KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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County Named, 1821
(Marker Number: 808)

County: Pike
Location: Pikeville, Courthouse lawn

Description: For Zebulon M. Pike, 1779-1813. Born New Jersey. Entered army, 1794; served on frontier. Sent to trace Mississippi River source, 1805, and to explore headwaters of Arkansas and Red Rivers, 1806, when he discovered Pikes Peak. Brig. Gen. Pike killed in attack on York, Canada, April 27, 1813. Military burial, Sackett's Harbor on shore of Lake Ontario, N.Y.

(Subjects: War of 1812)

Daniel Boone's First Steps in Kentucky
(Marker Number: 2203)

County: Pike
Location: KY 80, Elkhorn City

Description: Boone 1st visited Ky. on hunting trip in 1767-68. Hunted Clinch River before coming to Russell Fork of the Big Sandy River. Followed rim of Breaks Canyon through present-day Elkhorn City. He tracked 50 miles along buffalo trace to a salt lick at modern David, Ky. Wintered there before following same route home.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Buffalo Trace | Rivers)

Effie Waller Smith
(Marker Number: 1959)

County: Pike
Location: Pikeville, Hambley Blvd. at Police Dept.

Description: Born in Pike County, this poet was a daughter of former slaves, Frank and Sibbie Waller. All of their children attained a greater degree of education than usual at that time. They earned teaching certificates at Ky. State Normal School for Colored Persons (now Ky. State University) in Frankfort.

(Reverse) Effie Waller Smith - In addition to being featured in major literary magazines, she published three poetry books: Songs of the Months (1904), Rhymes from The Cumberland (1909), and Rosemary and Pansies (1909). She married in 1909, was widowed in 1911, and moved to Wisconsin in 1918. Buried in Neenah, Wisconsin. Smith's last published poem, "Autumn's Winds," appeared in Harper's Monthly, 1917.

(Subjects: Kentucky State College | Poets | Schools)

Elkhorn City's Railroads
(Marker Number: 2130)

County: Pike
Location: Pine St., Elkhorn City

Description: Two major railroads, C & O from north and Clinchfield from south, connected at Elkhorn City, Feb. 8, 1915, opening up trade from Ohio Valley to South Atlantic Region. Elkhorn City became important railroad town. Trains went through several times a day transporting goods from north and south and coal and timber from surrounding area. Presented by Elkhorn City Heritage Council, Inc.

(Subjects: Coal | Railroads)

Feudists on Trial
(Marker Number: 1913)

County: Pike
Location: Kentucky Ave., Pikeville College campus, Pikeville

Description: Hanging site of Ellison Mounts, Feb. 18, 1890. Seven other Hatfield supporters indicted for murder of Alifair McCoy were sentenced to life in prison. By the time of his trial, Mounts had confessed. He was also found guilty, but the jury recommended the death penalty. Pike County sheriff carried out sentence. This was one of the last episodes in Hatfield-McCoy feud.

(Subjects: Hatfield-McCoy Feud)

Hog Trial
(Marker Number: 2066)

County: Pike
Location: McCarr, Next to Post Office, KY 319

Description: In 1873 Randolph McCoy accused Floyd Hatfield of stealing his hog. A trial followed, presided over by Reverend Anderson Hatfield, justice of the peace. To be fair, the jury consisted of six Hatfields and six McCoys. One witness, William Staton, stated he had seen Floyd mark the hog's ear. This resulted in Floyd's acquittal. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

(Reverse) Election Fight - In August 1882 an election was held near Jerry Hatfield's house. A fight broke out between Tolbert McCoy and Elias Hatfield. Tolbert's brothers joined in the fight as did Ellison Hatfield, who was stabbed and shot. He later died in West Virginia. The McCoy brothers were captured and killed in the "pawpaw tree" incident. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

(Subjects: Hatfield-McCoy Feud | McCoy, Randolph)

James A. Garfield
(Marker Number: 52)

County: Pike
Location: Pikeville City Park, US 119, 460

Description: Here Col. Garfield was commissioned Brigadier General in the Union Army. The man who later became President was sworn in as General by Squire Charles of Pike County, January 1862.

(Subjects: Garfield, James A.)

