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Letcher County Kentucky E-mail
Letcher County Kentucky Map

 

County Introduction
Letcher county was established in 1842 and named after Robert P. Letcher (1788-1861), U.S. Congressman, Kentucky Governor and U.S. Minister to Mexico. The county seat is Whitesburg.



 

County Origins
Letcher County, Kentucky was formed from Harlan County and Perry County.


 

County Lines Redrawn
In 1884, a part of Letcher County was used to form Knott 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
Pound GapJenkins, US 23, 119 Route through here discovered by Christopher Gist, April 1, 1751. Brig. Gen. Garfield and 700 Union troops forced 500 CSA men from here Mar. 16, 1862 and burned CSA supplies. On last raid in Kentucky, Morgan's Raiders dislodged Union forces here June 1, 1864 and moved on to Mt. Sterling, Lexington and Cynthiana. They then returned to Virginia.
Inspiration MountainS. of Whitesburg, US 119 Little Shepherd Trail, part of setting for: Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come, Hell for Sartain, Trail of the Lonesome Pine, by John Fox, Jr., famous for eleven novels of Ky. mountains and the Bluegrass, written 1893 to 1919. Born Paris, Ky., 1863. Harvard, 1883. Spanish-American War, 1898. Moved to Big Stone Gap, Va., 1886, had mining business. Died in 1919.
County Named, 1842Near Whitesburg, US 119 For Robert P. Letcher, during term as Governor of Kentucky, 1840-1844. Born Va., 1788; came Ky. in 1800. Ky. Mounted Militia, War of 1812. Legislature, 7 years, Speaker of House, two years. U.S. Congress, 1823-1835. Presidential elector in 1836. During term as governor he proclaimed first Thanksgiving. Minister to Mexico, 1849-1852. Died 1861; buried Frankfort Cemetery.
Scuttle Hole Gap RoadNear Whitesburg, 7 mi. S. of Jct. KY 15 on KY 931 Indians or buffalo probably were the first to follow this gap and make a trail across Pine Mountain. First white settlers, about 1800, made trail into treacherous wagon road, their only route to Virginia for supplies of flour, salt, and sugar. Called Scuttle Hole Gap, meaning deep gorge through cliffs. Trail goes 7 miles from here into the Cumberland River Valley.
Pioneer AncestorNear Isom, 4 mi. S. of Jct. KY 15 on KY 7 James Caudill, born in Virginia in 1753, first came to Big Cowan Creek in 1787. Because of Indians, he took his family back to North Carolina. Returning here in 1792 with his family, he built a cabin, stayed several years, went back to North Carolina. They settled here permanently in 1811. He was progenitor of a large, widespread mountain family. He died in 1840.
Kingdom ComeKY 931, near Kingdom Come Rd. Jct. Early settlers, ca. 1816, were deeply religious and God-fearing. They chose a name for this beautiful and fertile valley from the words in "The Lord's Prayer." History of this area is typical of that of many communities along the creeks and hollows where descendants of the first settlers still live. It was immortalized by John Fox, Jr., in Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come.
Early Settler2 mi. E. of Whitesburg at Ermine, Jct. KY 119 & 2034 Archelous Craft of Wilkes Co., N.C., was with small band of pioneers who immigrated to Upper Ky. River Valley in 1804. Born December 25, 1749, in Roanoke River area, Craft was a veteran of Revolutionary War; he fought in battles of Hanging Rock and Eutaw Springs. He died November 8, 1853. His unmarked grave is three miles north of Crafts Colly. Presented by Craft Family Reunion Assoc.
Pilot-Spy-HeroWhitesburg, Courthouse lawn Francis Gary Powers and the "U-2 Incident" catapulted activities of the United States into world view. This Burdine native, with other pilots directed by CIA, flew U-2's (high altitude jet gliders) over Russia, photographing missile and industrial sites and nuclear tests. On May 1, 1960, when his plane was diasabled 1300 miles over Russia, Powers parachuted to safety. Over.
JenkinsJenkins, at city limits, US 23 Land bought by John C. C. Mayo and sold to Consolidation Coal Co. to develop town and coal mines. Coal company laid out streets and built houses, stores, hospital, churches, and schools. Town named for George C. Jenkins, a promoter and Baltimore banker. The railroad reached Jenkins ca. 1912. With Consolidation's 14 tipples, Letcher Co. was largest coal producer in Kentucky in 1916.
Lt. Darwin K. KyleNear Jenkins, US 23 & 119 This Congressional Medal of Honor winner fought in Korean War. Born in Jenkins, June 1918, Second Lt. Kyle in U.S. Army with Co. K, 7th Inf. Regt., 3d Inf. Div. Lt. Kyle rallied his men amid intensive fighting to renew attacks on enemy machine-gun positions. He killed 7 men in 2 assaults, then was slain by enemy fire, February 16, 1951. Presented by Letcher County Historical and Genealogical Society.

 

Historical Items For Sale
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