Estill County Community Histories ----------------------------------------------------------------- Contributed to the Estill Co., KY Archives by: Jen Bawden Originally written by Bobby Rose in the 1970s Used here with their permission Date: 05/16/1999 ----------------------------------------------------------------- COBHILL Cobhill is located about 9 miles south of Irvine, off to the right, on highway #52, at the foot of the mountain on the way to Beattyville, Lee County, Kentucky. Cobhill is reached by going about two miles up a rather steep hill after turning right off Highway #52. Cobhill was named for Samuel and Henry Cobb, two of the sons of Jesse Cobb, Sr. and his wife, Edith Oldham Cobb. Jesse, Sr. and his family had come with several other families, namely the Oldhams, the Rices, and the Peppers in the western migration about the year 1800 from Caswell County and other North Carolina counties. Henry Cobb, oldest son of Jesse and Edith Cobb was born in present day Estill County on July 11, 1802, and died in Madison County, Kentucky, August 21, 1857. Jesse Cobb, Sr., was born February 27, 1769, in Caswell County, North Carolina, and died in Estill County, Kentucky, Jun 1, 1836. His wife, Edith, was the daughter of Richard Oldham, a Revolutionary War soldier who settled in Madison County, Kentucky. Samuel and Henry Cobb were large landowners of the Cobhill section of the County, and it is thought that Henry moved from Cobhill rather early in life, but that Samuel continued to live there for many years. Apparently, they secured large land grants and farmed the land and worked in logging. Cobhill at one time was thickly settled. Mining ore to be taken to the Fitchburg smelting furnace offered employment there as did the logging industry. When these two industries ceased to be active, many of the inhabitants moved from Cobhill to the Bluegrass area of the state and even to other states to find employment. Now, however, the children of previous inhabitants are moving back to Cobhill, because their parents had continued to own the land and thus they had a place to build new homes or to place mobile homes. The prefer to live at Cobhill, but commute daily to Winchester and Lexington to work in the industrial plants. Approximately 100 families now live at Cobhill. A post office was established at Cobhill March 20, 1898, with Achilles D. Howell as postmaster. Later postmasters were: Ellen Hall, John S. Watson, Albert W. Estes, George W. Hall, Allie Howell, Benjamin Hall, George W. Hall (who apparently served a second term). Mrs. Florence Rogers served from December 3, 1935, to retirement January 31, 1960. Miss Lillie A. Patrick began serving February 5, 1960, and is continuing as postmaster at Cobhill to the present day. Her name was changed to Lillie A. Rogers by marriage December 21, 1962, to Olney Ray Rogers. The post office is located in a small grocery store owned by the Rogers. The mail is presently brought into Cobhill from the Pryse post office (Estill County) by Hazel Patrick and her husband, John, who serve as carriers to people who have mail boxes along the route. They leave the remainder of the mail with packages, etc. at the post office where stamps and money orders are sold. Among the families who have received mail at Cobhill are Clinton and John Patrick, Andrew and Dillard Patrick, Virgil Rogers, Orlon and Shelby Smith, Flynn Bach, Lonnie Dickerson, Hubert Johnson, Luther Pelfry, Herman Watson, Mrs. Sidney Warmouth, Gainus Rogers, Clyde Hall, Lloyd Hall, Everett Smith, Leman Stmaper, Claude Case, Opal Abney, Floyd Stamper, Roy Stamper, Thom Watson and Lenlie Abney. ****************************************** ESTILL SPRINGS The Estill Springs, half a mile from Irvine, have been celebrated as a watering place and have claim to historic interest that dates by the days of early exploration of Kentucky. The view from the top of Sweet Lick Knob, at the foot of which the white sulphur water gushed out as clear as crystal, is one of the grandest and most romantic known. A large spring house has covered the springs and offered a place of recreation for people interested in obtaining the white sulphur water, famous through the many years for it's health and coolness. Later a large hotel was built, probably in the 1830's, and the area became a well known resort which was visited many times by Henry Clay of Lexington, Major Curtis F. Burnham of Richmand and many other notable Kentuckians, as well as persons from other states. The first record of the Springs is said to have been written by a Frenchman who, with a party of Indians, marched from what is now the present city of Detroit to the location of Mobile, Alabama. This explorer mentioned it in his journal. The next record is said to have been made by the