Big Bone, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Big Bone is an unincorporated community
in southern Boone County
, Kentucky
, United States
. It is bounded on the west by the Ohio River
, and Rabbit Hash, on the south by Big Bone Creek, which empties into the river at Big Bone Landing. The northern extent is along Hathaway Road, and the eastern portion extends not further than U.S. 42
, and is approached from that direction by Beaver Road (Route 338
) coming from either Richwood or Walton
. Geographical features of interest include the now disappeared Big Bone Island and the Palisades of Big Bone Creek.
s built in the 1830s (until the white oak
timber gave out). The largest town, now extinct, was Hamilton
, named after an early magistrate, Joel Hamilton; family descendants still live in the area. Hamilton, on the river, was originally known as Landing, and was located at the mouth of Little Gunpowder Creek, now generally known as Landing Creek. The nearby village of Normansville was never incorporated, and was just a mile or so from Hamilton. There were several businesses there in the 1880s and following.
There were several schools in the area, the earliest before 1843. The earliest church was the Mud Lick Baptist Church, established about 1805, but it went out of existence after 1845. The Big Bone Baptist Church was established in 1843. The house of worship was built on land donated by Gen. John Wallace and Thomas Huey. Until then most of the inhabitants of the area attended Middle Creek Baptist Church (now called Belleview
in Belleview Bottoms, Kentucky). The only other church in the immediate area, the Big Bone Methodist Church
, was established in 1888. The Methodist building, the upstairs of which was owned by the Masonic lodge, is still standing, and the land is now owned by the Park; the building is presently undergoing repairs. There are a number of cemeteries in the area, the largest being at the Baptist Church. The oldest graves in this cemetery are from the 1840s.
There have been excavations of several of the prehistoric sites in the area, as well as at historic sites. A number of the farms in the area were tended by slave
s before the American Civil War
, though the density was probably not as high as in some other areas of the county because of the nature of the terrain. Probably the most famous visitor at that time was Gen. John Hunt Morgan
, who passed by the Lick on a cold snowy day, with Capt. Hines. They were escaping from prison after being captured in Union territory. The hamlet of Big Bone gained some status in the early 1900s, and a "traction road" (railway) was proposed several times, but never materialized. The park itself became a reality due primarily to the efforts of John Uri Lloyd
(1849–1936), a notable researcher and writer from the county who founded and served as the first president of the "Big Bone Lick Historical Association."
frequented by animals, who need salt
in their diets. The fossil
deposits were the most notable feature in the entire geographical region. Even the first maps
noted it as "the place the big bones are found."
. The salt lick
, or lick, as it is more generally known locally, was long known to the original inhabitants of the area. It was discovered by people of European descent about 1735, the first recorded instance being one Robert Smith, an Indian trader. Other notable visitors were Daniel Boone
, Lewis and Clark, William Henry Harrison
, Christopher Columbus Graham, Mary Draper Ingles
, Constantine S. Rafinesque, and many others.
at mile 516.8 below Pittsburgh
. The mouth is at the division of Boone and Gallatin Counties, Kentucky, near the site of Big Bone Island. It is navigable for several miles, and flows through Big Bone Lick State Park
.
near the mouth of Big Bone Creek at Big Bone, Kentucky. It is just south of the Boone County, Kentucky
line in Gallatin County, Kentucky
. It plays a part in local lore and history of the area, and many tales are told about it. Unfortunately, the island has disappeared due mostly to the raising of the river by the Markland Dam, but also due to large slabs of floating ice which destroyed much of the vegetation and carried away most of the soil. It seems to have disappeared entirely in the 1970s. Some people say the island was kidnapped but will turn up again some day — probably when the dam breaks.
Unincorporated area
In law, an unincorporated area is a region of land that is not a part of any municipality.To "incorporate" in this context means to form a municipal corporation, a city, town, or village with its own government. An unincorporated community is usually not subject to or taxed by a municipal government...
in southern Boone County
Boone County, Kentucky
Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1798. The population was 118,811 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Burlington. The county is named for frontiersman Daniel Boone...
, Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It is bounded on the west by the Ohio River
Ohio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
, and Rabbit Hash, on the south by Big Bone Creek, which empties into the river at Big Bone Landing. The northern extent is along Hathaway Road, and the eastern portion extends not further than U.S. 42
U.S. Route 42
U.S. Route 42 is an east–west United States highway that runs northeast-southwest for 355 miles from Cleveland, Ohio to Louisville, Kentucky. The route has several names including Pearl Road from Cleveland to Medina in Northeast Ohio, the Cincinnati and Lebanon Pike in southwestern Ohio and...
, and is approached from that direction by Beaver Road (Route 338
Kentucky Route 338
Kentucky Route 338 begins at Kentucky Route 20 in Northern Boone County goes though Burlington, Kentucky where it intersects with Kentucky Route 18 which it will intersect again in Rabbit Hash it then goes to a small town called Rabbit Hash, Kentucky where it intersects with Kentucky Route 536...
) coming from either Richwood or Walton
Walton, Kentucky
Walton is a city in Boone and Kenton Counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 3,635 in the 2010 Census.-Tourism:Nearby Florence offers thoroughbred racing at Turfway Park....
. Geographical features of interest include the now disappeared Big Bone Island and the Palisades of Big Bone Creek.
History
The area is rich in history, and was the site of a "Watering Place", a hotel that catered to the well-to-do in the early part of the nineteenth century. There have been at least three hotels associated with the springs. The area has traditionally been primarily agricultural. Early transportation was by river. There were a few steamboatSteamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
s built in the 1830s (until the white oak
White oak
Quercus alba, the white oak, is one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of eastern North America. It is a long-lived oak of the Fagaceae family, native to eastern North America and found from southern Quebec west to eastern Minnesota and south to northern Florida and eastern Texas. Specimens have been...
timber gave out). The largest town, now extinct, was Hamilton
Hamilton, Kentucky
Hamilton is an unincorporated town in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. It is situated at Latitude 38.88333, Longitude -84.78167, in the southern part of the county on the Ohio River; it is about a mile north of the mouth of Big Bone Creek. It was established in 1835, being incorporated by...
, named after an early magistrate, Joel Hamilton; family descendants still live in the area. Hamilton, on the river, was originally known as Landing, and was located at the mouth of Little Gunpowder Creek, now generally known as Landing Creek. The nearby village of Normansville was never incorporated, and was just a mile or so from Hamilton. There were several businesses there in the 1880s and following.
There were several schools in the area, the earliest before 1843. The earliest church was the Mud Lick Baptist Church, established about 1805, but it went out of existence after 1845. The Big Bone Baptist Church was established in 1843. The house of worship was built on land donated by Gen. John Wallace and Thomas Huey. Until then most of the inhabitants of the area attended Middle Creek Baptist Church (now called Belleview
Belleview, Kentucky
Belleview, Kentucky is a community in Boone County, Kentucky.It is the location of six places listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places:*Belleview Baptist Church*Belleview Post Office*Clore House*Jonas Clore House*Flick House...
in Belleview Bottoms, Kentucky). The only other church in the immediate area, the Big Bone Methodist Church
Big Bone Methodist Church
Big Bone Methodist Church is a historic church in Union, Kentucky.The Big Bone church congregation was organized in 1887. The name derives from prehistoric animal remains discovered in the 18th century in what is now Big Bone Lick State Park...
, was established in 1888. The Methodist building, the upstairs of which was owned by the Masonic lodge, is still standing, and the land is now owned by the Park; the building is presently undergoing repairs. There are a number of cemeteries in the area, the largest being at the Baptist Church. The oldest graves in this cemetery are from the 1840s.
There have been excavations of several of the prehistoric sites in the area, as well as at historic sites. A number of the farms in the area were tended by slave
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
s before the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, though the density was probably not as high as in some other areas of the county because of the nature of the terrain. Probably the most famous visitor at that time was Gen. John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan
John Hunt Morgan was a Confederate general and cavalry officer in the American Civil War.Morgan is best known for Morgan's Raid when, in 1863, he and his men rode over 1,000 miles covering a region from Tennessee, up through Kentucky, into Indiana and on to southern Ohio...
, who passed by the Lick on a cold snowy day, with Capt. Hines. They were escaping from prison after being captured in Union territory. The hamlet of Big Bone gained some status in the early 1900s, and a "traction road" (railway) was proposed several times, but never materialized. The park itself became a reality due primarily to the efforts of John Uri Lloyd
John Uri Lloyd
John Uri Lloyd was an American pharmacist influential to the development of pharmacognosy, ethnobotany, economic botany, and herbalism.He also wrote novels set in northern Kentucky...
