Gò0dNews for Travel Wandering Through Winchester, Kentucky by Nicky Reynolds
I
n the late 1700s, traveling took a lot longer and was
To walk in his footsteps, one need only traverse
much more treacherous than it is today, but our
the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail, one of Kentucky’s
ancestors would saddle up the horses, load up the
official Scenic Byways. The route, established by Boone
caravan, and traverse the mountains and valleys of
in 1775, begins at Fort Boonesborough and ends in
this great country in hopes of discovering the perfect
Athens near Boone’s Station, which he settled in 1779.
terrain for new towns and cities. One well-known
Don’t Miss
historical figure who developed a reputation for such
In the 1700s and 1800s, Scottish immigrants built
discoveries was Daniel Boone.
miles of stone fences which can be seen on many farms
Boone in the Bluegrass
and pastures across the area.
Like many families who relocated to the United States during his time, Daniel Boone’s father left England to escape religious persecution. He was a Quaker who settled in Pennsylvania and later moved to North Carolina. Daniel Boone is most well-known for his trek through the Cumberland Gap, which came to be called the Wilderness Road, though much of his lifetime work included land surveying for other men who were trying to find properties to which to move. In the late 1760s, Boone was doing just that when he took his first glimpse of the Bluegrass region of what is now known as Winchester, Kentucky. Today, “Boone’s
The Holly Rood—Clark Mansion was built in 1814
Overlook” is a popular destination for hikers,
by James Clark, the 13th governor of Kentucky. The
birdwatchers, and history buffs. The challenging 730-
Federal-style home is open for tours by appointment.
foot elevation to the top of Pilot Knob State Nature
For more information on Daniel Boone’s history or
Preserve provides an impeccable view of rolling ridges
the Winchester, Kentucky area, contact the Winchester-
and flat farmlands.
Clark County Tourism Commission at 800-298-9105 or
Fort Boonesborough State Park is another attraction
log on to visitwinchesterky.com.
worthy of a visit. Located on the Kentucky River, it is the site built in 1775 by Boone and his men. Today, stay at the campgrounds, and learn more through living history programs.
44 // November 2021
About The Author
visitors can view the reconstructed fort, explore trails, Nicky Reynolds is a freelance writer who lives in East Tennessee with her 2-year-old daughter and their beloved rescue, Molly. Her dreams are to explore Italy, move to Hawaii, and keep adding new stamps to her passport.