McAfee party which camped one night on a route of march from the fort at Harrodsburg to Virginia. It is said that Daniel Boon and his companions oftened stopped at the Springs during their explorations of this area of Kentucky. This Springs property is noted for the large oak and ask trees, many considered to be at least 300 years old, some of which are still standing. The original Springs tract remained the property of Green Clay of Madison County until his death. The property was then sold by Green Clay's two sons, S.B. and B.J. Clay to isaac Mize. The property has had several owners down through the years and is now in the possession of heirs of Mrs. David Andrew (Lena) Wallace. Mrs. Wallace purchased the Springs property after the hotel burned December 14, 1924, and constructed a colonial brick home where she lived until her death on November 20, 1956. During the later years in which the hotel and springs were used as a resort, the property was owned by Harvey Riddell, a lawyer, son of the iminent Judge Robert Riddell of Irvine and a brother of Judge Hugh Riddell, also of Irvine. Elliott Riddell, another son of Judge Robert Riddell and his wife, the former Laura Embry, were proprietors of the resort, highly popular under their care. It is said that people came from miles around to attend the parties and dances held in the large ballroom of the Estill Springs Hotel and was always patronized by very high class people. Many love matches were made here. Estill Springs was the scene of many important happenings. The famed "Old Infantry Volunteers" of the Eighth Regiment was organized there by Colonel Sidney M. Barnes, September 14, 1861, while Colonel Barnes owned the property. Many interesting references to early Civil War happenings at or near Estill Springs have been made. A Reunion of Morgan's (General John H. Morgan) Men was held at Estill Springs, August 20-22, 1924. Mr. J.B. White, who attended the reunion was the father of Mr. Lena Wallace. Mrs. Margaret White, sister of Mrs. Lena Wallace, presently resides in the original home. ****************************************** FITCHBURG Fitchburg furnace, a monument to Estill County's great iron producing era stands on a mountainside in the northeastern portion of Estill County. It is approximately 16 miles from Irvine and can be reached by taking highway #52 from Irvine to Ravenna, continuing on #62 from Ravenna up and down a large mountain on the way toward Bettyville. At the foot of the mountain, 2 rural highways come together immediately off highway #52. One highway #213 leads to Cobhill, the other highway #975 makes a sharp turn to the left leading to Fitchburg. The Aldersgate Youth Camp owned and operated by the Kentucky Conference of the Methodist Church is located near the furnace. Fitchburg furnace was completed in 1858. Built at the peak of the iron industry in Estill County, it was the last furnace to be built in the county. A town was chartered called Fitchburg after the two brothers, Frank Fitch, the general superintendent and Fred Fitch, the secretary and treasurer of the furnace operation. It was owned by the Red River Iron Manufacturing Company with a cash capital of $1,000,000. For several years, Fitchburg was a thriving little city with mills, shops, school and church, post office and with roads leading to other communities. More than 100 families lived at Fitchburn and employment was furnished to many men. One of the men who came to Estill County to work at Fitchburg was David Bergman of Louisville. He was employed as head bookkeeper for the business operation of the Furnace and met and married Lydia Moore, daughter of Harry and Mary Moore of Millers Creek, Estill County, September 27, 1870. They lived at Fitchburg for many years and their children were born there. David was born January 9, 1847, and died February 11, 1912. Lydia was born September 21, 1848, and died November 12, 1910. They were the parents of two children, Robert N. Bergman, who owned and operated a large hardware store on Main Street, Irvine, for many years. Mabel Bergman, their daughter, married Harry Milward of Lexington and they reside there. Robert Bergman married Miss Minnie West of Frankfort, and they lived in their home on Main Street, Irvine, until their deaths several years ago. Robert and Minnie Bergman had two children, Weston and Robert Bergman who have continued to live in Irvine to the present time. Furnace is now a ghost town with only the furnace itself left to tell the story of what has gone on before. There are no stores, nor churches, but several families have continued to reside in the vicinity. Some of these families are the Dellie Shuler, Shirley Rogers, and Bauford Powell families. The men of the families who have continued to live at Fitchburg commute