Location:
Grayson County, Kentucky
Surnames/tags:
Kentucky GRAYSON COUNTY KY One_Place_Studies
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This profile is part of the Grayson County, Kentucky One Place Study.
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Grayson County
- Profile for Grayson County, Kentucky, including General Information and Resources for Genealogical Research.
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- If you are interested in joining the Grayson County, Kentucky Project, please see the Kentucky Project for instructions.
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The coordinator for this project is:
Bill Vincent
- Note: Grayson County, Kentucky should not be confused with the city of Grayson, the seat of Carter County in Eastern Kentucky. Both were named for Colonel William Grayson.
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| Grayson County, Kentucky
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| Western Kentucky Coal Field Region
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Geography
- Grayson County is located in the Western Coal Field region of Kentucky, in the West-Central part of the state, with an area of 503.68 square miles.
- Grayson County is partly bounded by Rough River on the north and Nolin River on the southeast, and bordered by Breckinridge, Hardin, Hart, Edmonson, Butler, and Ohio counties.
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- The elevation in the county ranges from 395 to 963 feet above sea level.[1]
General Information
- County products include lumber, natural gas, coal, corn, soybeans, hay, wheat, hogs, beef, and dairy cattle.
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- Numerous light-industrial plants in Leitchfield produce a variety of man-made products that are shipped worldwide.
Grayson County Timeline of Events
- 2000 B.C.E.: First Native Americans use Mammoth Cave, in Green River Valley, now in Edmonson County, Kentucky.[2]
- 1776: Kentucky County, Virginia raised from Fincastle County.
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| Grayson County, 1810 - 1824
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- 1780: Jefferson County raised from Kentucky County.
- 1785: Nelson County raised from Jefferson County.
- 1788: U.S. President George Washington purchases 5,000 acres on the southern shore of Rough River from Henry Lee.
- 1789: Cabin[3] built on trail two miles east of Leitchfield, expanded later by B. L. Rogers.
- 1790: Dam and first sawmill built on Rough River.
- 1793: Hardin County raised from Nelson County.
- 1805: Ohio County raised from Hardin County.
- 1809: Joseph Meredith builds grist mill on Rock Creek.
- 1810: Grayson County is raised on 25 January 1810, from a western part of Hardin County and an eastern portion of Ohio County, becoming the fifty-fourth county in Kentucky, and named for Colonel William Grayson[4], an aide to General George Washington and US Senator from Virginia. At this time Grayson County is bounded to the southeast by the Green and Nolin Rivers.
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| Jack Thomas House, built ca.1811
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- 1810: Leitchfield, the county seat, is founded later that same year, and named for Major David Leitch, aide-de-camp to General Lawson during the Revolutionary War, whose widow, Keturah, donated land for the town.
- 1810: Richard May builds log courthouse in one corner of the public square.[5] (See 1864.)
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| Green's Mill Complex at Falls of Rough, Kentucky
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- 1823 The Green Sawmill at Falls of Rough begins operation.
- 1825: Southern portion of Grayson County, lying north of the Green River and west of the Nolin River, is taken to form part of Edmonson County, Kentucky.
- 1826: Millerstown, on the Nolin River, becomes the first community to be formally incorporated.
- 1830: Grayson Springs[6] opens as a popular summer resort and health spa, peaking in prosperity about 1900.
- 1847: The Cedars[3] built by Benjamin Lone Rogers around old 1789 cabin.
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| Grayson Springs Hotel, rebuilt in 1955
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- 1864: Grayson County Courthouse[5] burned on 24 Dec 1864 by retreating Confederate troops.
- 1866: City of Leitchfield is formally incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly.
- 1870s: The Elizabethtown & Paducah Railroad (now Paducah & Louisville) transforms Caneyville, Leitchfield, and other railroad towns into shipping points for agricultural products.
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| The Cedars at Rogers Springs
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- 1896: Grayson County Courthouse[5] burns again on 16 Jun 1896, destroying all records.
- 1900: In early 1900s an asphalt plant opens in Big Clifty and several large lumber mills are established near Clarkson.
