KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Civil War Actions
(Marker Number: 518)

County: Knox
Location: Near city limits of Barbourville, US 25-E

Description: First skirmish in eastern Ky. On Sept. 19, 1861, Zollicoffer's CSA troops approached Barbourville. Home guard obstructed bridge. CSA took another route, were repulsed twice before guards retreated. Considerable property destroyed in town. CSA Gen. Kirby Smith's hdqrs. here Aug. 18 to 25, 1862 while preparing invasion of Central Ky.

(Subjects: Civil War | Kirby Smith, E.)

County Named, 1799
(Marker Number: 782)

County: Knox
Location: Barbourville, US 25-E & KY 11

Description: For Henry Knox, U.S. Sec. of War, 1785-96. Born Boston, 1750. Joined Continental Army, 1775. Battles of Bunker Hill, Brandywine, Yorktown, and others. Command of artillery, 1775. Commissioned Major-General, 1781. Proposed a military academy in 1779, first commandant at West Point, 1782. Organized Society of Cincinnati, 1783. Sec. of War, 1785-96. Died in Maine, 1806.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

First Cabin in Kentucky
(Marker Number: 72)

County: Knox
Location: Barbourville, US 25 & Knox St. [Cumberland Gap Parkway]

Description: Near here is site of first structure built April 1750 by a white man in Kentucky. Erected by Dr. Thomas Walker's party while exploring in the interest of the Loyal Land Company.

Flat Lick, Kentucky
(Marker Number: 1600)

County: Knox
Location: 8 mi. S. of Barbourville at Flat Lick, US 25-E

Description: This area was first used as an Indian camp and later as a Long Hunters' camp. Daniel Boone was here by 1769. At this point three historic roads-Boone's Trace (to Boonesborough), Wilderness Road (to Crab Orchard) and the Warrior's Path (to mouth of Scioto River)-converge and become one road to Cumberland Gap.

(Reverse) Flat Lick, Kentucky - On path of Gen. Felix Zollicoffer when he took Barbourville, Sept. 19, 1861; one of first Civil War skirmishes in Kentucky. Union Gen. G. W. Morgan had sick camp here, 1862. In Aug., Gen. Kirby Smith captured Pineville, Barbourville and Flat Lick, cutting off Morgan's forces at Cumberland Gap. In Sept., Morgan escaped along Warrior's Path to here, Manchester and on to Ohio.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Civil War | Cumberland Gap | Indians | Kirby Smith, E. | Long Hunters | Morgan, George Washington | Roads | Wilderness Road)

Flem D. Sampson (1875-1967)
(Marker Number: 1884)

County: Knox
Location: Barbourville, Courthouse lawn

Description: This Ky. Governor, born in Laurel County, attended Union College. Began law practice here; among partners was Caleb Powers, accused assassin of Wm. Goebel. Sampson served as co. and dist. judge, on Ky. Court of Appeals, and as its chief justice. As gov. (1927-1931) Sampson had to face the problems of Great Depression. Later practiced law here. Buried Barbourville Cem.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Ohio River)

James D. Black (1849-1938)
(Marker Number: 1811)

County: Knox
Location: North Main St. at Union National Bank, Barbourville

Description: Kentucky's 39th governor, native of Knox Co., served for seven months in 1919. As lieutenant governor, he succeeded A. O. Stanley when that official became U.S. senator. Black, a teacher and lawyer, was representative in Ky. House and superintendent of Knox Co. schools. A co-founder of Union College (1879), he named the institution Union to show community support.

(Subjects: Schools)

Union College
(Marker Number: 2054)

County: Knox
Location: Barbourville, 310 College St.

Description: Union College was incorporated in October 1879. The first degrees were conferred here June 8, 1893. Centennial Hall, formerly known as Classroom Building, was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Also named to the Register were Speed Hall in 1982 and Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Gymnasium in 1984.

(Subjects: National Register of Historic Places | Schools)