daily to Winchester, Richmond and Lexington for employment. The Fitchburg post office was established September 9, 1870, with Thomas Edgar Parke as postmaster. Other postmasters were: C.R. Fitch, Maggie C. Graves, C. Tipton, J.M. Stewart, B.F. Chatman, James Arthur, and Elma D. Smyth. The post office was discontinued June 30, 1955, with people to get mail at Ravenna. ****************************************** HARGETT Hargett is located on Highway #89, about 7 miles east of Irvine. About 75 years ago, there was a general store run by Cleveland Sams (now at the intersection of Highways #89 and #82) and in it was the Post Office called Sam's Post Office. About 100 yards or more northwest of the store was the railroad stop called Harg (In honor of Harg Allen) to which they moved the post office and changed it's name to Harg. Later it was moved back to the original site at the crossroads. While the federal man was there setting up things, a little boy came in the store. When asked what his name was, he said, "Hargett Withers", so the federal man said "This post office will be named for you, Hargett." With some people this has been shortened to Harg (probably since that was originally the name of the station.) The first post office at Hargett was established September 23, 1915, with Edith Patrick as postmaster. Other postmasters were: Herbert B. McIntosh, Harry Witt, Hickman Patrick, and Mrs. Mary T. Patrick who served until the post office was discontinued effective September 30, 1943. Hargett residents were to get mail from Irvine. ****************************************** MILLERS CREEK Millers Creek is located about 3 miles south of Irvine on the east side of the Kentucky River. One of the early roads in the county to have been built was from Irvine to Millers Creek. The community of Millers Creek, along with the Creek itself, was named for a man named Miller who operated a grist mill within the vicinity. The Creek was long, being a "Big" and "Little" Millers Creek and played an important part in early industry of the southeast section of the County. In early days, logs were rolled down Cobhill to the Furnace Fork of Millers Creek, then into the Creek and thence into the Kentucky River to float down to the mills placed along the river. According to Colling History, in 1870, iron from Estill Furnace and the Fitchburg Furnace was taken by train way, 6 miles, to Scott's Landing on the Kentucky River near the mouth of Millers Creek. The L & N Railroad track to Eastern Kentucky runs parallel with the Kentucky River and the tract runs through the community of Millers Creek on the way to the mountains. In formaer days, there was a freight depot and the trains unloaded freight and picked up passengers there. One of the oldest churches in the county was Mt. Tabor Christian of Millers Creek. The building is no longer standing. Approximately 45 years ago, when the building was in need of many repairs, it was abandoned. The congregation then erected a new building on highway #52 going to Beattyville near the present home of the Pendergrass family. They named their new church Mt. Sinai. Before consolidation of Estill County Schools, the children of Millers Creek attended a one room school. The school building had two stories and the Bib Masonic Lodge used the upper room for meetings. The Bibb Lodge received it's charter October 21, 1859, and was named in honor of P.G.M. George M. Bibb. This lodge was active until it consolidated with Irvine Lodge No. 137, May 23, 1947. Members of this lodge who have been honored with Life Memberships are Garrett D. Tipton, Claude B. Moberly, Nelson McIntosh, Oscar Samples, William Samples, Achillis Kelly, and E.B. Scrivner. A red brick house, on eof the first brick houses built in the county is at Millers Creek. It is in good repair and is owned and lived in by the Gilbert McIntosh family. An early post office was established at the mouth of Millers Creek on August 7, 1839 with Benjamin F. Orlan as postmaster. Edward Stocton served as second postmaster. This post office was discontinued July 28, 1842. The Millers Creek post office was established November 11, 1850, with John M. Lyle as postmaster. Other postmasters were: Thomas J. Harris, Bowles H. Sale, Schilles Kelly, S.B. Neal, Elisha L. Cockrell, Achilles D. Howell, George W. Cole, Thomas H. West, George W. Congleton, Sid Chatman, James A. West, Harry W. Neal, Walter Rosco Samples and Mrs. Flora R. Barnes who served until her retirement January 31, 1968. The post office was closed on this date with the people of Millers Creek to get mail at Ravenna. Some families other than those previously named who received mail at Millers Creek post office are the Tipton, Broaddus, Scrivner and Tuggle Families. ****************************************** PALMER