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McCreary County Kentucky E-mail
McCreary County Kentucky Map

 

County Introduction
McCreary county was established in 1912 and named after James B. McCreary (1838-1918), a lawyer, Confederate officer, Kentucky Senator, Kentucky Representative and Kentucky Governor. The county seat is Whitley City.


County Origins
McCreary County, Kentucky was formed from Pulaski County, Wayne County, and Whitley 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
4-H Craft Center4 mi. W. of Cumberland Falls Park, KY 90 Established 1963 by 4-H Clubs of McCreary County, the first such center in the U.S. developed by 4-H Clubs. The original log cabin built on this site in a 200-acre land grant to John Abbott, 1842. Abbott and Indian wife, Oocella, lived in cabin until 1863. The cabin used continuously as a home by five generations until rebuilt as "Falls 4-H Craft Center."
First Kentucky Oil WellWhitley City, Courthouse lawn, US 27 In 1818, Marcus Huling and Andrew Zimmerman were drilling salt wells along South Fork of Cumberland River. On land leased from Martin Beaty they struck oil. Attempts to market it downriver were not successful, so oil was barreled and carted away for medicinal use. This was the first commercial oil well; its production reached one hundred barrels daily. See over.
Timber Tunnel4.8 mi. W. of Yamacrow, KY 92 In 1899 Longsworth and Co. bought from Benj. F. Coffey the timber on 1,485 acres of Wolf Creek Valley. Built steam powered mill on creek and tramroad to Cumberland Fork, 10 miles. A 20-foot tunnel drilled thru rock 80 feet below here is still open. Mule drawn tramcars moved products to river, then by wagon to the railroad at Marshes Siding. Timber out in 15 years.
Robbers' Roost Cave21/2 mi. W. of Strunk, Jct. new US 27 & KY 1470 Hideout of bandits, 1819-22, two miles west. They preyed on salt dealers returning to Beatty's salt mine along nearby trails. Legend is that Beatty, trying to outwit bandits, sent a young Harmon girl to the salt market, but she was kidnaped. Friendly Cherokee Chief Little Jake, son of Big Jake and Princess Cornblossom, rescued her and drove the outlaws out of area.
Princess CornblossomNear Stearns, US 27 Burial site of daughter of Chief Doublehead. Legend is that as a young girl she accompanied her father at signing of Treaty of Sycamore Shoals, 1775, transferring Cherokees' land between Ohio and Cumberland rivers to Transylvania Society. As'Quaw tribe settled in region south of river. Protecting tribe's secret mine, she killed a renegade. Married Big Jake, trader.
McCreary County, 1912Whitley City, Courthouse lawn, US 27 Taken from parts of Pulaski, Wayne, and Whitley counties, it was the last formed of Kentucky's 120 counties. Named for James B. McCreary, 1838-1918. Lawyer, Col., 11th Ky. Cavalry, CSA. State legislature, 1869-75. Twice governor of Kentucky, 1875-79 and 1911-15. Delegate to International Monetary Convention, Brussels, 1892. US Congressman, 1885-97, 1903-09.
Stephen's Old Mill4 mi. E. of Pine Knott, KY 92 Standing for over a century, this mill was used on occasion until recently. Original poplar rafters and millstones are still intact. In 1952, new metal 16-foot overshot wheel replaced old wooden one. During the Civil War, Confederates took mill in hopes of finding grain. Similar mills were in most early communities. "Toll" for grinding usually an eighth of the grain.
Sandhill 4-H Conservation Camp7 mi. from Cumberland Falls State Park, KY 700, 41/2 mi. off US 27 Established in 1959, this was first county 4-H conservation camp in Ky. Its purpose, teaching youth the appreciation and care of natural resources, is a cooperative program of the U.S. Forest Service, County Board of Education, and U.K. Extension Service. The camp, in the heart of Daniel Boone National Forest, is used during all seasons.

 

Historical Items For Sale
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