BELL COUNTY HISTORICAL MARKERS
List from the Kentucky Historical Society
please send your photos of the historical markers!
A Masterful Retreat
(Marker Number: 521)
Location: Cumberland Gap, US 25-E
Description: During the Civil
War, Cumberland Gap was held alternately by Union and CSA armies. USA forces
under Gen. George W. Morgan occupied it June 18 to Sept. 17, 1862. Cut off from
supplies and surrounded, Morgan with 9,000 men retreated successfully to Greenup
on Ohio River, 200 miles in 16 days over mountain roads, and despite the
harassment of CSA Morgan's Raiders.
Colonel Arthur Campbell
(Marker Number: 129)
Location: Middlesboro, US 25-E
Description: Grave of Colonel
Arthur Campbell (1734-1811). Statesman, Revolutionary soldier, justice,
legislator, County Lieutenant. Sons, James and John, killed in War of 1812.
Cumberland Ford
(Marker Number: 1426)
Location: KY 66 & Pine St., Pineville
Description: One of the most
important points on the Wilderness Road marked by Daniel Boone in 1775. Ford
first used by Indians, then by early explorers and the Long Hunters. After Boone
opened the way west, more than 100,000 settlers used the crossing as a gateway
to Ky. During Civil War ford occupied by both Union and CSA troops because of
its strategic location.
Henderson Settlement
(Marker Number: 1286)
Location: S. of Pineville at Bert Combs Forestry Bldg., KY 190
Description: Rev. Hiram M.
Frakes founded this Methodist Settlement in 1925. Begun in a cabin with 13
students, it became an institution for spiritual and educational development of
mountain youth. Frakes guided and influenced the entire Middle Laurel Fork
Valley. Their simply expressed gratitude for his work was, "Parson, we're glad
you came." Settlement is 17 miles west on KY 190.
Invasion and Retreat
(Marker Number: 683)
Location: Pineville, US 25-E
Description: On route of Gen. E.
Kirby Smith's Confederate invasion of Kentucky, fall 1862, concurrent with that
of Bragg to the west. At Richmond Kirby Smith defeated USA, then occupied
Lexington, Sept. 2. The Battle of Perryville prevented CSA plan to take Central
Kentucky. Kirby Smith's army joined Bragg's, moving through here, Oct. 19-24, on
return to Tennessee. See map other side.
Joshua Fry Bell
(Marker Number: 198)
Location: Pineville, Courthouse lawn, US 25-E
Description: Bell County formed
from Harlan and Knox counties, 1867. Named for Joshua Fry Bell, 1811-70,
Congressman, Ky. Sec. of State. Comr. to Peace Conference in 1861 and state
legislator. He was great-grandson of Dr. Thomas Walker, explorer of Kentucky
wilderness, 1750.
Kentucky-Tennessee Boundary
(Marker Number: 1868)
Location: At Kentucky-Tennessee Boundary
Description: The easternmost
boundary between Ky. and Tenn. began at seven pines and two black oaks,
surveyor's point of reference, about 11/2 mi. south of Cumberland Gap. Surveys
by Steele and Looney (1821) and Matthews (1826) were among those run before
controversy settled by Cox and Peebles, 1858-59. Stone-marked line became
official boundary between the two states.
Middlesboro Golf Club
(Marker Number: 1262)
Location: Middlesboro, at Golf Club, US 25
Description: One of the oldest
in US, founded 1889. The present nine-hole course located on site where original
was laid out by the English developers who came 1886 and brought the golf game
to this mountain region. In 1899, a financial crash in England took most of the
immigrants home, leaving the club with only sporadic golf until 1916, when it
was reorganized by local citizens. Presented by Kiwanis, Lions & Rotary Clubs.
Middlesborough
(Marker Number: 832)
Location: Tourist Info. Center, North 20th St., Middlesboro
Description: English colony
founded in 1886 by Alexander Arthur. Project financed by English company, the
American Association, because of timber and rich mineral deposits here. Almost
100,000 mountainous acres in Va., Tenn., and Ky. purchased for the settlement.
Town was named for Middlesborough, England. Railroad to Knoxville and Cumberland
Gap tunnel built by the company.
Mountain Vision
(Marker Number: 1227)
Location: W. Cumberland Ave., Middlesboro, US 25
Description: Alexander Arthur,
1846-1912, an outstanding figure in history of Middlesboro. He came here in 1885
to prospect, discovering coal and iron ore deposits. President of American
Association, formed to carry out his plans for a mining and manufacturing city.
Watts Steel and Iron Company was one of the largest concerns, having blast
furnaces, brick works, steel mills. Presented by American Assoc. Limited.
Naming of the Cumberland River
(Marker Number: 2045)
Location: Pine Mountain State Park, at Harbell Rd., 1 mi. S. of
Pineville, US 25-E
Description: Near this site
where the creek enters the river, on April 17, 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker first
viewed the river he named for the Duke of Cumberland. Known as the "Narrows,"
this area became a significant gateway for travelers on the Wilderness Road.
Presented by Bell County Fiscal Court.
Oldest House
(Marker Number: 1228)
Location: N. of 19th St., Middlesboro, US 25
Description: Built about 1800 in
Yellow Creek Valley, the second brick house in the county, and the oldest one
still standing. The bricks were made from clay by slave labor. Home of Rev. John
Calvin Colson, "Patriarch of Yellow Creek Valley," preacher, teacher, lawyer,
doctor, farmer, miller, merchant, "being gifted along these lines but not
educated for such pursuits." Presented by Chamber of Commerce.
The Wilderness Road
(Marker Number: 54)
Location: South of Pineville, US 25-E
Description: 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 turnpike (toll road) for 80 years.
Wallsend Mine
(Marker Number: 1272)
Location: Pineville, US 25-E
Description: The first to begin
operations in Bell County, starting in 1889, with 1500 acres of coal land.
Extension of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad to this area in 1888 marked
the beginning of a new industrial era. This mine was not a financial success
until it was purchased by Wallsend Coal and Coke Co., 1904, a Ky. corporation,
but stock held mostly in England. Presented by Pineville Chamber of Commerce
Watts Furnaces
(Marker Number: 1402)
Location: Middlesboro, US 25-E at KY 441
Description: Stood 1/2 mi. SW. A
pair of blast furnaces built by the Watts Steel and Iron Syndicate, Ltd.,
1890-93, and operated until 1898. Each iron shell stack was 75 ft. high with a
maximum inner diameter of 17 ft. Using coke fuel and local ore, they had a
planned capacity together of 400 tons of iron daily, converted to steel at the
same site. See the other side.
(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major
producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal
timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig
iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers,
Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with
depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.