Palmer is located about 12 miles north-east of Irvine near Red River not far from the Clark County line. It can be reached by traveling Highway #89. This community is only a short distance from the Cressy and Parvin communities and has been referred to as "down in the forks". It was named for the family of James and Farinda Combs Palmer who came to Estill County from Leerose, Owsley County, Kentucky, in the early 1900's. Palmer has been a farming community, but the residents who have wanted other employment could go into Winchester, Clark County, because Palmer is almost as near to that city as to Irvine. The Palmer post office was established December 2, 1914, with William H. Rice as postmaster. Other postmasters were: Wilbert Moores, Jesse C. Thomas and Mrs. Eva L. Thomas, who served from February 4, 1957, to retirement on November 3, 1967, and at which time the post office was discontinued with the residents of Palmer to receive mail from Irvine. Among the people who received mail at Palmer were: The Henry Harris family, the Fielder, Rice, Frost, Sparks, Vaughn, Moore, and Palmer families. Mr. Austin Palmer, first postmaster at Parvin was a son of James and Farinda Combs Palmer. Another son, Mr. Simon P. ("Uncle Pete") Palmer moved with his family from Palmer to Irvine in the early 1920's. ****************************************** PRYSE Pryse, located on the L & N Railroad about 8 miles south-east of Irvine was named for pioneer David Pryse who had first come to Lee County, Kentucky, with brothers Elias and Thomas Pryse. They came to the United States as immigrants from Wales. David later moved to Estill County where he purchased several hundred acres of Kentucky River bottom land and built a large brick house, one of the first in the county. David married Lucy Ann Brandenburg of Heidelburg, Lee County, Kentucky. This locality became known as Texola when the Texas Company Oil Refinery was built and was in full operation between approximately 1920 - 1945. The refinery offered employment for many of the local residents. Some of the families who live at Pryse-Texola were the Durbins, Kellys, Hamiltons, Fikes, Dixons, Arthurs, Stewarts, Metcalfs, Pendergrasses, Pryses, Wallaces. The post office was established with Russell Barnes as postmaster June 3, 1924. Other postmasters were Mrs. Lillian Arthur, Mrs. Edna Bach, Mrs. Lucille Arthur, and Mrs. Lelia T. Taylor. Even though the community was later known as Texola, the Federal post office retained the name of Pryse for the post office. ****************************************** RAVENNA Ravenna, located on highway #52 South, approximately one mile from Irvine, is the second largest city in the county. The land on which the city of Ravenna and the Louisville and Nashville railroad yards are now located had belonged to the Cockrell and Park pioneer Estill County families. At the time it was purchased by the L&edeeN Railroad, it was owned by Misses Amanda and Bessie Cockrell and Mr. Frank M. and Lou Park. The Ravenna Realty Company, incorporated December 27, 1915, had been formed for the disposition of the property acquired by the Company, which was sold in lots to the employees of the Railroad for use in building homes and businesses. Mr. John D. Sawyer was president f the compnay and his wife, Mrs. Kate Hudson Sawyer, was secretary. Mr. Robert R. Friend, an Irvine attorney, handled legal details for the Company. It is said that Mrs. Sawyer is credited with the naming of the Ravenna Realty Company and for naming the city which is believed to have been named for the Italian city of Ravenna, Italy. The Ravenna Realty Company discontinued business about 1930 after their land holdings were sold. At the January, 1921, term of Estill Circuit Court, Ravenna was incorporated as a sixth class city. G. Hackworth was the first police judge. Trustees were W.C. Robbins, W.J. McLemore, W.S. Yaden, C.H. Smith, A.S. Marshall, and Dudley Webb. Mae Richardson was assessor and Dr. E.S. Caywood was selected as clerk. In November, 1921, S.A. Hume, Roy Agee, William Ballard, C.H. Smith, J.C. Powell and Dr. Caywood, Clerk, was elected to serve two years. The first census was taken on December 12, 1923, and Ravenna was listed with names of 1,245 citizens. The post office for Ravenna was established May 12, 1916, with Mrs. Hallie Tudor Vaughn as postmaster. Other postmasters were Rosa Stanley, Kate M. Redmond, Lewis C. Wilson, Jr., James M. Wolfinbarger, Mrs. Hazel Snowden, Miss Maggie Wolfinbarger, and Mrs. Beulah Amerine Foley. Mrs. Foley served from May 15, 1935 to retirement October 13, 1972. Ravenna post office now serves as a branch post office of Irvine. ****************************************** RICE STATION Rice Station is located about 5 miles west of Irvine on