Boonesborough, Kentucky facts for kids
Boonesborough is a small community in Madison County, Kentucky, United States. It was started in 1775 by a famous explorer named Daniel Boone. This made Boonesborough one of the very first English-speaking settlements west of the Appalachian Mountains.
You can find Boonesborough in the middle of Kentucky, right by the Kentucky River. Today, it's home to Fort Boonesborough State Park. This park has a rebuilt fort that looks like it did when Daniel Boone lived there. It also has the Kentucky River Museum.
Boonesborough is near the cities of Richmond and Berea. It is located where Kentucky Route 388 and Kentucky Route 627 meet.
The Story of Boonesborough
Boonesborough was first called Boone's Station. It was founded by Daniel Boone in 1775. He was working for a company called the Transylvania Company.
Building a New Home
Daniel Boone led a group of settlers, including some African Americans, through the mountains. They started from a place called Fort Watauga in what is now Elizabethton, Tennessee. They had to carve out a path called the Wilderness Road. This road went through a famous mountain pass called the Cumberland Gap.
After their long journey, they built Fort Boonesborough. Daniel Boone lived there from 1775 to 1779. At that time, this area was part of Virginia. Virginia officially recognized Boonesborough as a town in October 1779. It was one of the first English-speaking towns west of the Appalachian Mountains.
A Famous Battle
In 1778, Daniel Boone successfully led the settlers during a big fight known as the Siege of Boonesborough. This was an important event in the early history of Kentucky. After this, Boone moved to a new settlement started by his son, Israel. This new place was called Boone's New Station, near what is now Athens.
Why Boonesborough Changed
During the 1780s and 1790s, Boonesborough was a stop for pioneers. These pioneers were exploring deeper into Kentucky. However, not many people decided to stay and live in Boonesborough for a long time. Because of this, the town slowly became smaller. By 1877, Boonesborough had almost disappeared as a village.
