Historical Sketch (First entry, p. 58)
subsequent changes were made between Laurel and Rockcastle counties in
1871, between Laurel and Vhitley counties in 1876, and between Laurel
and Clay counties in 1886 (Acts: 1871, vol. l, ch. 1565, p. 55; 1876, ch.
958, p. 696; 1885-86, ch. 827, p. 225). In 1890 and finally in 1904, the
last alterations were made in the lines between Laurel and Clay counties
(Acts: 1889-90, ch. 259, p. 467; ch. 462, p.978; 1904, ch. 99, p. 209).
At the present time Laurel County is bounded on the north by Rock-
castle and Jackson, on the east by Jackson and Clay, on the south by Knox
and Whitley, and on the west by Pulaski and Rockcastle counties.
The beautiful rhododendron or laurel, which grows in great profusion
on the banks of the Laurel River, presumably gave its name to the river
and to the county (Richard H. Collins, History of Kentucky, 2 vols.,
Louisville, Ky., 1924, vol. 2, p. 458.) The cohnty is situated in the
southeastern part of the state and in the southwestern part of the Eastern
Kentucky coal field, and covers an area of 286,080 acres. The shape of
the county resembles a huge Indian spearhead, about thirty miles long,
with the juncture of the Cumberland and Rockcastle rivers forming the
point of the spear. The lowest elevation, approximately 675 feet above
sea level, occurs here. Laurel County, lying on the eastern flank of the
Cincinnati Arch, is really a monocline tilted to the southeast. Many
anticlines and synclines, the largest of which is the Reckcastle River Up-
lift, flex the normal surface structure of the county. (Willard R. Jillson,
The Geology and Mineral Resources of Kentucky, 45 vols., Frankfort, Ky.,
1928, series_6T vol. 17, p. 192?—Kentucky: Resources, Attractions, Oppor-
tunities, Laurel County, Louisville, Ky., 1928.) ———
Since Laurel County was not created until 1825, the pioneer history
of the territory which it comprises is identified with the early history
of Rockcastle, Clay, Knox, and Whitley counties, from which Laurel County
was formed (Wha B. Allen, History of Kentucky, Louisville, Ky., 1872, p.
155). 0n October 25, 1805, parts Bf this territory, including portions of
the counties of Knox and Whitley, were ceded to the United States for the
benefit of Kentucky, by the Cherokee Indians under the treaty of Tellico.
Although Knox County had been created in 1799, six years before this treaty
tas made, incongruous as it may seem, the Indians still maintained their
claims upon certain parts of this territory from which Laurel ves later
formed. These claims, however, the Government acknowledged and settled
when the final treaties were made. (Charles I. Kerr, Editor, History of
Kentucky, 5 vols., The American Historical Society, Chicago and New York,
1922, vol. 1, p. 489.)
When Daniel Boone and a company of men were sent from North Carolina
into Kentucky to open a road through the wilderness, they passed through
vhat is new Laurel County, and signs of the old wagon trail known as
"P¤0ne‘s Trace" were still visible there a few years ago. Follovdnq this
trail, which later became famous ns the "Vilderness Road", the path of the
Indian warriors led through Cumberland Gap and on through Bell County over
the old Euffalo Trail to the present site of Hazle Patch in Laurel County.
(K. R. Thomas, Life Among the Hills and Fountains pf Kentucky, Louisville,