Highway #52 toward Richmond. It was named for Mr. Charlie Rice who was a large land owner and it is thought that he gave the right of way to the L & N Railroad Company for track and the railroad station built there. Mr. Rice's large frame house near the station location is still standing, in good repair and is owned by Mr. James Leonard Rice of Lexington. Neither the railroad track nor the station at Rice Station are in existence at the present time. Mr. Charlie Rice was married twice, his first wife was Eliza Jane Cox, and his second, Nannie Kate Kirby. Mr. Charlie Rice and his family had lived on Red Lick, Estill County, possibly before moving to the Rice Station area. His father was John Rice and mother Rannie Rucker Rice. It is not known where the John Rice family lived, but early Rice ancestors came from Virginia to Kentucky. In the late 1800's and early 1900's, Rice Station was a very thriving community, and the L&ty.mN passenger trains going from west to east and east to west each day stopped at Rice Station and opened up travel and business to the area. Mr. William L. Rice, nephew of Mr. Charlie Rice and whos parents were Thomas James Rice and Elizabeth Richardson Rice moved with his wife Louisa Park Wagers Rice from Wagersville (Estill County) to Rice Station in the late 1800's. Mr. William L. Rice and Louisa Wagers Rice were parents of 10 children. Some of the children and descendants presently live at Rice Station and Irvine. Mr. William L. Rice died in July, 1910. His wife lived until September 30, 1943. Upon moving from Wagersville to Rice Station, Mr. William L. Rice and a live long friend, Jonah Wagers, also of Wagersville and for whom Wagersville was named, became joint owners and operators of a large general store near the Rice Station railroad station. Many stacks of tan bark and railroad ties, among other freight, were loaded daily on trains by Wagers and Rice. It is said that the Wagers and Rice Store carried all kinds of merchandise and hardware "from coffin screws (coffins were homemade at the time) to whatever was asked fore". The store also carried men's shoes and clothing and women's shoes Also a large supply of yard goods including silks and satins was also carried. The store was a two story structure and Mrs. Irvine Scrivner drove by horse and buggy from her Madison County home each day and had a millinery shop on the second floor. She is said to have been quite skillful at making and trimming hats. Wagers and Rice bought for sale turkeys from farmers in the neighborhood who would dive the large flocks of turkeys from their respective farms to the store. Mrs. and Mrs. W.L. Rice and friends, Mr. and Mrs. W.S. Witt owned a large frame houses (Note from Jen...No...I can't make sense of this) also located near the railroad station. Mrs. Rice prepared in her home meals for drummers who came to the store. They paid $.25 per meal. Mrs. Rice and Mrs. Witt, the former Eliza Wilcox, opened their homes to friends and relatives who found it necessary to stop over between trains. While the drummers who had come by train from neighboring cities to Rice Station were in the area, they would rent a team and wagon from Wagers and Rice and one of the sons of Mr. Rice would take the drummers with their ware samples to other such general stores in the county. Thus Rice Station was used as a focal point of economic and business activity in the west central part of the county. When Mr. Jonah Wagers sold his interest in the store to Mr. Rice, the store then came to be known as the W.L. Rice and Son's Store. The sons involved where Charlie and Earl Rice. Among other early families living in the Rice Station community were Jim Tom Turpin, John E. Riddell, John R. Cox, Simp Wagers, W.S. Witt, Jim Lanter, and Warren McGowan families. The Rice Station community has long been served by a Christian Church located on Highway #52. The frame building was torn down about 1927 and replaced by a red brick structure. The congregation has remained constant through the years. The Rice Station post office for many years was loged in the general stores owned by various members of the Rice family. The post office was established August 5, 1892, with Mr. John M. Kerby as postmaster. Other postmasters were: Solomon R. Wilder, James W. Witt, Jr., William L. Rice (3-13-1906), William S. Witt (1/30/1911), Louisa P. Rice (1/16/1913), Columbus Edwards, and Miss Nettie Rice who assumed charge December 30, 1933, and served until her retirement approximately 1975. ****************************************** SPOUT SPRINGS Spout Springs is located on Highway #82, about 9 miles south-east of Irvine. There were several springs involved in the title "Spout Springs Community", but when state road #82 was built, it left the largest and most famous