On Dixie Hwy (U.S. 25) at Rose Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Dixie Hwy.
1964 Jack Massey and John Y. Brown buy Kentucky Fried Chicken corporation from Colonel Sanders.
1969 KFC Corporation purchases the Colonel’s restaurant in Corbin and converts it into a Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant.
1973 . . . — — Map (db m233398) HM
Near Old Wilderness Road, 0.1 miles south of Camp Wildcat Road (Sheltowee Trace), on the right when traveling north.
(Marker #1)
Battle of Camp Wildcat
Kentucky’s first taste of civil war
On October 21st 1861, the stillness of this forest was broken by the sound of musket fire. These hills witnessed the first battle between Union and . . . — — Map (db m84290) HM
Near Old Wilderness Road, 0.1 miles south of Camp Wildcat Road (Sheltowee Trace).
(Marker #1)
The Navy In The Mountains
Needing men with military training and political connections to the region, President Lincoln called upon two Navy officers to help organize the war effort in eastern Kentucky.
William . . . — — Map (db m84338) HM
On N. Laurel Road (U.S. 25) 0.1 miles south of Hazel Patch Road, on the right when traveling south.
(Side One)
Camp Wildcat
Led by Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, 7,500 Confederates on October 21 1861, attacked the entrenched camp of 5,000 Union men under Gen. Albin Schoepf. Union’s natural defense advantage in the Rockcastle Hills . . . — — Map (db m84352) HM
On Old Wilderness Road, 0.5 miles south of Camp Wildcat Road (Sheltowee Trace), on the right when traveling north.
When European colonists began to explore westward from Virginia, they saw this as a wild and untamed land. Their settlements in the east provided them with great comfort and safety compared to what they encountered here. To them, this was a . . . — — Map (db m84286) HM
On N. Laurel Road (U.S. 25) 0.1 miles south of Hazel Patch Road, on the right when traveling south.
When European colonists began to explore westward from Virginia, they saw this as a wild and untamed land. Their settlements in the east provided them with great comfort and safety compared to what they encountered here. To them, this was a . . . — — Map (db m84351) HM
On State Highway 490 at Patton Road, on the left when traveling north on State Highway 490.
Site of Wood’s Blockhouse 1793, one of the earliest permanent buildings in the wilderness. In May 1775, John Floyd and company, including Benjamin Logan, reached here and decided to use Skagg’s Trace. They proceeded westward, camping at the site . . . — — Map (db m87663) HM
Near Old Wilderness Road, 0.1 miles south of Camp Wildcat Road (Sheltowee Trace).
(Marker #1)
Nerve Center for the Union Army
The area around you and along the trail was the headquarters camp of one of the senior Union commanders at Camp Wildcat, Colonel Theophilus T. Garrard.
Theophilus Garrard
A . . . — — Map (db m84339) HM
On Old Wilderness Road at Camp Wildcat Road (Sheltowee Trace), on the right when traveling north on Old Wilderness Road.
On the morning of October 21, 1861, Confederate troops attacked the Union army here at Camp Wildcat. Brigadier General Felix Zollicoffer, leading 7,500 Confederate soldiers, was intent on driving the Union forces from their hilltop position here . . . — — Map (db m84340) HM
On Laurel Road (U.S. 25) at Roaden Lane, on the right when traveling north on Laurel Road.
(side 1)
First Lt. Carl H. Dodd
This Medal of Honor recipient was born in Harlan Co. Dodd served with Co. E, 5th Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army. He was awarded the medal for heroic action in the Korean War for capture of Hill . . . — — Map (db m62761) HM
Near Levi Jackson Road (Kentucky Route 1006) west of Mountain Life Museum Road, on the right when traveling west.
In the days before cars and supermarkets, before modern methods of manufacture were developed, the settlers who carved a living out of the Kentucky wilderness worked hard to provide the basic necessities of life. One of the most important mechanical . . . — — Map (db m138030) HM
On South Main Street at West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on South Main Street.
500 CSA cavalry led by Col. J.S. Scott attacked 200 USA troops and 98 convalescents under Col. L.C. Houk here Aug. 17, 1862, killed 13, wounded 17, captured 111 men and 40 wagons. CSA lost 2 killed, 4 wounded. Houk forced back to Gen. George W. . . . — — Map (db m73980) HM
On Barbourville Road (Kentucky Route 229) at Laurel River Church Road, on the left when traveling west on Barbourville Road.
Known as camping ground as early as 1811, this was a favorite spot for both Indians and whites. Bishop Francis Asbury, enroute to first Methodist conference in Kentucky, 1790, held worship near here. First church was of logs, erected by a generous . . . — — Map (db m234552) HM
Near S. Main Street (U.S. 25) south of Kentucky Highway 229, on the right when traveling south.
(Side One)
Congressmen Buried in London
Wm. H. Randall (1822-81), lawyer, co. clerk, judge, 8th dist. rep. in 38th and 39th Congresses, buried in family plot on East 1st Street. Vincent Boreing (1839-1903), newspaperman, 1st lt. . . . — — Map (db m84428) HM
On Barbourville Road (Kentucky Route 229) at J.M. Feltner Road on Barbourville Road.
After Battle of Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862, CSA gathered at Bryantsville on 11th. Pursuing Union force did not attack but destroyed sources of food. CSA Gen. Bragg started moving forces south, Oct 13. USA under Gen. Buell pursued to here, where he . . . — — Map (db m73928) WM
On Mountain Life Museum Road at Levi Jackson Road (Kentucky Route 1006), on the left when traveling east on Mountain Life Museum Road.
The McNitt Company, a group of early settlers organized in Virginia for protection on the trip to Kentucky settlements, was camped here on Boone’s Trace. Failing to post a guard they were massacred by Indians on October 3, 1786. The victims were . . . — — Map (db m172968) HM
Near Levi Jackson Road (Kentucky Route 1006) west of Mountain Life Museum Road, on the left when traveling west.
