Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park | |
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Location | Laurel, Kentucky, United States |
Coordinates | 37°04′59″N 84°02′30″W / 37.08306°N 84.04167°W[1] |
Area | 896 acres (363 ha) |
Elevation | 1,152 ft (351 m)[1] |
Established | 1931 |
Named for | Levi Jackson and the Wilderness Road |
Governing body | Kentucky State Parks |
Website | Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park |
Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park is a former state park located just south of London, Kentucky in Laurel County. It is now a city park under the auspices of the city of London, KY. The park encompasses 896 acres (363 ha) and includes a section of the Wilderness Road that early settlers used to reach Kentucky. The park is named for Levi Jackson, an early Kentucky pioneer.[2] It serves as both a recreational and historic park.[3]
History
The historic Wilderness Road was the main route used by settlers for more than 50 years to reach Kentucky from
The park is crossed by portions of the Wilderness Road and Boone's Trace, another pioneer trail blazed by Daniel Boone. It is still open today to hiking and while the Wilderness Road has since been paved as part of Kentucky Route 229.[5]
Levi Jackson was one of the first settlers in Laurel County. He arrived in 1802 with his partner, John Freeman, who claimed a large tract of land along the Wilderness Road as payment for Freeman's services in the American Revolutionary War. Jackson built a large two-story house which he licensed as a tavern in 1803. He and John Freeman ran the Wilderness Road Tavern and Laurel River Post Office. The surrounding area became known as "Jackson's Farm" and remained in the Jackson family until 1931 when the land was donated to the state to honor the pioneers of Kentucky.[3]
The land on which Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park sits was donated to the state by his descendants in 1931. The park facilities were constructed during the Great Depression in 1935. The National Park Service spent $55,000, building cabins, foot-bridges, parking areas, an auditorium, and observation tower. Additionally, the Civilian Conservation Corps restored an old log cabin and built McHargue's Mill in 1939.[3]
Features
Mill
McHargue's Mill is a reproduction working
Museum
The Mountain Life Museum is a restored pioneer village that consists of several cabins and other pioneer era structures. Some of the cabins are arranged with tools and household items to demonstrate what a pioneer settlement looked like during the Wilderness Road era. Relics of the early settlers and the displaced Native Americans are also on display. Buildings on the grounds include a barn, stable,
Burial ground
The McNitt Company was one of many large groups of early settlers who used the Wilderness Road to cross the
Activities and amenities
The park is open for year-round recreation including picnicking, camping, hiking and bird-watching.[8]
- Camping: The park's wooded campground has 136 sites. Campers have access to utility hook-ups and a grocery store. There are three central services buildings featuring laundry and shower facilities as well as modern latrines. There is a miniature golf course near the campground entrance.[7] There is a large group camping area. The large group area includes an activity center.
- Trails: There are 8.5 miles (13.7 km) of hiking trails in the park. The trails follow the Wilderness Road and Boone's Trace.[7]
- A community pool is located within the park, as are basketball courts, horseshoes pits and volleyball facilities. Picnic tables are scattered throughout the park and there are four picnic shetlers available for large groups.[7]
References
- ^ a b "Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. September 20, 1979. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
- ISBN 0-8131-1772-0.
- ^ a b c d e "History". Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park. Kentucky State Parks. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c Kincaid, Robert (1992). The Wilderness Road. Kingsport, Tennessee: Arcata Graphics. pp. 100–103. ASIN B0006BNK0U.
- ^ a b c d Reigler, Susan (June 6, 2008). "Kentucky: Pioneer adventure at Levi Jackson Park". Louisville Courier-Journal. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
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value (help)[permanent dead link] - ^ a b "Defeated Camp Burial Ground". Signs of History. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park". Kentucky State Parks. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
- ^ "Things to Do". Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park. Kentucky State Parks. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
External links
- Levi Jackson Wilderness Road State Park Kentucky State Parks