- 1924: Walter T. Kelley establishes his Bee Hive Factory in Clarkson, which remains one of the largest manufacturers of bee-keeping supplies in the United States.
- 1936: Grayson County Courthouse[5] burns for the third time on 3 Apr 1936, but no records are lost.
- 1938: Fourth (and current) Grayson County Courthouse[5] is built in the center of the Public Square in Leitchfield.
- 1959: Rough River is damned, creating 637-acre Rough River Lake and 5,100-acre Rough River Reservoir.
- 1961: Rough River State Resort Park opens in August 1961, near Falls of Rough, eventually boasting an airport, fine dining, 40 scenic rooms, 17 cottages, a nearby 18-hole golf course, and other recreational opportunities.
- 1963: Nolin River is damned, creating Nolin River Reservoir.
- 1964: Western Kentucky Parkway is dedicated in Leitchfield, Kentucky, extending over 125 miles, initially from Elizabethtown to Princeton.
- 1965: Leitchfield adopts the title, City of Twin Lakes.
Grayson County Maps
Grayson County Communities
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1850 Map of Kentucky which shows a portion of
Edmonson County, west of Bear Creek, to be within Grayson County
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Grayson County Library
- The Grayson County Public Library [7][8] is a small, local library and a good resource for family history in the area. The library occasionally sells books written by local historians. Also visit the Grayson County Public Library Facebook Page.
Attractions and Features
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| Nolin Lake (by Ken Crawford)
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Nolin River Lake
- Large recreational area that lies partially within southeastern Grayson County. It was created in 1963 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by damming the Nolin River[9][10]
Derives its name from Explorer and hunter Benjamin Lynn[11][12]
Rough River Lake
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| Rough River Lake, South of Clifty Creek
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- Rough River Lake[13] was created by damming the Rough River in 1959.
Rough River Dam stretches 1,590 feet (480 m) across and 135 feet (41 m) high, creating Rough River Lake, a recreational lake of approximately 5,100 acres.
The lake is home to a wide variety of bass including largemouth, smallmouth, Guadalupe, spotted, white, yellow, and striped bass as well as other game fish, making fishing a significant portion of its tourism.
Rough River Dam State Resort Park
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| Rough River Dam State Resort Park
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- Rough River Dam State Resort Park[14][15] was created from land near Rough River Dam in 1961.
The resort features numerous recreational activities including a modern hotel, restaurant, private cottages, golf course, swimming beach, swimming pool, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, camping, and hiking trails.
Kentucky Historical Markers
"The Cedars"
- Marker Number: 1602
- Location: 2 miles East of Leitchfield at Rogers Springs, KY Hwy 1214
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- Built in 1847 by Benjamin Lone Rogers, around a log cabin that dates back to 1789[3]. Mansion took its name from a cluster of trees that originally grew in front of the house. This transitional Greek Revival structure is one of the oldest brick houses in Grayson County. It was center of Rogers Springs community, named for its mineral and fresh-water springs.
County Named, 1810
- Marker Number: 873
- Location: Leitchfield, Courthouse lawn, US Hwy 62
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- For Col. William Grayson, 1740-90, aide-de-camp to Gen. Washington. Lawyer; in Revolutionary Army, 1776-79; Board of War, 1780-81; Virginia Assembly and Continental Congress, 1784-87; State Convention ratifying Federal Constitution, 1788; and first U.S. Senate, 1789-90. Washington once owned 5,000 acres in county, which was formed from Hardin and Ohio counties.
Courthouse Burned
- Marker Number: 589
- Location: Leitchfield, Courthouse lawn, US Hwy 62
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- Twenty-two Kentucky courthouses were burned during Civil War, nineteen in last fifteen months: twelve by Confederates, eight by guerrillas, two by Union accident. See map on reverse side. Dec. 24, 1864, a contingent of CSA Gen. Lyon's force, ordered to harass and delay pursuing Union troops, burned courthouse at Leitchfield. Records destroyed.[5]
Grayson Springs
- Marker Number: 768
- Location: 3 miles East of Leitchfield, KY Hwy 88
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- Site of famous spa[6] started in mid 1820's, owned by M. P. Clarkson, and known for healing powers of its mineral water springs. Resort reached its height in 1900 under ownership of Mercke brothers. Also home of St. Augustine's, first Roman Catholic Church in Grayson County, founded in 1815 by Father Charles Nerinckx, one of the great pioneer missionaries of Kentucky.
