History of Wayne County

Early Beginnings

All of history must have its beginning in what some call "the dawn of creation."  The known history of Monticello and Wayne County, Kentucky, however must begin with the Paleo-Indian people who walked the hills and valleys of South Central Kentucky some 9,000 to 12,000 years ago.  Human remains of our prehistoric ancestors have been found in the Hines Cave located in the Mill Springs area of the county.

Native Americans

The following centuries were characterized by the development of simple, yet complex, civilizations of people we call the American Indian.  These were the Cherokee, the Creek, the Catawba, the Chickasaw, the Iroquois, Wyandotte, and the Shawnee.  These were some of the people who arrived in Kentucky and walked the banks of the Little South Fork and the dozens of smaller bodies of water that dot the landscape of Monticello and Wayne County.

Fortunately for us, they were the first environmentalists possessed with an intense desire to preserve and maintain the land in a state of pristine beauty.  In fact, these are the people who considered this very land to be a sacred gift of "the gods" to be used and tended in a way that would ensure survival.

Out of all the native Americans who walked these hills, it appears that Chief Doublehead, the last of the great Cherokee chiefs, left more than footprints around the Monticello and Wayne County area.  He also left a great number of descendants who have his blood tracing through their veins.

European Explorers and Settlers

The European explorers followed the rivers and ridges into our area and were soon followed by the long hunters in search of fortune and fame.  They came by the thousands through the Cumberland Gap and followed old Indian trails that crossed the Cumberland River until they found their way to the "great, marshy meadow" and "found the great cave" that we know today as Meadow Creek and Hines Cave.  Michael Stoner, a friend and companion of Daniel Boone, would return and make Wayne County his home.

Shortly after 1775, others of the long hunters; Benjamin Price, Nathaniel Buckhannon, and Jerry Pearce would be living in what some historians believe to be the first permanent settlement in Wayne County.

The desire to break free of the tyrannical rule of Great Britain led to the organization of one of the greatest freedom fighter movements the world has ever known.  On July 4, 1776, men like John Hancock,Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson signed their names to a document declaring "that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; (and) that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown....."

After the Revolution

After a fierce fight that led to the defeat of the mighty British army and navy, as many as 15,000 of the brave soldiers of the Revolution settled in Kentucky.  At least forty-six of them settled in Wayne County.  The bodies of these courageous pioneers lie buried in the hallowed soil of Monticello and Wayne County and while they may be gone, their legacy of freedom lives on in the lives of the thousands of descendants they have left behind.

Soon after Kentucky became the fifteenth state in the union of states in 1792, the state legislature passed an act that led to the formation of Wayne County.  In 1800, the new county was created and the citizens accepted the challenge of making it into a proud part of the Commonwealth.  Thirteen acres were surveyed by Joshua Jones and in 1802, Monticello with its population of twenty-seven people became the county seat of Wayne.

These humble, yet noble, beginnings have served as the foundation stones upon which all our modern history rests.

Pioneer Determination and Faith

The proud determination of our pioneer fathers and the intense work ethic caused them to carve out of the wilderness a home for their families.  Their wisdom and intelligence helped to develop industry and a business community that thrives to this day.  Their love of country has sent many of them into battle to defend the principles of freedom and democracy.  A devotion to God caused them to establish churches that created an environment for the growth of character and integrity in the lives of our citizens.  Schools were built to nurture the quest for knowledge.

Present and Future of Monticello and Wayne County

The future of Monticello and Wayne County shines brightly on the horizon. The pioneer spirit is still present in the heart of those men and women who, almost daily, start a new business venture.  The patriotic spirit is proudly expressed in the presence of veteran's groups and an active National Guard made up of men who stand ready to respond to the call of a free people to go to the ends of the earth to protect and preserve our freedoms.  The community spirit is expressed in the scores of volunteer and civic organizations whose members provide a helping hand to those in need.  The religious spirit is to be witnessed in the number of houses of worship that open their doors to those who look for an expression of man's higher calling.

There is a progressive spirit that exists in Monticello and Wayne County that makes it attractive to vacationers, seniors looking for retirement homes, corporations seeking a work force for its business ventures, and for migrant workers looking for a place to start a new life.

Two hundred years of hard work and determination, commitment and vision, pride and glory, make Monticello and Wayne County one of the most desirable places for people of all ages, all backgrounds, and all dreams to make their home.

We are a proud people who treasure our heritage, enjoy our prosperity, and are building our future on our vision. 

--------Harlan Ogle