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Laurel County Kentucky
Laurel County Kentucky Map

 

County Introduction
Laurel county was established in 1826 and named after the huge growth of mountain laurel and rhododendron shrubs that were prevalent in the area. The county seat is London.



 

County Origins
Laurel County, Kentucky was formed from Clay County, Knox County, Rockcastle County, and Whitley County. It was created on 21 Dec 1825.


 

County Lines Redrawn
In 1858, a part of Laurel County was used to form Jackson 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
The Hazel Patch7 mi. N. of London, KY 490 Half mile east. Crossroads of wilderness. Skaggs Trace, 1769, Boone Trace, 1775. Here Logan disapproved Colonel Henderson's settlement plans and parted company. Site of Wood's Blockhouse, 1793. Earliest permanent building in wilderness.
The Wilderness RoadLondon, US 25 Opened Kentucky and the West to rapid settlement and major development. First wagon road built by Kentucky (1796), Crab Orchard to Cumberland Gap. A principal highway, maintained as a turnpike "toll road" for 80 years.
Defeated Camp: McNitt's Defeat2 mi. S. of London, Levi Jackson State Park, near McHargue's Mill, US 25 Here in 1786 pioneers encamped for the night were attacked by Indians and nearly all were slain or captured.
Battle of LondonLondon, Courthouse lawn, Main St., US 25 500 CSA cavalry led by Colonel J. S. Scott attacked 200 USA troops and 98 convalescents under Colonel L. C. Houk here Aug. 17, 1862; killed 13, wounded 17, captured 111 men and 40 wagons. CSA lost 2 killed, 4 wounded. Houk forced back to Gen. George W. Morgan's main USA force at Cumberland Gap. Cut off from supplies, Morgan began his retreat to Ohio thirty days later.
Laurel SeminaryLondon Elem. School, N. Main St., US 25 In 1826, the legislature granted land to Laurel and some other counties for educational purposes. Land sold; Seminary opened, 1858. Used for hospital in Civil War. Gov. W. S. Taylor called special session of legislature here, 1900. Common school, 1870-84; private school, 1884-93; common school, 1893-1906; then public school. Original building replaced, 1954.
CSA Returns to Tenn.4-H Camp entrance, 4 mi. S. of London, KY 229 After Battle of Perryville, Oct. 8, 1862, CSA gathered at Bryantsville on 11th. Pursuing Union force did not attack, but destroyed sources of food. CSA Gen. Bragg started moving forces south, Oct. 13. USA under Gen. Buell pursued to here, where he decided further pursuit was not expedient. CSA continued on, passing thru Cumberland Gap, Oct. 19-24. See map on other side.
Swiss Colony BernstadtBernstadt, KY 1956 & Hawk Cr. Rd. Founded 1881, this was Kentucky's largest foreign colony. Swiss farm crisis and high land prices caused mass emigration. Paul Schenk and Otto Bruner, agriculturalists, and Karl Imobersteg, owner of large passage office, promoted venture. These Swiss capitalists sold 4,000 acres to colonists, most from Bern. They improved farming; became known for wine and cheese production.
Wilderness Road Inn1/2 mi. S. of Park entrance, KY 229 Site of home-tavern built, 1804, by John Freeman on Revolutionary War land grant. The tavern stood beside historic Wilderness (wagon) Road built by Kentucky between Cumberland Gap and Crab Orchard in 1796. A principal highway, it promoted settlement of Ky. and the West. Operated as a toll road for about 80 years. Inn burned, 1962. Freeman (1761-1841) grave nearby.
Laurel CountyLevi Jackson State Park, at Mt. Life Mus., US 25 Formed in 1825 out of portions of Clay, Rockcastle, Whitley, and Knox counties. The abundance and beauty of laurel shrub impressed the early pioneers so much that they named the county for it. Dr. Thomas Walker's party, exploring for the Loyal Land Company of England, first came to the area in 1750, naming the streams after different members of his party.
Camp Ground Methodist ChurchApprox. 7 mi. S. of London, KY 229 Known as camping ground as early as 1811, this was a favorite spot for both Indians and whites. Bishop Francis Asbury, en route to first Methodist conference in Kentucky, 1790, held worship near here. First church was of logs, erected by a generous gift from Amos Shinkle, who was president of The Covington-Cincinnati Bridge Company. Present building was constructed in 1876.
Pittsburg and Wilderness RoadPittsburg, Old Richmond Rd. & Crab Orchard, just off US 25 The "Madison Branch" of Wilderness Road was last 18th-century link from Cumberland Gap to central Kentucky. By legislative act of March 1, 1797, Joseph Crockett built new road from Milford, then seat of Madison Co., to intersect with improved Wilderness Road at present-day Pittsburg. This point became new "forks of the road" and replaced Old Hazel Patch crossing.
Modrel's StationNear crossing of Laurel River, KY 229 Here was one of four defense posts established to protect emigrant parties moving westward. Approximately five miles south of London, Modrel's Station offered safety for about a year, during 1793-94, until the Indian menace ended. Robert Modrel was later active in settlement of Somerset and represented Pulaski County in Ky. House of Representatives.
Camp WildcatHazel Patch, 7 mi. NW of London, US 25 Led by Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, 7,500 Confederates on October 21, 1861, attacked the entrenched camp of 5,000 Union men under Gen. Albin Schoepf. Union's natural defense advantage in the Rockcastle Hills stopped the Southern troops, who retreated to Tenn. This was major battle during 4 days of skirmishes, attacks, and heavy gunfire. Over. Presented by Laurel County Bicentennial Commission and Forest Service, USDA.
First Lt. Carl H. Dodd (1925-1996)Lily, Cumberland Memorial Gardens This Medal of Honor recipient was born in Harlan Co. Dodd served with Co. E, 5th Regimental Combat Team, U.S. Army. He was awarded the medal for heroic action in the Korean War for capture of Hill 256, a key terrain, with utter disregard for his safety, January 1951, near Subuk, Korea.
Sue Bennett CollegeLondon, W. 5th [KY 1006 W] and College Streets Sue Bennett Memorial School, named for Madison Co. promoter, opened 1897 to educate mountain children. Funded by local people and the Methodists, school taught all grades. Commercial Dept. opened 1901; county high school, 1910-33. Normal school operated, 1900-1910, and became junior college, 1922. Name changed, 1930; closed 1997. Presented by Friends of Sue Bennett.
Congressmen Buried in LondonLondon, A. R. Dyche Memorial Park, 1225 S. Main St., US 25, near KY 229 Wm. H. Randall (1822-81), lawyer, co. clerk, judge, 8th dist. rep. in 38th and 39th Congresses, buried in family plot on East 1st Street. Vincent Boreing (1839-1903), newspaperman, 1st lt. Union army, school supt., 11th dist. rep. in 56th and 57th Congresses, buried in the A. R. Dyche Memorial Park. Over. Presented by Laurel County Fiscal Court.

 

Historical Items For Sale