Green Mill
- Marker Number: 906
- Location: Falls of Rough, KY Hwy 79, KY Hwy 110
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- Built in 1823, this mill operated continuously by the Green family for over 140 years. It was part of 6,000-acre farm-timber complex supporting several family-owned industries. Farmers from seven counties brought grain for milling into flour and cornmeal. Willis, first of family here, bought land, 1821. Member legislature, 1836-37, and of US Congress, 1839-45.
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| Historical Marker for Jack Thomas House
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Jack Thomas House
- Marker Number: 1634
- Location: East Main Street, Leitchfield
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- First story, east wing of house, was the earliest brick residence in Grayson County.[16] It was built ca. 1810 by Jack Thomas, first county and circuit court clerk. He added two-story brick wing on north, Federal style. Despite alterations of the 1870s-80s, original walls remain. A striking feature of construction is uniform log joists supporting first floor.
Leitchfield Landmarks
- Marker Number 1741
- Location: Leitchfield, Clinton & Market Streets
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- Leitchfield was laid off 1810, and named for David Leitch, prominent landowner and founder of Leitch's Station. His estate gave land for Grayson's county seat. Site chosen because of fresh water springs, particularly "Big Spring" nearby. Grayson's first circuit court met under large oak tree on this hill; Judge Henry P. Broadenax presided. Town was incorporated in 1866.
Pioneer Family
- Marker Number: 1828
- Location: KY Hwy 224, East of KY Hwy 479, Millerstown
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- Millerstown, settled before 1800, founded by Jacob Miller, Jr. He owned 500 acres along Nolin River and built grist mill. Christopher, a brother, was prisoner of Indians for 11 years; rescued by spies of Anthony Wayne, he then helped Wayne secure peace, 1794. Christopher and brother Nicholas both served in Ky. House of Rep. Town was at peak ca. 1900, with population of 150.
Revolutionary War Soldier
- Marker Number: 1592
- Location: 450 Lodge Road, Falls Of Rough
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- George Eskridge, born in Virginia in 1763, served in Revolutionary War, having enlisted in the Virginia Continental line at an early age. Eskridge came to Kentucky and settled in Grayson County, circa 1811. Built a log house at Falls of Rough River and established a ferry which connected a road known as Eskridge Ferry Road. He died in 1827.
Shaw's Station
- Marker Number: 1980
- Location: Leitchfield, Shaw's Station Road
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- Named for Benham (Bonum) Shaw, this pioneer settlement (today's Leitchfield) was located at the headwaters of Beaver Dam Creek. This station was a stop along the important trail which ran from settlements at Nashville, Tenn., northward to Louisville, Ky. Shaw was pioneer to Severns Valley, ca. 1779. A creek in present-day Elizabethtown also bears his name.
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- (Reverse) Beaver Dam Creek Baptist Church - Now known as First Baptist Church of Leitchfield, Beaver Dam Creek Baptist Church was constituted May 29, 1804; became member of Salem Assoc. Later joined Goshen Assoc. upon its formation in 1817. Pioneer Benham Shaw was deacon at Beaver Dam Creek Baptist Church. Presented by First Baptist Church and Grayson County Tourism Commission.
Washington's Land
- Marker Number: 212
- Location: West of Yeaman Church of Christ, KY Hwy 54
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- Filson's 1784 map of "Kentucke" showed "abundance of iron ore" here. General A. Spotswood visited area in 1797 and reported to George Washington, who purchased tract of 5,000 acres, Nov., 1798. His death, 1799, came before he could visit or develop the land.
