Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park |
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An ancient Bison trail through one of the Blue Licks cedar glades
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| Type | Kentucky State Park |
| Area | 148 acres (60 ha) |
| Elevation | 640 feet (200 m) |
| Created | 1927 |
| Operated by | Kentucky Department of Parks and the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission |
| Open | Year-round |
Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is a special park in Kentucky. It's located near Mount Olivet, Kentucky in Robertson and Nicholas counties. This park covers about 148 acres (60 hectares). It has a monument that remembers the Battle of Blue Licks. This important battle happened on August 19, 1782. Many people consider it the very last battle of the American Revolutionary War.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Animals and Salt Licks
Long ago, Blue Licks was a popular spot for animals. They came to lick the salt deposits that flowed from the springs. These natural salt springs were like a giant salt block for animals. Reverend James Smith wrote about this in his diary from 1795 to 1797.
The Battle of Blue Licks
In 1782, a British leader named Captain William Caldwell led a group of Native American warriors. They attacked a small Kentucky settlement called Bryan's Station. The settlers fought back bravely. After two days, Caldwell's group started to retreat towards the Ohio River.
The pioneers, including the famous Daniel Boone, wanted to wait for more fighters. But Major Hugh McGary decided to chase the enemy right away. This led to a big fight at Blue Licks. In the battle, 60 of the 176 men who followed McGary were killed. Daniel Boone's son, Israel, was among them. Seven more men were captured. The survivors went back to Bryan's Station and Lexington. Later, more soldiers arrived and buried the fallen fighters.
From Health Resort to Historic Site
By the mid-1800s, the Blue Licks area became a health resort. People believed the mineral water from the saltwater springs could cure many sicknesses. These springs had been used for making salt since the 1770s.
However, by 1896, the last spring dried up. When people tried to find another spring, they found old artifacts. More digging in 1945 uncovered even more historical items. The battlefield was once on the National Register of Historic Places. This is a list of important historical places. But later, it was removed because the site had changed too much. Now, a team from Morehead State University is looking for more artifacts. If they find enough, the battlefield might be put back on the list!
Fun Things to Do
The park is right next to the Licking River. You can go canoeing or fishing there. There's also the Licking River Trail, which is a one-mile (1.6 km) path along the river. If you want to stay overnight, the park has a 32-room lodge. There's also a campground with 51 spots for tents or RVs.
Exploring Nature
The park has a special nature preserve that is 15 acres (6 hectares) big. It has a unique area called a cedar glade. Long ago, animals like bison, elk, and even woolly mammoths kept this area open. Today, much of the glade has become forest. But park staff use controlled fires and remove certain trees to keep parts of it open. These open areas are home to rare plants. One is the endangered Short's goldenrod, which is very rare in the United States. Another is the Great Plains Ladies'-tresses.
Step into History at the Museum
The Pioneer Museum is a main attraction at the park. It holds many interesting items. You can see a mastodon tooth found during an excavation. There are also items from the American Civil War. The museum teaches about the area's natural and cultural history. This includes ancient animals and fossils. You can also learn about local Native Americans and early pioneers from the 1700s. There's even a cool diorama that shows the Battle of Blue Licks. The museum first opened in 1931. It was updated in 2007 and was closed for more work in 2014.
Special Events
The Battle of Blue Licks celebration happens every year in mid-August. It includes a re-enactment of the famous battle. This means people dress up and act out the battle!
There was also the Short's Goldenrod Festival. This festival celebrated one of Kentucky's rarest plants. It was held every year in late September until 2008.
