried in a coffin made of boards rived from a great oak by four men of this community. After the . . . — — Map (db m50655) HM
On Patty Loveless Drive (Kentucky Route 80) at Carson Island Road, on the right when traveling west on Patty Loveless Drive.
One of the first pioneers to settle in Breaks Canyon area, Richard married Mary Ramey in 1821 and had 11 children; later married Mary "Polly" Wallace. He was a farmer, hunter, and a distillery operator. Richard acquired several thousand acres of . . . — — Map (db m50656) HM
On Patty Loveless Drive (Kentucky Route 80), on the right when traveling east.
Russell Fork originates at the confluence of a
number of small streams near Council
Virginia. Typical of the Appalachian Plateau,
the river valley is narrow and V-shaped. Flash
floods are not uncommon. Major tributaries
are McClure River and . . . — — Map (db m90657) HM
On Patty Loveless Drive (Kentucky Route 80) at West Russell Street (Kentucky Route 197), on the right when traveling east on Patty Loveless Drive.
William Ramey, born ca. 1782, came from North Carolina. He purchased 200-acre tract near the mouth of Elkhorn Creek in 1816. Served as justice of the peace, sheriff, and commissioner of roads in Pike Co. Acquired thousands of acres by land surveys . . . — — Map (db m50658) HM
On Kentucky Route 194 south of Sycamore Road, on the right when traveling north.
This early permanent settlement in
the Big Sandy Valley was named for
Revolutionary War veteran William Robert Leslie
(1729-1802). Leslie moved to this
site at John’s Creek circa 1790. His
son Robert joined him shortly
before his father’s . . . — — Map (db m146055) HM
On Kentucky Route 194 south of Sycamore Road, on the left when traveling north.
Persons professing the Methodist faith
were meeting on Johns Creek prior to
1832. On April ll, 1853, land for
a church was conveyed by deed of
Martin and Sarah B. Lesley to trustees
Thomas May, James Maynard, Samuel
Marrs, Allen Lesley, and . . . — — Map (db m146054) HM
On Kentucky Route 319, 0.7 miles west of Right Turkey Toe Branch, on the left when traveling west.
HARDY, Ky. - What do you get when you combine clear, fresh well water from the original McCoy family log
cabin site with Pauley Hollow Distillery? Real Appalachian moonshine made in Pike County, Kentucky.
The old rustic water well of Randal . . . — — Map (db m162517) HM
On Kentucky Route 312, 0.7 miles west of Right Turkey Toe Branch, on the right when traveling east.
Nestled at Hardy, Kentucky in a spectacular mountain valley, the Randal
McCoy well still stands. The well is 25 to 30 feet deep, and if it could talk it
would say, "I'm now enjoying the scenery, heritage and especially the
friendly people who . . . — — Map (db m162519) HM
On Kentucky Route 319, 0.2 miles east of Compton Road, on the left when traveling east.
House was located on Blackberry Fork of Pond Creek. It burned Jan. 1, 1888, during a Hatfield raid. Two of Randolph's children, Alifair and Calvin, were killed in attack; their mother Sally was badly injured. Randolph and other children escaped. . . . — — Map (db m55887) HM
On State Highway 319, 0.7 miles Right Turkey toe Branch, on the left when traveling west.
Newly Discovered Artifacts at Patriarch Randall McCoy's Home
in Rural Hardy, Kentucky,
Uncover Clues About Infamous
McCoy and Hatfield 1888 Showdown
2013 Marks the 125” Anniversary of the Legendary
Hatfield-McCoy New Year's Day . . . — — Map (db m162521) HM
On Toler Road (Kentucky Route 319) west of Kentucky Route 1056, on the right when traveling west.
(obverse)
In 1873 Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing his hog. A trial followed, presided over by Reverend Anderson Hatfield, justice of the peace. To be fair, the jury consisted of six Hatfields and six McCoys. One witness, . . . — — Map (db m50663) HM
On Toler Road (Kentucky Route 319) west of Kentucky Route 1056, on the right when traveling west.
In the fall of 1878, Randolph McCoy brought charges against Floyd Hatfield for stealing one of his hogs. The resulting trial occurred here and was presided over by the local justice of the peace, Preacher Anderson Hatfield. Preacher Anderson was . . . — — Map (db m50667) HM
On Toler Road (Kentucky Route 319) 0.1 miles west of Kentucky Route 1056, on the right when traveling west.
Among the graves in the McCoy Cemetery are those of Randolph McCoy's three sons - Tolbert, Pharmer, and Randolph Jr. - all killed by the Hatfields. Also buried here are Alifair and Calvin McCoy, who were killed by the Hatfields when cabin was . . . — — Map (db m50661) HM
On Kentucky Route 1056 south of River Street, on the right when traveling north.