Perhaps the greatest skill in milling was the ability to keep the stones in working order. Although good millstones will last for centuries, constant grinding wears them smooth. Chiseling the furrows and removing glazed, rough, and uneven spots is . . . — — Map (db m138031) HM
On South Main Street, on the right when traveling north.
Entered on the National Register
of Historic Places
August 19, 1974
Federal Building
U.S. Courthouse
London Kentucky
James Knox Taylor
Architect 1909-11
This property significantly contributes to the
nation's cultural . . . — — Map (db m210508) HM
On Mountain Life Museum Road, 0.3 miles north of Travis Road, on the right when traveling north.
Formed in 1825 out of portions of Clay, Rockcastle, Whitley, and Knox counties. The abundance and beauty of laurel shrub impressed the early pioneers so much that they named the county for it. Dr. Thomas Walker's party, exploring for the Loyal Land . . . — — Map (db m136800) HM
On N. Main Street (U.S. 25) north of E. Maple Street, on the right when traveling north.
In 1826, the legislature granted land to Laurel and some other counties for educational purposes. Land sold; Seminary opened, 1858. Used for hospital in Civil War. Gov. W.S. Taylor called special session of legislature here, 1900. Common school, . . . — — Map (db m87754) HM
Near Group Campground Road near Levi Jackson Mill Rd (Kentucky Route 1006).
At this site on October 3, 1786 a young woman of the McNitt Party, settlers who came to be known as the “Defeated Camp”, gave birth to a daughter in a hollow tree after escaping an Indian massacre that killed all but 3 members of their . . . — — Map (db m172971) HM
Near Levi Jackson Road (Kentucky Route 1006) west of Mountain Life Museum Road, on the left when traveling west.
The story of millstones is the story of man's struggle against hunger.
Using millstones was the best way to grind grain for over 2000 years. An alternative method was not popularized until around 1870, when roller mills were developed that cut . . . — — Map (db m138020) HM
Here was one of the four defense posts established to protect emigrant parties moving westward. Approximately five miles south of London, Modrel's Station offered safety for about a year, during 1793-94, until the Indian menace ended. Robert Modrel . . . — — Map (db m73974) HM WM
Poynter Building-built 1910 W.H. Poynter, restored 1984 Warren N. Scoville has been entered in the National Register of Historical Places by the United States Department of the Interior, August 8, 1985. — — Map (db m73981) HM
On College Street at W. 5th Street, on the right when traveling south on College Street.
(Side One)
Sue Bennett Memorial School, named for Madison Co. promoter, opened 1897 to educated mountain children. Funded by local people and the Methodists, school taught all grades. Commercial Dept. Opened 1901; county high school, . . . — — Map (db m87753) HM
Near Swiss Colony Lane at Hawk Creek Road, on the right when traveling west.
Bernstadt, Kentucky, also known as Swiss Colony, was founded in 1881 by Swiss immigrants from Bern, Switzerland, through efforts of Paul Schenk.
The First Evangelical Protestant Church of Bernstadt was pastored by Rev. Melchior Denny. It was . . . — — Map (db m88213) HM
Near Hawk Creek Road at Swiss Colony Lane, on the right when traveling north.
Founded 1881, this was Kentucky’s largest foreign colony. Swiss farm crisis and high land prices caused mass emigration. Paul Schenk and Otto Bruner, agriculturists, and Karl Imobersteg, owner of large passage office, promoted venture. These Swiss . . . — — Map (db m88211) HM
On N. Main Street (State Highway 80) south of E. 11th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Opened Kentucky and the west to rapid settlement and major development. First wagon road built by Kentucky, 1796 Crab Orchard to Cumberland Gap. A principal highway, maintained as a turnpike “toll road” for 80 years. — — Map (db m84426) HM
On North Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
This clock is to
honor my father
Warren N. Scoville,
who was one of the
founding fathers and
the first president of
London Downtown.
His efforts to
improve London will
always be remembered. — — Map (db m210506) HM
Near Levi Jackson Road (Kentucky Route 1006) west of Mountain Life Museum Road, on the right when traveling west.
One of the greatest problems faced by the early millers was where and how to obtain suitable millstones. Rocks of exceptional hardness were required. Since suitable rock was not locally available, a long journey in the back of an ox-driven wagon . . . — — Map (db m138028) HM
Site of home-tavern built, 1804, by John Freeman on Revolutionary War land grant. The tavern stood beside historic Wilderness (wagon)Road built by Kentucky between Cumberland Gap and Crab Orchard in 1796. A principal highway, it promoted settlement . . . — — Map (db m73929) HM
Wilderness Road 1775-1795 Wilderness Road crossed Boone Trace here-Laurel County established 1825-London 1836
1775-1795 Boone Trace-Kentucky Sesquicentennial 1792-1942 George Rogers Clark passed this way 1776 to Virginia for help for . . . — — Map (db m73977) HM
On Dixie Highway (U.S. 25) south of Colonel Sanders Street, on the right when traveling south.
Birth of a Legend Kentucky's Most Famous Citizen
Colonel Harland Sanders began the part of his life that brought him fame in a small gasoline service station on the opposite side of this highway. Born on September 9, 1890, near Henryville, . . . — — Map (db m24612) HM
On Old Crab Orchard Road at Kentucky Highway 3434, on the right when traveling west on Old Crab Orchard Road.
The “Madison Branch” of Wilderness Road was last 18th century link from Cumberland Gap to central Kentucky. By legislative act of March 1, 1797, Joseph Crockett built new road from Milford, then seat of Madison Co., to intersect with . . . — — Map (db m88210) HM