John Paul Riddle, 1901-1989
(Marker Number: 2251)

County: Pike
Location: Main and Division Streets, Pikeville

Description: Aviation pioneer graduated from Pikeville College Academy in 1920. Flew plane under Pikeville’s Middle Bridge on July 4, 1923. Trained as a pilot in U.S. Army, he & T. Higbee Embry founded the Embry-Riddle Flying School in Cincinnati, 1925. Incorporated four years later as part of AVCO, which later became American Airlines. Over

Founded the Embry-Riddle School of Aviation in Miami, Fla. During WWII, trained pilots for U.S. and Britain. Later became Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ. Inducted into the Ky. Aviation Hall of Fame and Fla. Aviation Historical Society. Received British Empire award and honorary degrees from Pikeville College & E-R Aeronautical Univ.

(Subjects: Aviation | Schools | World War II)

Known But to God
(Marker Number: 727)

County: Pike
Location: Breaks Interstate Park, KY 80

Description: Here rests the body of a soldier of the Confederacy, struck down by an unknown assassin in May of 1865-apparently on way to home in the South. He was buried in a coffin made of boards rived from a great oak by four men of this community. After the turn of the century, a rose bush marked this final resting place of a soldier who is "Known but to God."

(Subjects: Confederate Army)

Leslie/Lesley Settlement
(Marker Number: 2034)

County: Pike
Location: Mountain Pub Links, Lower John's Creek Rd.

Description: This early permanent settlement in the Big Sandy Valley was named for Rev. War veteran Wm. Robert Leslie (1729-1802). Leslie moved to this site at John's Creek ca. 1790. His son Robert joined him shortly before his father's death. William and Robert are buried in separate plots on original settlement site. Presented by Leslie/Lesley Family Association.

(Subjects: Creeks | Revolutionary War)

McCoy Cemetery
(Marker Number: 2067)

County: Pike
Location: 4 1/2 mi. from Toler, KY 319

Description: Among the graves in the McCoy Cemetery are those of Randolph McCoy's three sons -Tolbert, Pharmer, and Randolph Jr.-all killed by the Hatfields. Also buried here are Alifair and Calvin McCoy, who were killed by the Hatfields when cabin was burned. Cemetery is part of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Historic District. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

(Subjects: McCoy, Randolph)

McCoy Graves Here
(Marker Number: 1728)

County: Pike
Location: Dils Cem., Pikeville Bypass, Pikeville, US 23 & 119

Description: Among some 500 graves in Dils Cemetery are the resting places of Randolph McCoy, clan leader in the Hatfield-McCoy feud; his wife, Sarah; their daughter and son, Roseanna and Sam; and Sam's wife, Martha. This Appalachian vendetta, from Civil War to 1890s, became well known. Dils Cemetery is part of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Historic District. See over.

(Reverse) Hatfield-McCoy Feud - The feud resulted, in part, from Civil War conflicts, romantic entanglements, family-oriented discord, property and election disputes, mixed with mountain pride. Violence surrounding clan leaders Anderson Hatfield and Randolph McCoy eventually involved governors of Kentucky and West Virginia. Deaths and time brought an end to the feud. See over.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Civil War | Hatfield-McCoy Feud | Governors | McCoy, Randolph)

McCoy House
(Marker Number: 2145)

County: Pike
Location: Pikeville, 235 Main Street

Description: After Hatfields burned the McCoy home, January 1, 1888, Randolph and Sarah McCoy never returned to Blackberry Creek. Governors of Ky. and West Va. urged Hatfields and McCoys to move away from each other. McCoys purchased house near river bank on East Main St., and Randolph operated a ferry across the Big Sandy River.

(Subjects: Hatfield-McCoy Feud)

Morgan's Last Raid
(Marker Number: 622)

County: Pike
Location: 4 mi. S. of US 460, US 119

Description: On tragic last Kentucky raid, CSA Gen. John H. Morgan and Raiders entered state June 1, 1864, took Mt. Sterling June 8, lost it on 9th, took Lexington on l0th, and Cynthiana on 11th. USA under General S. G. Burbridge defeated CSA next day. Morgan retreated through here, reaching Virginia June 20. See map on other side. Raiders never recovered from this reverse.

