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Pike County Kentucky
Pike County Kentucky Map

 

County Introduction
Pike county was established in 1822 and named after Gen. Zebulon M. Pike (1799-1813), a frontier explorer and hero of the War of 1812. The county seat is Pikeville.



 

County Origins
Pike County, Kentucky was formed from Floyd County.


 

County Lines Redrawn
In 1870, a part of Pike County was used to form Martin County.

Roadside Historical Markers

Roadside historical markers introduce the history of each Kentucky Highlands County. These markers provide interesting facts about many important events, people and places throughout the Highlands.

Marker TitleMarker LocationMarker Information
James A. GarfieldPikeville City Park, US 119, 460 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.
Morgan's Last Raid4 mi. S. of US 460, US 119 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.
Known But to GodBreaks Interstate Park, KY 80 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."
County Named, 1821Pikeville, Courthouse lawn 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.
Pikeville CollegeEntrance to College, Hambley Blvd., Pikeville 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.
Pikeville Collegiate InstituteCollege St. at Kilgore Lane, Pikeville, US 119 & KY 80 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.
McCoy Graves HereDils Cem., Pikeville Bypass, Pikeville, US 23 & 119 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.
Pike Co. Courthouse and JailMain St., Pikeville 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.
Feudists on TrialKentucky Ave., Pikeville College campus, Pikeville 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.
Effie Waller SmithPikeville, Hambley Blvd. at Police Dept. 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.
Leslie/Lesley SettlementMountain Pub Links, Lower John's Creek Rd. 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.
Pawpaw Tree IncidentNear Buskirk, KY 1056 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.
Site of Randolph McCoy House4 1/2 miles from Toler, KY 319 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.
Hog TrialMcCarr, Next to Post Office, KY 319 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.
McCoy Cemetery4 1/2 mi. from Toler, KY 319 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.
Site of Killing of Asa Harmon McCoyEntrance to Blackberry School, just off KY 1056, near Ransom 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.
William RameyElkhorn City, Patty Loveless and Russell Streets, KY 80 & 197 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.
Elkhorn City's RailroadsElkhorn City, Pine St. 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.
Richard PotterElkhorn City, Patty Loveless Dr., KY 80 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.
McCoy HousePikeville, 235 Main Street 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.
Sally McCoyKy. Hwy. 272, Goody 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.

 

Historical Items For Sale