Department of Travel and Tourism
State to Promote Preservation of Boone's Trail Through E. Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Agencies of Kentucky’s Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet are applauding an effort by the national Boone Society to develop and promote the historic Boone Trace through eastern Kentucky. This famous road, which followed trails used by Native Americans and buffaloes, was used by thousands of settlers traveling to Kentucky and beyond, launching the westward movement.

Properly developed, marked and promoted, the trace could become an economic engine stimulating tourism in the region, proponents say.

The Boone Society, a national organization of Boone family descendants, interested genealogists and historians, is working to identify, restore and preserve the trail blazed in 1775 by Daniel Boone, who was then an agent of the Transylvania Company.  Known as the Boone Trace, the 117 mile trail entered Kentucky at Cumberland Gap near Middlesboro, crossed the Cumberland River at Pineville, ran northwest past London, and ended at Fort Boonesborough near Richmond. 

Upon further progress in the Boone Society’s development efforts, the Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism and the Kentucky Department of Parks will assist the Boone Society with promotion of the Boone Trace and its historical significance.

There are four state parks and one national park within the Boone Trace corridor:  the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park,  Pine Mountain State Resort Park,  Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site, Levi Jackson State Park, and Fort Boonesborough State Park.

In 1915, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) placed 12 stone markers along the trail to highlight its historical significance. These and other historical markers placed along the route since that time will be the focus of an effort by the Boone Society to list the Boone Trace on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information, visit the Boone Society website at www.boonesociety.org.

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The Kentucky Department of Travel and Tourism is an agency within the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, which promotes the Commonwealth as a travel destination. Tourism in Kentucky has an economic impact of nearly $11.7 billion, supports about 170,000 jobs and generates more than $1.2 billion in taxes.