(Subjects: Burbridge, Stephen G. | Civil War | Cynthiana, Battle of | Lexington | Morgan, John Hunt | Mt. Sterling)

Pawpaw Tree Incident
(Marker Number: 2047)

County: Pike
Location: Near Buskirk, KY 1056

Description: This episode is result of August 1882 election-day fight. Tolbert, a son of Randolph McCoy, exchanged heated words with Ellison Hatfield, which started a fight. Tolbert, Pharmer and Randolph McCoy Jr. stabbed Ellison to death. Later the three brothers were captured by Hatfield clan, tied to pawpaw trees, and shot in retaliation. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

(Subjects: Hatfield-McCoy Feud | McCoy, Randolph)

Pike Co. Courthouse and Jail
(Marker Number: 1866)

County: Pike
Location: Main St., Pikeville

Description: Courthouse erected 1888-89 by McDonald Bros.; later renovated 1932-33. Here was scene of Hatfield clan trials for murders of Tolbert, Randolph, Jr., Pharmer, Alifair, and Calvin McCoy. The defendants lodged in adjacent jail; found guilty and sentenced to life in prison except Ellison Mounts, hanged February 18, 1890. Courthouse and jail part of Hatfield-McCoy Feud Historic Dist.

(Subjects: Architects | Courthouses | National Register of Historic Places)

Pikeville College
(Marker Number: 884)

County: Pike
Location: Entrance to College, Hambley Blvd., Pikeville

Description: Established by the Presbyterian Church in 1889 for the education of youth from the mountains of southern Appalachia. It now draws students from many states and foreign lands. The Celtic Cross, visible from many points of wide area, symbolizes its Christian aims and purposes.

(Subjects: Presbyterian Church | Schools)

Pikeville Collegiate Institute
(Marker Number: 1533)

County: Pike
Location: College St. at Kilgore Lane, Pikeville, US 119 & KY 80

Description: Established by the Presbyterian Church. Building erected, 1889. The brick was fired on the site, using clay from nearby riverbank. Structure served as school, chapel, and community center for many years. Designated on National Register, 1974; used since then as the Center for Local Arts and History. Oldest surviving school building in Pike County, 1975.

(Subjects: Presbyterian Church)

Richard Potter
(Marker Number: 2131)

County: Pike
Location: Elkhorn City, Patty Loveless Dr., KY 80

Description: One of the first pioneers to settle in Breaks Canyon area, Richard married Mary Ramey in 1821 and had 11 children; later married Mary "Polly" Wallace. He was a farmer, hunter, and a distillery operator. Richard acquired several thousand acres of land including present-day Breaks Interstate Park and Carson Island, formerly Potter Plantation. Presented by Elkhorn City Heritage Council, Inc.

(Subjects: Early Settlers)

Sally McCoy
(Marker Number: 2176)

County: Pike
Location: Ky. Hwy. 272, Goody

Description: Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) McCoy was the daughter of Rosanna McCoy and Johnse Hatfield. Her parents' love affair played a role in the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud. Although circumstances prohibited the two from marrying, the child was born in 1881 and lived with her mother and Aunt Betty McCoy.

(Reverse) Sally McCoy contracted measles and pneumonia, and died a few months after her birth. The death of Rosanna McCoy's only child, Sally, was a contributing factor in the grief and sorrow that led to the untimely death of Roseanna. Sally was laid to rest in the cemetery at top of hill. Grave is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Hatfield-McCoy Feud | National Register of Historic Places)

Site of Killing of Asa Harmon McCoy
(Marker Number: 2068)

County: Pike
Location: Entrance to Blackberry School, just off KY 1056, near Ransom

Description: Asa Harmon McCoy, a Union soldier, was shot in 1865 by the Logan Wildcats. The Wildcats were led by Confederate "Devil Anse" Hatfield. Jim Vance was the suspected leader in the murder, although there was never a conviction. This was the first incident between the two families. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

Site of Randolph McCoy House
(Marker Number: 2062)

County: Pike
Location: 4 1/2 miles from Toler, KY 319

Description: House was located on Blackberry Fork of Pond Creek. It burned Jan. 1, 1888, during a Hatfield raid. Two of Randolph's children, Alifair and Calvin, were killed in attack; their mother Sally was badly injured. Randolph and other children escaped. Site is part of Hatfield-McCoy Feud Historic Dist. Presented by Pikeville-Pike County Tourism.

(Subjects: Creeks | McCoy, Randolph)

William Ramey
(Marker Number: 2073)

County: Pike
Location: Elkhorn City, Patty Loveless and Russell Streets, KY 80 & 197

Description: William Ramey, born ca. 1782, came from North Carolina. He purchased 200-acre tract near the mouth of Elkhorn Creek in 1816. Served as justice of the peace, sheriff, and commissioner of roads in Pike Co. Acquired thousands of acres by land surveys and county court orders. The founder of Elkhorn City, his descendants still live in the area. Presented by Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council and Descendants of William Ramey.