McDaniels, Kentucky facts for kids
McDaniels is a small community in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, in the United States. It's not a city with its own government, but a place where people live and work. McDaniels is located along Kentucky Route 259, about 15.5 miles (25 km) south of Hardinsburg. The community is situated on Rough River Lake, which is fed by the North Fork Rough River. This river flows for about 29.5 miles (47.5 km) entirely within Breckinridge County. McDaniels has its own post office with the ZIP code 40152.
Contents
The Story of McDaniels
How McDaniels Got Its Name
The community of McDaniels was founded by Sam Spencer. It was named in honor of William McDaniels after he passed away. William McDaniels was one of the first pioneers to explore and settle in Breckinridge County. He arrived in 1779 with other early explorers like Captain William Hardin, John Jolly, Christopher Bush, and Sinclair Hardin.
Early Days and Challenges
When William McDaniels first arrived in Breckinridge County by flatboat, a sad event occurred. His wife faced a difficult challenge shortly after they docked their boat. Later, William McDaniels himself faced a dangerous situation and sadly passed away.
Community Life and Growth
A post office was first opened in McDaniels in 1860, but it closed quickly. Another post office was established in 1874 and has been serving the community since then.
In the early years after the American Civil War, McDaniels was a busy place. Rillus Dockery ran a blacksmith shop, where he made and repaired metal items, from the time of the Civil War until around 1900. Eli Storms and Frank Rhodes operated a mercantile business, which was like a general store, selling many different goods.
The Pleasant Hill Methodist Church was founded in 1853, with James Parson as one of its first board members. Dr. John H. Hart practiced medicine in McDaniels from 1876 until his death, providing important healthcare to the community.
Recent Events
In 2021, McDaniels was affected by the 2021 Western Kentucky tornado, a powerful storm that caused damage across Western Kentucky.
