KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Civil War Routes
(Marker Number: 570)

County: Harlan
Location: 4 mi. S. of Cawood, US 421

Description: This area important passageway for Union and Confederate forces. USA moved along Poor Fork and CSA along Clover Fork of Cumberland River; each route reflected local sentiment. February 1862 USA forces under Brig. Gen. T. T. Garrard, grandson of Ky.'s second governor, camped here. Later CSA troops under Gen. H. Marshall camped here.

(Subjects: Civil War | Marshall, Humphrey)

County Named, 1819
(Marker Number: 785)

County: Harlan
Location: Harlan, Courthouse lawn, US 119, 421

Description: For Major Silas Harlan, born Va., 1752, came to Ky. in 1774. Built Harlan's Station, 7 miles south of Harrodsburg on Salt River, 1778. Commanded spies, 1779, in Illinois campaign of Gen. George R. Clark, who said: "He was one of bravest soldiers that ever fought by my side." Killed, 1782, at the battle of Blue Licks while commanding his detachment. Buried at Blue Licks.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Clark, George Rogers | Forts and Stations | Indians | Revolutionary War)

Courthouse Burned
(Marker Number: 588)

County: Harlan
Location: Harlan, Courthouse lawn, US 119, 421

Description: Twenty-two Kentucky courthouses were burned during Civil War, nineteen in last fifteen months: twelve by Confederates, eight by guerrillas, two by Union accident. See map on reverse side. The courthouse at Harlan was burned in reprisal for burning of Lee County, Va., courthouse, October, 1863. County records in clerk's office nearby were saved.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses Burned)

Inspiration Mountain
(Marker Number: 775)

County: Harlan
Location: N. of Harlan, US 119, 421

Description: Little Shepherd Trail, part of setting for: Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Hell for Sartain, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, by John Fox, Jr., famous for eleven novels of Ky. mountains and the Bluegrass, written 1893 to 1919. Born Paris, Ky., 1863. Harvard, 1883. Spanish-American War, 1898. Moved to Big Stone Gap, Va., 1886, had mining business. Died in 1919.

(Subjects: Books | Spanish-American War)

Inspiration Mountain
(Marker Number: 776)

County: Harlan
Location: N. of Cumberland, US 119

Description: Little Shepherd Trail, part of setting for: Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Hell for Sartain, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, by John Fox, Jr., famous for eleven novels of Ky. mountains and the Bluegrass, written 1893 to 1919. Born Paris, Ky., 1863. Harvard, 1883. Spanish-American War, 1898. Moved to Big Stone Gap, Va., 1886, had mining business. Died in 1919.

(Subjects: Books | Spanish-American War)

Joseph Alexander Matthews (1902-1970)
(Marker Number: 1995)

County: Harlan
Location: Benham, Main St., near Ky. Coal Mining Museum, KY 160

Description: Principal of the East Benham High School, 1934-60. Matthews taught math and coached ball teams. The students were children of employees of Wisconsin Steel Coal Company. Joseph Matthews and his wife Ruth were leaders in black community and bought food, clothes, and supplies for the needy. Presented by Students, Faculty, and Friends and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission.

(Subjects: African American | Coal | Schools)

Lynch
(Marker Number: 1803)

County: Harlan
Location: Lynch, KY 160

Description: Built by U.S. Steel Corp., 1917-25, this was largest company-owned town in Kentucky through World War II. Crucial need for steel during WW I led to founding of town, site of millions of tons of high-quality coal. With largest coal tipple then in existence, Lynch had first fully electrified coal mine in U.S. Much of the self-contained, model city dismantled in 1960s by U.S. Steel.

(Subjects: Coal | Steel | World War I)

Lynch Colored High School - West Main High School
(Marker Number: 2109)

County: Harlan
Location: Lynch, 278 W. Main St., KY 160

Description: This brick facility was built in 1923 by the United States Coal and Coke Co., then leased to Lynch Colored Common Graded School District. Students from Benham and Lynch enrolled in the high school. The first four graduates received their diplomas in 1928. See over. Presented by Lynch Pirates Alumni Association.

(Reverse) Lynch Colored High School - West Main High School - W. L. Shobe was principal, 1939-56, and was an outstanding and progressive administrator. After Professor Shobe's retirement, Coach John V. Coleman promoted to principal; school name changed to West Main High. School had many notable students and athletes. Presented by Lynch Pirates Alumni Association and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission.

(Subjects: African American | Coal | Schools)