KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Boone Way
(Marker Number: 1644)

County: Rockcastle
Location: Mt. Vernon, Courthouse lawn, US 25

Description: The 96-mile stretch of road from Crab Orchard to Cumberland Gap was known as the Boone Way. Colonel James Maret, an early advocate of road improvement, was responsible for cutting of roadbed and its first paving. As L & N railroad agent and telegraph operator in Mt. Vernon, Maret developed a concern for road conditions. Highway was in use by 1918; the Boone Way became US 25.

(Reverse) Col. James Maret (1855-1936) - Born in Garrard Co., Maret came here in 1877. He established this county's first telephone exchange and newspaper; was town clerk for 25 years. Maret served as executive secretary of Kentucky's Good Roads Association, and in 1929 published a routing guide, listing over 1200 points in U.S. and Canada. He died in Old Masonic Home, Shelbyville; buried Elmwood Cem., Mt. Vernon.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Louisville and Nashville Railroad)

CSA Returns to Tenn.
(Marker Number: 676)

County: Rockcastle
Location: Mt. Vernon, US 25, 150

Description: After Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862, Confederate forces retired to Bryantsville. Union forces did not attack but destroyed sources of food. General Braxton Bragg began retreat, Oct. 13, in two columns under Generals Polk and Smith. Polk's moved thru here with USA pursuing. The CSA columns retired thru Cumberland Gap, October 19-24. See map on other side.

(Subjects: Civil War | Kirby Smith, E. | Perryville, Battle of | Polk, Leonidas K.)

Great Saltpeter Cave
(Marker Number: 715)

County: Rockcastle
Location: S. of Mt. Vernon, US 25

Description: "Big Cave," five miles SE, source of organic material for production of gun powder from 1797 through Civil War. Important supply during War of 1812. Great rooms with passageway through mountain and interior water stream permitted manufacture inside of the cave. Working by torchlight as many as 70 laborers were employed when production was at high point.

(Subjects: War of 1812)

PFC David M. Smith
(Marker Number: 1643)

County: Rockcastle
Location: At Livingston Pentecostal Church, Livingston, US 25

Description: Homesite of this Congressional Medal of Honor winner, born in Livingston, Ky., November 10, 1926. Church built here, 1974. Smith served with U.S. Army, Co. E, 9th Inf. Regt., 2d Inf. Div., during Korean Conflict. The honor was awarded Private Smith posthumously for his gallantry and outstanding courage in saving five men's lives near Yongsan, Korea. See over.

(Reverse) Medal of Honor Winner - During the Korean War, Pvt. Smith was a gunner in mortar section of Co. E and under attack in rugged mountainous terrain. Encircled by enemy, mortar section was unable to withdraw. Observing a grenade thrown near him, he threw himself on it to smother the explosion and saved the lives of five men. This display of valor cost him the supreme sacrifice, Sept. 1, 1950.

(Subjects: Korean War | Medal of Honor Winners)

Renfro Valley, Kentucky
(Marker Number: 1605)

County: Rockcastle
Location: E. side of entrance to Renfro Valley Barn, Renfro Valley, US 25

Description: From Renfro Valley in November of 1939 originated the first series of radio broadcasts aimed at preserving the customs, culture and music of pioneer America. The Renfro Valley Barn Dance and Sunday Morning Gatherin', carried by network radio, consisted of local people and unknowns who later became nationally prominent in country music. Over.

(Reverse) Renfro Valley, Kentucky - Among those who started their careers here are Red Foley, Homer and Jethro, Lily May and The Coon Creek Girls, Old Joe Clark, Merle Travis and numerous others. John Lair, producer of Renfro Valley broadcasts, took group representing American country music to a White House party Mrs. F. D. Roosevelt gave in honor of the King and Queen of England when they visited U.S.

Rockcastle County, 1810
(Marker Number: 1254)

County: Rockcastle
Location: Mt. Vernon, Courthouse lawn, US 25, 150

Description: The 52nd Kentucky county created, out of Knox, Lincoln, Madison, Pulaski counties. Isaac Lindsey, who came here with a hunting party in 1767, observed a lone rock which resembled an ancient castle. From this the river was named, later the county. Dr. Thomas Walker and party, first white men to visit the interior of Kentucky, were at this rock as early as 1750.

Skaggs Trace
(Marker Number: 1622)

County: Rockcastle
Location: At Ft. Sequoyah Indian Village, near Rockcastle River bridge, US 25

Description: This trail, from the Hazel Patch to Crab Orchard, crosses Rockcastle County. It was a widely used land route through Kentucky for several years and became part of the Wilderness Road. Daniel Boone crossed the Rockcastle River near here in 1775 in blazing Boone's Trace from Cumberland Gap to Boonesborough. See over.

(Reverse) Skaggs Trace - This trace was named for Henry Skaggs, a Long Hunter. Many famous pioneers, including John Floyd, Benjamin Logan and William Whitley, traveled over it. On Oct. 21, 1861, the first Kentucky Civil War battle occurred near here at Camp Wildcat. This first Union victory took place in the Rockcastle Hills. Over.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Camps | Civil War | Floyd, John | Logan, Benjamin | Rivers | Roads | Wilderness Road)