| County Introduction |
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| Pulaski county was established in 1899 and named after Count Casimir Pulaski (1748-1779), a Polish patriot during the Revolutionary War. The county seat is Somerset. |
| County Origins |
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| Pulaski County, Kentucky was formed from Green County and Lincoln County. It was created 10 Dec 1798. |
| County Lines Redrawn |
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| In 1800, a part of Pulaski County was used to form Wayne County. |
| In 1810, a part of Pulaski County was used to form Rockcastle County. |
| In 1912, a part of Pulaski County was used to form McCreary 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 Title | Marker Location | Marker Information |
|---|---|---|
| Morgan's First Raid | Somerset, Library lawn | CSA General John H. Morgan's first Kentucky raid covered 1,000 miles, July 4 to July 28, 1862-24 days. Left Tenn. with 900 men, returned with 1200, captured 17 towns, 300 horses, destroyed Union supplies. Here, July 21, Morgan took over telegraph line and countermanded USA orders to pursue. Destroyed commissary stores, wagons, arms. Moved on to Monticello. See map. |
| Dutton's Hill Battle | 2 mi. N. of Somerset, KY 39 | March 30, 1863, USA force of 1,250 under General Q. A. Gillmore overtook 1,550 Confederate cavalry under Gen. John Pegram, here. Five-hour battle resulted. CSA driven from one position to another, withdrew during night across Cumberland. Killed, wounded, missing, CSA 200 and USA 30. On nine-day expedition into Ky., CSA had captured 750 cattle and took 537 across river. |
| Confederate Defense Line | Nancy, W. of Somerset, KY 80 | Late in 1861, Confederates sought to prevent Union forces from occupying strategic points in Kentucky and Tennessee, to maintain rail shipments of vital Confederate supplies from Virginia south and west, and to set up bases for future offensive thru Kentucky and Ohio to divide eastern and western Union states. With those aims the Confederate Defense Line was formed from the Big Sandy Valley in east Kentucky thru Cumberland Gap, Mill Springs on Cumberland River, Bowling Green on L & N Ry., to Columbus, Ky. on the Mississippi River. The Forces Move In Brig. Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer in Nov. 1861 built CSA bases at Mill Springs and across Cumberland at Beech Grove, as part of plan. Maj. Gen. George B. Crittenden took command, Dec. 13, 1861. On Jan. 11, 1862, Union forces under Brig. Gen. George H. Thomas started from Lebanon, Ky. to join the Federals under Brig. Gen. Albin Schoepf at Somerset and to attack the Confederate base at Mill Springs. On Jan. 19 Gen. Crittenden moved out with his CSA troops to prevent the Union forces under Gen. Thomas from joining US army at Somerset. |
| Burnside | Burnside, US 27 | First named Point Isabel. Settled about 1800 by pioneers from the Carolinas and Virginia. During the Civil War the Union army, in 1863, set up a troop rendezvous and supply base here as a prelude to East Tennessee campaign of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. The area became known as Camp Burnside in official dispatches and the name Burnside was retained after war. |
| Burnside | Burnside Island State Park, US 27 | First named Point Isabel. Settled about 1800 by pioneers from the Carolinas and Virginia. During the Civil War the Union army, in 1863, set up a troop rendezvous and supply base here as a prelude to East Tennessee campaign of Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside. The area became known as Camp Burnside in official dispatches and the name Burnside retained after war. |
| First Boy Scout Troop | Burnside, US 27 | Before Boy Scouts of America was organized, 1910, a troop of 15 had been formed here, spring of 1908, by Mrs. Myra Greeno Bass. Using the official handbook of English scouting, she guided them hiking and camping, like scouting today. Known as Eagle Troop, Horace Smith was troop leader. Insignia was a red bandanna around neck. Reputed the first American Boy Scout Troop. |
| Pulaski County, 1799 | Somerset Community College, US 27 | Kentucky's 27th formed, its territory taken from Lincoln and Green Counties, was named for Count Casimir Pulaski, Polish patriot and soldier of liberty. He came to US when he learned of the Colonies' fight for freedom. A brigadier general in Revolution, he gave his life to the cause of America, Oct. 11, 1779. Counties in 7 states named for him. Over. |
| Town Spring | South Vine St., Somerset | Near the site of this spring Somerset was established as the county seat in 1801 on forty acres given by William Dodson. The path to it became the town's most traveled street in order to drink from the Old Town Spring. Thus a saying became popular, "Whoever drinks from the Old Town Spring will have wisdom and will always return to Somerset." Over. |
| Home of Governor Morrow | 208 East Oak St., Somerset | Edwin P. Morrow (1877-1935), a native of Somerset, built this house soon after marrying in 1903; he began his Somerset law practice same year. Morrow served in Spanish-American War; appointed U.S. District Attorney for eastern Kentucky by Pres. Taft and elected governor in 1919. A popular orator, he was nephew of Governor Wm. O. Bradley. Buried in Frankfort Cem. |
| Harriette Simpson Arnow (1908-1986) | Burnside, US 27 | The author of such celebrated Appalachian novels as The Dollmaker and Hunter's Horn; social histories include Seedtime on the Cumberland and Flowering of the Cumberland. Born in Wayne County, Arnow spent most of her childhood in Burnside. Moved to Michigan during World War II, but continued to chronicle Appalachian life and people. |
| Felix K. Zollicoffer | 1 mi. S. of Nancy, KY 235 | Brig. Gen. Felix K. Zollicoffer, CSA, died here, Jan. 19, 1862, in Battle of Logan's Crossroads (Mill Springs). This Tenn. native was veteran of Seminole War, editor of Nashville Banner, and 3-term U.S. congressman. In heavy rain and smoke of battle, Zollicoffer was killed approaching USA lines, which he mistook for own troops. Over. Presented by Boy Scout Troop 79 of Somerset for the Kentucky Bicentennial. |
| Historical Items For Sale |
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