Grayson County Books
- Downs, Percy Ray, Jr. and Barry W. Downs. The Decker family of Grayson County, Kentucky 1986, McDowell Publications, Utica, Kentucky, 929.273 D357[17]
- The Journal of Dr. James P. McClure, available at Grayson County Library[8]. (Partial Transcription Here)
Historical Society Publications
- The Grayson County Historical Society[18] has numerous publications that are shown below. Some of these also may be available at the Grayson County Library or at the Jack Thomas House[18][16]
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| Grayson County Historical Society, inside Jack Thomas House
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- The First Grayson County, Kentucky County Court Record Book, July 23, 1810 to April 28, 1814
- George Washington's Kentucky Land, by Curtis Deweese
- Historical Sketches and Family Histories of Grayson County, Kentucky
- Grayson County Cemetery Book, Volume I (2008 Revised Edition)
- Grayson County Cemetery Book, Volume II (2013 Revised Edition)
- Grayson County Cemetery Book, Volume III (2006 Revised Edition)
- 1903 Special Edition Grayson County Gazette
- 1926 Grayson County Map
- 1937 Grayson County Map
- Grayson County School Census 1899 - 1900, District 1 through 104.
- Patchwork - A History of Grayson County (DVD)
- My Kentucky Home - Grayson County (DVD)
Historical Monograph of 1908
Grayson County[19]
- (Revised 1907 by H. W. Stoy, County Attorney.)
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- Ohio and Hardin counties contributed territory to form Grayson in 1810. It was the fifty-fourth county organized in the State and was named for Colonel William Grayson, of Virginia.
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- Rough river on the north and Nolin river on the southeast, and Bear creek through the south-central part of the county (all tributaries of Green river) afford facilities for cheaply transporting the vast quantities of oak, poplar, ash and walnut timber which are annually shipped from the county in the form of saw logs while the Illinois Central railroad, running through the center of the county from northwest to southwest, yearly hauls from the county large quantities of staves, lumber and railroad ties.
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| Grayson County Courthouse in Leitchfield, Kentucky
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- The county has but a small quantity of coal and is undeveloped. There are some excellent clays in the county, but only one or two banks have been worked. The soil is generally light and the face of the county broken. Gas was struck at Leitchfield, but not in sufficient quantities for domestic or commercial uses.
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- Corn, wheat, oats, hay and tobacco are the principal crops. Tobacco has not been extensively grown for the last few years. Of the other crops very little is exported from the county. Commercial fertilizers are used extensively and with good results. Young orchards are being set and domestic canning for home use is general among householders. Truck and dairy farming are neglected.
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- A railroad from Leitchfield or Clarkson, through the southern part of the county to Bowling Green, in Warren county, has been under consideration for a few years, and it is hoped will be built in the near future. The Grayson Springs, four miles from Leitchfield, are celebrated for the medicinal properties of their waters. Their situation is picturesque and the scenery grand. Splendid hotel buildings have been provided, together with modern facilities for entertaining guests, providing for their pleasure, comfort and health.
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- Farm lands are generally cheap, both tor improved and unimproved. Along the streams are bottom lands as fertile as any in the State. Common labor, including board and lodging, is paid from $10 to $15 a month, while day laborers, boarding themselves, usually get a dollar a day. There are no vegetable or fruit canneries and one creamery and cheese factory in the county.
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- Leitchfield, the county seat and principal town, has a population of about 1,200. It was named in honor of Major David Leitch, who donated the site for the town. The town is well drained and healthful, and has a graded school. We have a splendid public school building with five recitation rooms and an auditorium.
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- The old court house was burned by the Confederates during the war, and the one erected in its place was burned in 1896, with nearly all the records of the county. A new and handsome modern structure succeeds the destroyed building. It is provided with fireproof clerk's offices.
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- The town is not provided with water works or a system of lighting, but a few of the citizens have provided themselves with a water supply by erecting a tank into which the watei is pumped by a windmill. It is doubtful if ther is a town in the State of its size that does a larger mercantile business than Leitchfield. In 1886 the first bank was established in the town and county Since then, two more have been organized at Leichfield, one at Caneyville. one at Clarkson, one at Falls of Rough and one at Big Clifty.
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- The town has one hotel besides boarding houses. There are two drug stores, two hardware and furniture stores, two clothing and hat stores, four general stores, two groceries, besides millinery stores, notion stores and lunch stands, it has a Masonic and Odd Fellows' Hall and excellent flouring mill. By a spetial act no liquor is sold in the town. The town is improving.