one on the property of Sam and Laura Tuttle almost exactly half way between the two county seats, Irvine and Stanton, Powell County. This spring comes out of a hill on which there is no residence, other buildings, or livestock. It is a large stream of never failing, very cold limestone water. It has never is history (white man or Indian) been known to go dry. It is famous over numbers of states as the most delicious water ever tasted. People come there (by permission of the Tuttles) from far and wide and not only to get a drink, but haul away barrels and barrels of water. First there was a wooden tank to catch the overflow which came out of the hill in split hollowed out cedar logs and in the "horse days" everyone stopped there to water horses. A concreet overflow trough was later built and is still in use. The property was formerly owned by the McKinney family. There is a story, but no one knows the details, that the first Estill County death in the Civil War was at this spring where some soldiers had stopped to drink. The opposing army fired at them from a hill across the road. One man dropped at the spring and is buried in the little neighboring church yard of Jackson's Chapel. He is believed to have been a Southern soldier. The Spout Springs Post Office was established August 5, 1892, with John M. Elkin as postmaster. Other postmasters were: Washington G. Patrick, Ulysses G. Elkin, James H. Dawson, Richard H. Curtis, J.W. Barnett, Asa Barnett, Henry Winburn, George G. Ware, Franklin Morginson, Thomas S. McKinney, William L. Byrd and Russell S. Christopher served until the office was discontinued November 30, 1937. The residents were to get mail from Irvine. ****************************************** STATION CAMP by Bobby Rose Used with author's permission Historically speaking, Station Camp is one of the oldest and best known communities in Estill County. It is located approximately 6 1/2 miles south-west of Irvine on Sation Camp Creek. Station Camp Creek has been listed in Collins' History of Kentucky among "Stations and Early Settlements In Kentucky." Collins' History goes on to record that "An Indian camping ground on the banks of Station Camp Creek near the mouth of Red Lick Creek, in the early settlement of the state gave name to the creek. It is an understood fact that the Indians procured their supply of lead in this vicinity". Many Indian artifacts have been found at Station Camp. According to legend, Daniel Boone used this area as a station in 1769 when he and several companions explored "the beautiful levels of Kentucky". Station Camp Creek is also one of the principal tributaries of the Kentucky River, consequently the river and creek bottom land of the area is rich and productive. The community was named for the Creek upon which it is located. The Station Camp Christian Church is one of the oldest churches in the county, having been organized in 1840. The original building has been kept in excellent condition and regular services have been maintained since the church was organized. The large congregation of olden days has dwindled with the passing of time and with the advent of the automobile which has carried former members into other churches. Present church membership, with Bobby Premberton as paster, is approximately 25. Station Camp was also the home locality of Captain John Wilson of the 8th Kentucky Infantry, Union Forces, who with five other Estill County soldiers, planted the United States Flag at the peak of Lookout Mountain on November 25, 1863, during the Civil War. Captain Wilson died in May, 1896, and is buried near his home in the Wilson Family graveyard. The family of Mr. David Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Oakley French, and Miss Senora Newton presently own and live in the home owned by Captain Wilson. The Station Camp post office was first established March 27, 1828, with James Scrivner as postmaster. The post office was discontinued September 8, 1843. The office was re-established November 19, 1878, with John Wilson as postmaster. Later postmasters were: Abram Kelley, John W. wilson, Thomas Henderson, Luther Scott, Allen Wilson, Turner Kelley, Sue M. Scrivner, Mollie A. Flynn, Everett E. Newton, David N. Newton, and Miss Senora D. Newton who assumed charge after the death of her father, David, on May 1, 1950. She served until the post office was discontinued April 18, 1969. Among the families who received mail at the Station Camp Post Office were: John Scrivner, Dr. James Scrivner, Benjamin Warford, Anderson Wagers, Sidney Rice, Allen Garrett, W.A. Scrivner, James Rice, Arch Wagers, S.B. Gumm, David Newton and Ambrose Newton. Mail Route #3, Irvine now serves Station Camp community. ****************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm