Bear Creek (Red Bird River tributary) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bear Creek |
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| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Highest headwater of the three forks 37°09′05″N 83°41′14″W / 37.15141°N 83.68714°W |
| 2nd source | Confluence of the three forks 37°10′39″N 83°39′52″W / 37.17750°N 83.66449°W |
| River mouth | Red Bird River 6.25 miles (10.06 km) upstream 752 feet (229 m) 37°13′42″N 83°38′09″W / 37.22835°N 83.63583°W |
| Basin features | |
| post offices |
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Bear Creek is a small river, also called a creek, located in Clay County, Kentucky. It is a branch, or "tributary," that flows into the Red Bird River. Local stories say that Bear Creek got its name because a bear was shot there a long time ago.
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Exploring Bear Creek
Bear Creek is an important part of the local natural landscape. It flows into the Red Bird River about 6.25 miles (10.06 km) upstream from the Red Bird River's mouth. The spot where Bear Creek joins the Red Bird River is about 752 feet (229 m) above sea level.
Branches of Bear Creek
Bear Creek has several smaller branches, called tributaries, that flow into it. These branches join the main creek at different points along its path:
- A branch joins from the left side about 1 mile (1.6 km) upstream, at an altitude of 765 feet (233 m).
- Another left branch joins about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) upstream, at 780 feet (240 m).
- A third left branch joins about 2.25 miles (3.62 km) upstream, at 825 feet (251 m).
- A fourth left branch joins about 2.75 miles (4.43 km) upstream, at 860 feet (260 m).
- A fifth left branch joins about 3 miles (4.8 km) upstream, at 875 feet (267 m).
- Bowling Branch is a notable branch that joins about 3.75 miles (6.04 km) upstream, at 925 feet (282 m).
- Further upstream, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) from the mouth, three smaller forks (branches) come together. This meeting point is at an altitude of 950 feet (290 m).
Old Post Offices Near the Creek
For many years, there were local post offices along Bear Creek. These were important places where people could send and receive mail.
Barcreek Post Office
The Barcreek post office was first opened on March 7, 1900, by Elijah Herd. It was located about half a mile up Bear Creek from where it meets the Red Bird River. The name "Barcreek" likely came from "Bear Creek," but it might also have referred to a large sandbar in the area. This post office stayed open until March 1969.
In 1914, Green L. Langdon moved the Barcreek post office further up the creek. It was later moved back closer to its original spot in the 1920s. When it finally closed in 1969, it was about half a mile up the creek.
Spurlock Post Office
The Spurlock post office was established on October 2, 1928. It was named after the Spurlock family, who were descendants of William Spurlock. He was a settler from North Carolina who arrived in the Bear Creek area in 1835. This post office served the community until July 1988.
The Spurlock post office was located about 1 mile upstream from the mouth of Banks Branch, which is a tributary of the Red Bird River south of Bear Creek. It was set up to replace the Barcreek post office after Barcreek moved back to Bear Creek.
