Note the construction of the Midland Trail.

I have a suspicion that until the Midland Trail was constructed, Kentucky Rt. 174 through
Lawton was the principle route west from Olive Hill. The Midland Trail (Rt. 60), ascends a significan hill just west of Olive Hill.
It would have been no joy in the era prior to motorized transport. Rt. 174 in contrast, follows the valley of Tygart's Creek to the
Rowan County line, and once a narrow (but level) pass is transversed, the way west leads through the valley of Triplett Creek to Morehead.
This was apparently the primary Native American east-west route through Carter County, and was probably a bison migration route prior to that. JWG.