KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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"Aunt Julia" Marcum
(Marker Number: 672)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Courthouse lawn, US 25-W

Description: Only woman, as a fighter, to receive a U.S. pension: special Act of Congress, 1884. Marcum home in Tenn., a depot for southerners going north to Union army. She lost eye; badly wounded defending home against marauders; then the family came here. Unionist father killed in action. Her life devoted to patriotic, religious work. Died in 1936, age 91, military funeral.

(Subjects: Civil War)

CCC at Cumberland Falls
(Marker Number: 2002)

County: Whitley
Location: Corbin, Cumberland Falls

Description: Some 80,000 Kentuckians served in Civilian Conservation Corps. Three camps located in area (Companies 509, 563, and 1578). All helped develop Cumberland Falls State Park, blazing foot trails, drawing maps, and erecting cabins. Men also built DuPont Lodge; original log structure had 26 rooms, kitchen, and dining room. Lodge and cabins dedicated and given to Ky., 1934.

(Reverse) Civilian Conservation Corps - Roosevelt's New Deal included Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Begun in 1933, the Corps employed men throughout U.S. building roads and dams, and planting trees for flood control. Jobless boys ages 18-25 received 3 meals a day and usually $30.00 a month (most of which went to dependents). By 1941, 2 million youths had participated. Presented by NACCCA, Kentucky Chapter 67.

Clyde V. and Patricia Bennett Building
(Marker Number: 2102)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Walnut St.

Description: This building constructed in 1906 at a cost of $20,000 and known as the Reuben D. Hill Building. Name was changed to the Gray Brick Buidling when it was purchased, along with two other buildings, by the Williamsburg Institute in 1907 from Highland College, a congregationalist college. Presented by Cumberland College.

(Reverse) Clyde V. and Patricia Bennett Building - Administrative offices moved from Roburn Hall to this building and located here 1921-55. Structure also used for classrooms from 1921 to the present. In 2000, Gray Brick Building was renamed Clyde V. and Patricia Bennett Building to honor these friends. Mr. Bennett, 1930-2000, was a businessman and coal executive.

(Subjects: Schools)

County Named, 1818
(Marker Number: 1067)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Courthouse lawn, US 25-W

Description: For Colonel William Whitley, famous leader in over 17 Indian battles. By 1794 had driven Indians from S.E. Ky. Joined Ky. militia in War of 1812. Killed at Battle of the Thames, 1813. Whitley County formed from Knox. Williamsburg, seat of government, also named for Col. Whitley. First court held, 1818, in home of Samuel Cox, first citizen of Williamsburg.

(Subjects: Indians | Thames, Battle of | War of 1812)

Cumberland College
(Marker Number: 1837)

County: Whitley
Location: At College, Main St., Williamsburg

Description: Founded as Williamsburg Institute in 1889 under the leadership of General Green Clay Smith and R. C. Medaris to provide affordable Christian education for mountain people. Early supporters were James P. and Thomas B. Mahan, Ancil Gatliff, Edwin S. Moss, John W. Siler, and John D. Rockefeller. Name changed to Cumberland College, 1913. Over. Presented by Centennial Com. of Cumberland College.

(Reverse) Cumberland College - Alumni include U.S. congressman, Kentucky governors, military officers, medical doctors, missionaries, and university presidents. Among them: Cong. Eugene Siler, Governors Bert Combs and Edwin Morrow, Vice Adm. Charles Blakely, Maj. Generals Ben Baker, Charles Calloway, and Floyd Parks, Brig. Gen. Roy Easley, folk artist Jean Ritchie, and educators William McCall and Cratis Williams.

(Subjects: Schools)

Cumberland Falls Moonbow
(Marker Number: 1801)

County: Whitley
Location: Cumberland Falls State Resort Park, KY 90

Description: The Moonbow that appears here is the only one in the Western Hemisphere. It may be observed under a full moon and a clear sky. An arch of white light is usually produced at base of Falls and continues downstream. Generations of people have visited here to see this natural phenomenon. Last hotel on this site, Moonbow Inn, was named for the moonbow.

First White Men Here
(Marker Number: 898)

County: Whitley
Location: 1-1/2 mi. N. of Williamsburg, KY 26

Description: Dr. Thomas Walker, employed by Loyal Land Co., in 1750 led five Virginians through Cumberland Gap. Built cabin at Barbourville site. Walker and two others went on to Rockcastle River, thence southwest to Young's Creek, up Cumberland River and Watt's Creek to Blake's Fork, Whitley County, and camped April 25. Joined party at cabin, returned to homes in Virginia.

Gillespie Hall
(Marker Number: 2101)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Main St.