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- Few counties have more successful public schools. The.teachers are equal to those of any county of the State, and the methods are not surpassed by any. The enrollment compares favorably with other counties, and the results surpass the general average. Grayson county furnishes many teachers to other counties, and many business men to Louisville and other cities.
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- Leichfield has one of the largest department stores in the country, the Leitchfield Mercantile Co., the Leitchfield Clothing Co., which employs 75 or 100 hands the whole year, an ice plant that furnishes ice to Leitchfield and neighboring towns; a steam laundry and the BeU Telephone Co.(long distance) has an exchange here. The railroad debt of $200,000 has been paid and though seven iron bridges have been built in the last four years at a net cost of $15,000, the county owes only $5,000 or $6,000.
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- For the last six years the roads in Grayson county have been worked by taxation. A grader has been purchased for each magisterial district and the fiscal court is now contemplating purchasing a number of rock crushers. The good road spirit has taken quite a hold on the people and the next few years will see a vast improvement in its roads.
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- The most extensive and valuable deposits of asphalt in the State are to be found in Grayson county. There are at least three horizons of asphalt in the county. First, in the lower or Big Clifty sand. Second, In the second sand of the Leitchfield flagging, as shown on Beaver Dam creek and third, in the carboniferous sands at intervals over almost all the southern half of the county.
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- A new brick hall with offices underneath has been erected in Leitchfield, by the Masons and Odd Fellows, during the past summer.
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- There are three banks in town, the Leitchfield Deposit. The Grayson County National and Farmers and Merchants.
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- Since the railroad bonded debt was finally paid off, three years ago, the farming lands in many portions of the county have nearly doubled in value. Spirituous liquors are not sold by retail any place in the county.
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- The tax rate for county purposes is fifty cents on each $100 of taxable property. Pounds of tobacco raised last year, 831,470.
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- Grayson county is situated in the Fourth Congressional, Second Appellate, Ninth Judicial. Twelfth Senatorial and Twenty-seventh Legislative Districts.
Grayson County Records
Original County Documents
- The Grayson County Court Clerk maintains many original documents dating from Jun 1896 to the present, including:
- Marriage Records
- Land Sales and Leases
- Wills
- Power of Attorney Assignments
- Affidavits of Descent
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- Note: Grayson County Courthouse records have been destroyed on two separate occasions:
- 24 Dec 1864
- 16 Jun 1896 (destroying all records)
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- Note: Land Records may be searched online for a fee.
Birth Records
Cemetery Records
Census Records
Death Records
Marriages
Wills
Military Records
Politicians
Biographies
Bibles
History
Old Newspapers
Pensions
Black Vital Statistics
Obituaries
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- Mass Media:
- Local obituaries can usually be found in:
- Funeral Homes:
Other Web Site Resources
KY Statewide Online
Sources
- ↑ Map of Buzzard Ridge, Highest Peak in Grayson County
- ↑ Prehistoric Mammoth Cave
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 The Cedars at UK History
- ↑ Col. William Grayson at a Wikipedia
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Grayson County Courthouse at UK History
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Grayson Springs, Kentucky
- ↑ Grayson County Public Library Web Site
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Grayson County Public Library Link
- ↑ Nolin Lake
- ↑ Nolin River at Wikipedia
- ↑ Benjamin Lynn History
- ↑ Restoration of 1782 Church
- ↑ Rough River Lake at Wikipedia
- ↑ Rough River Dam State Resort Park at Wikipedia
- ↑ Rough River Dam State Resort Park at Ky Parks Site
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Jack Thomas House, Leitchfield, Kentucky
- ↑ The Decker family of Grayson County, Kentucky at Family Search
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Grayson County Historical Society Online Store
- ↑ Handbook of Kentucky, Kentucky Bureau of Agriculture, Labor and Statistics, Hubert Vreeland. Globe printing Company, 1908, pages 445-447.
- ↑ Perrin, W. H. Perrin, J. H. Battle & G. C. Kniffin. Kentucky: A History of the State", 1887.
- ↑ National Register of Historic Places
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