This episode is result of August 1882 election-day fight. Tolbert, a son of Randolph McCoy, exchanged heated words with Ellison Hatfield, which started a fight. Tolbert, Pharmer and Randolph McCoy Jr. stabbed Ellison to death. Later the three . . . — — Map (db m50662) HM
1917–1918. They gave their all in their country’s service. Rufus Adkins • Basil Ball • Jesse D. Belcher • William Bevins • William C. Brown • William B. Burke • Ervin Childers • Wade Cummings • James S. Elliott • Josh Fife • Oliver H. . . . — — Map (db m146149) WM
On Main Street north of Pike Street, on the left when traveling north.
Born in Parkersburg. WV, in 1818
Dils came to Pikeville circa 1840
and became a merchant. In Oct.
1861, while the area was under
Confederate control, he was arrested
for Union sympathies. Sent to Libby
Prison in Richmond, VA, he was
quickly . . . — — Map (db m146142) HM
For Zebulon M. Pike, 1779-1813.
Born New Jersey. Entered army,
1794; served on frontier. Sent to
trace Mississippi River source,
1805, and to explore headwaters
of Arkansas and Red Rivers, 1806,
when he discovered Pikes Peak.
Brig. Gen. Pike . . . — — Map (db m146146) HM
Near Chloe Road (Kentucky Route 1460) east of South Bypass Road (Kentucky Route 1460), on the left when traveling east.
Colonel John Dils purchased the property in 1871 on which this cemetery is located. He was the colonel of the 39th Kentucky Infantry in the Civil War. In addition to Colonel Dils, there are several Civil war veterans buried here with the original . . . — — Map (db m146195) HM
Near Chloe Road (Kentucky Route 1460) east of South Bypass Road (Kentucky Route 1460), on the left when traveling east.
Colonel John Dils purchased the property in 1871 on which this cemetery is located. He was the colonel of the 39th Kentucky Infantry in the Civil War. In addition to Colonel Dils, there are several Civil war veterans buried here with the original . . . — — Map (db m146197) HM
On Huffman Avenue at Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Huffman Avenue. Reported unreadable.
James Abram Garfield was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, November 10th, 1831. An 1856 graduate of Williams College, he taught classics and became President of Western Reserve Eclectic Institute (later Hiram College), Ohio. In 1859 he was elected to . . . — — Map (db m146171) HM
On Hambley Boulevard (Business U.S. 460) just north of Division Street, on the right when traveling north.
Born in Pike County, this poet
was a daughter of former slaves,
Frank and Sibbie Waller. All of
their children attained a greater
degree of education than usual
at that time. They earned teaching
certificates at Ky. State Normal
School for . . . — — Map (db m146166) HM
On Kentucky Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
Hanging site of Ellison Mounts, Feb. 18, 1890. Seven other Hatfield supporters indicted for murder of Alifair McCoy were sentenced to life in prison. By the time of his trial, Mounts had confessed. He was also found guilty, but the jury recommended . . . — — Map (db m50815) HM
Near Huffman Avenue at Main Street, on the right when traveling east. Reported unreadable.
In December 1861, Col. James A. Garfield, 42nd Ohio Infantry, was selected by General Don Carlos Buell to take a force tot he Big Sandy Valley of Kentucky to clean the region of the Rebels. The previous month, Union General William . . . — — Map (db m146170) HM
On Chloe Road (Kentucky Route 1460) east of South Bypass Road (Kentucky Route 1460), on the right when traveling east.
The feud resulted, in part, from
Civil War conflicts, romantic
entanglements, family-oriented
discord, property and election
disputes, mixed with mountain
pride. Violence surrounding clan
leaders Anderson Hatfield and
Randolph McCoy . . . — — Map (db m146181) HM
Near Huffman Avenue at Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
Here Col. Garfield was commissioned Brigadier General in the Union army. The man who later became president was sworn in as general by Squire Charles of Pike County January 1862. — — Map (db m146169) HM
On Main Street at Pike Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street.
(side 1)
Aviation pioneer graduated from Pikeville College Academy in 1920.
Flew plane under Pikesville’s Middle Bridge on July 4, 1923.
Trained as a pilot in US Army, he & T. Higbee Embry founded the Embry-Riddle Flying School . . . — — Map (db m110100) HM
On Scott Avenue at Main Street, on the right when traveling east on Scott Avenue.
After Hatfields burned the McCoy home, January 1, 1888, Randolph and Sarah McCoy never returned to Blackberry Creek. Governors of Ky. and West Va. urged Hatfields and McCoys to move away from each other. McCoys purchased house near river bank on . . . — — Map (db m50673) HM
On North Mayo Trail, 0.2 miles from U.S. 23/119/460, on the right when traveling south.
Designer: O.S. Batten
Contractor: Local WPA Crews
Year Built: 1936
The Pauley Bridge was placed on the
National Register of Historic Places in 1991
Renovation was completed in 2006 and re-opened
as a pedestrian and bicycle . . . — — Map (db m198614) HM
On Division Street east of Main Street, on the right when traveling east.