Description: Originally Johnson Hall, it was renamed Gillespie Hall in 1995. Built in 1893 and dedicated on February 11, 1894, in memory of William James Johnson, college's first president. Girls occupied the hall for first year; boys occupied the hall from second year to 1913; then reoccupied by girls. Served as cafeteria for school until 1958. Presented by Cumberland College.

(Reverse) Gillespie Hall - In 1913, Johnson Hall enlarged by a gift from Dr. Ancil Gatliff at a cost of $20,000. In Feb. 1929, a two-story home economics building annexed to Johnson Hall as a gift from Mrs. Florida E. Gatliff. Building renovated in 1994-95 and renamed Gillespie Hall in honor of Charles Gillespie of Midland, Texas, friend and supporter. Presented by Cumberland College.

(Subjects: Schools)

John Sharpe (1780-1856)
(Marker Number: 1975)

County: Whitley
Location: 8 mi. NE of Williamsburg off KY 26 on Jacks Ford Rd.

Description: A veteran of the War of 1812, John Sharpe came to this area, then Knox Co., ca. 1817. After service on first Whitley Co. Court, he became first state representative in 1820. Great-grandson, Clifford M. Sharpe, served as state rep. from this district, 1970-1976. This land has been in family since 1822, when John Sharpe obtained a land grant. Presented by Descendants of John Sharpe.

(Subjects: War of 1812)

Kiwanis Trail
(Marker Number: 1517)

County: Whitley
Location: Entrance to DuPont Lodge in Cumberland Falls State Park, KY 90

Description: Corbin-Cumberland Falls Road built by the Kiwanis Club of Corbin. July 10, 1927, first round trip by auto through wilderness from Corbin to Falls stimulated idea for trail. Members of Kiwanis Road Committee were Tom Gallagher, I. O. Chitwood, Robert A. Blair and Wade Candler. Trail completed Sept. 22, 1927. The highway was dedicated in 1931, opening Cumberland Falls to public.

Mahan Hall
(Marker Number: 2084)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Sycamore St.

Description: Mahan Hall was constructed in 1906 for use as a dormitory for men at Cumberland College. Originally named Felix Hall in honor of board of trustees member, Dr. W. H. Felix of Lexington, Ky. Named changed to Mahan Hall, May 1954, in honor of E. C. Mahan of Knoxville, Tenn., to recognize his service to Cumberland College. Hall renovated in 1984. Presented by Cumberland College.

(Subjects: Schools)

Pioneer Hero-Heroine
(Marker Number: 919)

County: Whitley
Location: 11 mi. E. of Williamsburg, KY 92

Description: Graves of Capt. Chas. Gatliff and wife. During Revolution he fought against Indians on Va. frontier, came Ky., 1779. Wife, 4 children among 250 captives taken in 1780 at Martin's Station (Bourbon Co.) to Detroit by British and Indians. In 13 years wife made way back to Va. while Gatliff fought in many Indian campaigns. Reunited, they settled here on land grant, 1793.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians)

Roburn Hall
(Marker Number: 2100)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Main St.

Description: Built in 1888 as the first building of Williamsburg Institute. First known as the "Institute," then an "Old Recitation Building." The land purchased for $800; contractor was J. A. Cooley. The $12,500 building served 200 pupils. First classes, Jan. 1889. Renovated in 1928 for girls' dormitory and named Roburn Hall; extensive renovation, 1993. Presented by Cumberland College.

(Subjects: Schools)

Roy Martis Chappell 1921-2002
(Marker Number: 2201)

County: Whitley
Location: Briar Creek Park, Williamsburg

Description: A Williamsburg native and Ky. State Univ. student, he was a World War II Tuskegee Airman and B-25 navigator and bombardier. He participated in the 1945 "Freemen Mutiny" where 101 black officers fought inequality by entering a segregated officers' club. This induced Pres. Truman to end military segregation three years later. Over.

(Reverse) Helped coordinate Experimental Aircraft Association Young Eagles program to introduce flight and careers in aviation to children. A teacher and guidance counselor, he received awards for his work with youths. He died Sept. 22, 2002, and is buried in Chicago.

(Subjects: African American | Aviation | Civil Rights | Kentucky State College | World War II | Teachers)

Scott's Raid
(Marker Number: 513)

County: Whitley
Location: Williamsburg, Courthouse lawn, US 25-W

Description: Col. John S. Scott with 1,600 of 2nd Cav. Brig. CSA came up from Eastern Tenn. on raid to destroy USA communications and obtain cattle, horses, mules and arms. At Williamsburg on July 25, 1863 he was met by 100 pickets of 44th Ohio Inf. After a skirmish, he drove then toward London. Scott went on to Winchester, retreating then to Tenn. with heavy losses.

(Subjects: Civil War)