(1849–1936), a notable researcher and writer from the county who founded and served as the first president of the "Big Bone Lick Historical Association."
Etymology
The name of the area has often elicited comment. The area was named after the extraordinarily large bones, including mammoths and mastodons, found in the swamps around the salt lickSalt lick
A mineral lick is a natural mineral deposit where animals in nutrient-poor ecosystems can obtain essential mineral nutrients...
frequented by animals, who need salt
Salt
In chemistry, salts are ionic compounds that result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. They are composed of cations and anions so that the product is electrically neutral...
in their diets. The fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
deposits were the most notable feature in the entire geographical region. Even the first maps
MAPS
Maps is the plural of map, a visual representation of an area.As an acronym, MAPS may refer to:* Mail Abuse Prevention System, an organisation that provides anti-spam support...
noted it as "the place the big bones are found."
Big Bone Lick
The most famous landmark in the immediate area of Big Bone is Big Bone Lick, now the site of Big Bone Lick State ParkBig Bone Lick State Park
Big Bone Lick State Park is located at Big Bone in Boone County, Kentucky. It is located on Beaver Road and between the communities of Beaverlick and Rabbit Hash. The name of the park comes from the Pleistocene megafauna fossils found there. The mammoths and other creatures are believed to have...
. The salt lick
Salt lick
A mineral lick is a natural mineral deposit where animals in nutrient-poor ecosystems can obtain essential mineral nutrients...
, or lick, as it is more generally known locally, was long known to the original inhabitants of the area. It was discovered by people of European descent about 1735, the first recorded instance being one Robert Smith, an Indian trader. Other notable visitors were Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone
Daniel Boone was an American pioneer, explorer, and frontiersman whose frontier exploits mad']'e him one of the first folk heroes of the United States. Boone is most famous for his exploration and settlement of what is now the Commonwealth of Kentucky, which was then beyond the western borders of...
, Lewis and Clark, William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison
William Henry Harrison was the ninth President of the United States , an American military officer and politician, and the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when elected, the oldest president elected until Ronald Reagan in 1980, and last President to be born before the...
, Christopher Columbus Graham, Mary Draper Ingles
Mary Draper Ingles
Mary Draper Ingles was an American pioneer and early settler of western Virginia. She was abducted by Indians and later escaped, making a harrowing trek over hundreds of miles of rough terrain to return home.-Biography:...
, Constantine S. Rafinesque, and many others.
Big Bone Creek
Big Bone Creek enters the Ohio RiverOhio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
at mile 516.8 below Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
. The mouth is at the division of Boone and Gallatin Counties, Kentucky, near the site of Big Bone Island. It is navigable for several miles, and flows through Big Bone Lick State Park
Big Bone Lick State Park
Big Bone Lick State Park is located at Big Bone in Boone County, Kentucky. It is located on Beaver Road and between the communities of Beaverlick and Rabbit Hash. The name of the park comes from the Pleistocene megafauna fossils found there. The mammoths and other creatures are believed to have...
.
Big Bone Island
Big Bone Island is a small island in the Ohio RiverOhio River
The Ohio River is the largest tributary, by volume, of the Mississippi River. At the confluence, the Ohio is even bigger than the Mississippi and, thus, is hydrologically the main stream of the whole river system, including the Allegheny River further upstream...
near the mouth of Big Bone Creek at Big Bone, Kentucky. It is just south of the Boone County, Kentucky
Boone County, Kentucky
Boone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1798. The population was 118,811 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Burlington. The county is named for frontiersman Daniel Boone...
line in Gallatin County, Kentucky
Gallatin County, Kentucky
Gallatin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky along the Ohio River, which at its formation was the main transportation route. It was formed in 1799. As of 2000, the population was 7,870. Its county seat is Warsaw...
. It plays a part in local lore and history of the area, and many tales are told about it. Unfortunately, the island has disappeared due mostly to the raising of the river by the Markland Dam, but also due to large slabs of floating ice which destroyed much of the vegetation and carried away most of the soil. It seems to have disappeared entirely in the 1970s. Some people say the island was kidnapped but will turn up again some day — probably when the dam breaks.