Courthouse erected 1888-89 by McDonald Bros.; later renovated 1932-33. Here was scene of Hatfield clan trials for murders of Tolbert, Randolph, Jr., Pharmer, Alifair, and Calvin McCoy. The defendants lodged in adjacent jail; found guilty and . . . — — Map (db m56342) HM
On Hambley Boulevard (Business U.S. 460) at Huffman Avenue, on the left when traveling north on Hambley Boulevard.
Established by the Presbyterian
Church in 1889 for the education
of youth from the mountains of
Southern Appalachia. It now draws
students from many states and
foreign lands. The Celtic Cross,
visible from many points of wide
area, symbolizes . . . — — Map (db m146167) HM
On College Street north of Hibbard Street, on the left when traveling south.
Established by the Presbyterian Church. Building erected, 1889. The brick was fired on the site, using clay from nearby riverbank. Structure served as school, chapel, and community center for many years. Designated on National Register, 1974; used . . . — — Map (db m50816) HM
On Bob Amos Drive, 1 mile past Clair Lane, on the right when traveling north.
This "Cut-Through” project, the dream of Dr. Wm. C. Hambley, is the largest engineering feat in the US and second in the world only to the Panama Canal. It was started in 1973 and finished in 1987, at a cost of $77,593,691. 18,000,000 cubic yards of . . . — — Map (db m212047) HM
On Cedar Creek Road (Kentucky Route 1384) at Bob Amos Drive, on the right when traveling east on Cedar Creek Road.
This "Cut-Through” project, the dream of Dr. Wm. C. Hambley, is the largest engineering feat in the US and second in the world only to the Panama Canal. It was started in 1973 and finished in 1987, at a cost of $77,593,691. 18,000,000 cubic yards of . . . — — Map (db m212049) HM
Near Chloe Road (Kentucky Route 1460) east of South Bypass Road (Route 1460), on the left when traveling east.
The Dils Cemetery is believed to be the first integrated cemetery in Eastern Kentucky. Colonel John Dils, who was opposed to slavery, gave many freed slaves jobs in his tannery and general store. He later provided gravesites for them and their . . . — — Map (db m146196) HM
On Main Street just north of Grace Avenue, on the right when traveling north.
This tablet is dedicated to the memory of the Revolutionary Soldiers buried in Pike County.
Dennis Dailey • James Atkinson • Joseph Ford • James Jackson • Moses Stepp • Christian Trout • Pleasant Childers • Thomas Steward • Abriam Potter • . . . — — Map (db m148028) WM
On Bob Amos Drive at Cedar Creek Road (Kentucky Route 1384), on the left when traveling south on Bob Amos Drive.
Welcome to Pike County, Kentucky, home of Patty Loveless.
US 23 was named “The Country Music Highway” in 1994 in recognition of the numerous country music stars from the region. In 2002 through the efforts of Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers and . . . — — Map (db m212048) HM
On Big Blue Springs Road south of State Route 1056, on the left when traveling south.
Asa Harmon McCoy, a Union soldier, was shot in 1865 by the Logan Wildcats. The Wildcats were led by Confederate "Devil Anse" Hatfield. Jim Vance was the suspected leader in the murder, although there was never a conviction. This was the first . . . — — Map (db m50660) HM
On Collins Highway (Kentucky Route 122) 2.1 miles south of U.S. 460, on the left when traveling south.
Born in Lancaster, Pa. to immigrant German parents. Joined 4th Virginia Infantry in fall of 1776. Saw George Washington’s retreat across the Hudson in Nov. Served until 1779. Married Sarah Phillips in 1780. Settled in Shelby Valley in 1800. Sarah . . . — — Map (db m146230) HM
On Lower Stringtown Road at Kentucky Route 292, on the right when traveling west on Lower Stringtown Road.
Sarah Elizabeth, “Little Sally,” was the daughter of Roseanna
McCoy and Johnse Hatfield. She was born in the spring of
1881 and died when she was only eight months old. In 1880,
Roseanna met Johnse at an Election Day celebration . . . — — Map (db m146138) HM
Near Lower Stringtown Road at Kentucky Route 292, on the right when traveling west.
Sarah Elizabeth, “Little Sally,” was the daughter of Roseanna
McCoy and Johnse Hatfield. She was born in the spring of
1881 and died when she was only eight months old. In 1880,
Roseanna met Johnse at an Election Day celebration on
Blackberry . . . — — Map (db m146139) HM
On Kentucky Route 292 at Lower Stringtown Road, on the right when traveling south on State Route 292.
Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) McCoy was the daughter of Rosanna McCoy and Johnse Hatfield. Her parents’ love affair played a role in the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud. Although circumstances prohibited the two from marrying, the child was born in 1881 and . . . — — Map (db m146141) HM