The races at Sportsman’s Hill began at dawn and were followed by an elaborate breakfast which was prepared in the yard of the house and served out of doors to all the guests. A tradition that continues today at the Kentucky Derby with “The . . . — — Map (db m105501) HM
The threat of an attack by a large Native American raiding party was a very real possibility in 1788 when William Whitley established a horse race track at Sportsman’s Hill. This threat continued for the next six years. By 1794, most attacks were by . . . — — Map (db m105504) HM
Disagreements in early Kentucky were not always settled by duels, but often, by a horse race, run in a straight course of about a quarter mile distance on the public roads. Quarter horses were specifically bred to run these straight-coursed races. . . . — — Map (db m105499) HM
Most American celebrations of the 18th and 19th centuries were centered about the agrarian cycle of planting and harvesting. Autumn, the harvest season, was the time for gathering of people to assist with the harvesting of crops and the trading of . . . — — Map (db m105500) HM
Here off duty til the last reveille, rest the Southern soldiers, few in number, who were slain in this and in adjoining counties during the War of Secession. They fell among strangers, unknown, unfriended, yet not unhonored: for strangers' hands . . . — — Map (db m172630) WM
Site of popular watering place 1827 until early 1930's. Famed for number and excellence of mineral springs. Crab Orchard Salts, medical remedy, produced here by evaporation. — — Map (db m105265) HM
Long Hunters, led by Elisha Walden, first recorded the beautiful orchard of crab apple trees in 1763. Soon, the long hunter's trail from Cumberland Gap to Crab Orchard, as it became known, carried a swelling tide of settlers. Crab Orchard, long . . . — — Map (db m105269) HM
CSA Gen. J.H. Morgan's cavalry on first Kentucky raid, returning from Cynthiana, burned Dix River bridge above here and camped on July 20, 1862. Burned 120 USA wagons here and at Somerset.
See map on other side.
After battle of Perryville Oct. 8, . . . — — Map (db m105264) HM
Panel 1 Forerunner of Kentucky Derby. Site of one of the earliest circular racetracks. Crowd gathered within the half-mile track, able to see entire race. Built about 1780 by Col. Wm. Whitley, owner of estate. A fervent patriot, he built . . . — — Map (db m103736) HM
Built at Whitley's Station by Col. William Whitley, noted pioneer and Indian fighter. He was born in Virginia in 1749, came to Kentucky in 1775, and was killed at the Battle of the Thames in 1813. — — Map (db m103726) HM
Sportsman Hill Site of one of the earliest circular racetracks. Crowd gathered within the half-mile track, able to see entire race. Built about 1780 by Col. Wm. Whitley, owner of estate. A fervent patriot, he built track to contrast with the . . . — — Map (db m103731) HM
Before his death in 1813 at the Battle of the Thames, Whitley suspended the highly competitive racing at Sportsman’s Hill when he discovered evidence that a nail had been put in the hoof of his prized horse. However, evidence in family history and . . . — — Map (db m105502) HM
“The Sport of Kings”, or horse racing, has a long tradition within the culture of the British Crown dating back to 1174, when Henry II held the first recorded royal race at Smithfield. James I had a palace and track at Newmarket where he . . . — — Map (db m105503) HM
