Proctor, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Proctor, Kentucky
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Location in Kentucky
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| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Lee |
| Elevation | 823 ft (251 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
41311
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| Area code(s) | 606 |
Proctor is a small, historic community in Lee County, Kentucky, in the United States. It's not a city with its own government, but a group of homes and businesses. Proctor is located right across the river from Beattyville, which is the main town and government center of Lee County.
This area is special because it's near where three parts of the Kentucky River come together: the North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork. That's why you might hear locals talk about the "Three Forks"!
Contents
History of Proctor
After the American Revolutionary War, many brave soldiers settled in the mountains of Kentucky. One of these soldiers was Archibald D. McGuire. He fought in a famous battle called the Battle of Tippecanoe. In 1799, he came to the "Three Forks" area from the Boonesborough, Kentucky Settlement. He made his home on what is now the James H. McIntosh farm in Proctor, where there was a big spring.
How Proctor Got Its Name
The town of Proctor was officially started in 1848. It was named after Joseph Proctor, who was a friend of the famous explorer Daniel Boone. Joseph Proctor often traveled through this area as a circuit preacher, which means he traveled around to different places to lead church services.
Early Businesses in Proctor
In the early days, Proctor was a busy place! People had many different types of businesses. There were hotels for travelers and grocery stores for food. People also worked in carpentry, making things out of wood. They made baskets, built boats, and even gathered salt. There were also coal mines and timber operations, where trees were cut down for wood. Flour mills helped turn grain into flour for baking.
Proctor's Role in Lee County
Proctor was first part of Estill County. But in 1870, when Lee County was created, Proctor became part of it. In fact, Proctor was the very first county seat for Lee County! A county seat is the main town where the county government is located. Proctor had its own post office from 1843 until 1918. The first court meeting for Lee County was held in Proctor on April 25, 1870, in a building called the Old Howerton House.
The Founding of Beattyville
Samuel and Patience Kelly Beatty owned land along the Kentucky River. They sold some of their land to help start a new town right across the river from Proctor. This new town was named "Beattyville" and was officially recognized in 1850.
Proctor During the Civil War
During the American Civil War in 1862, something important happened in Proctor. A flour mill in Proctor was burned down by soldiers led by a Confederate Colonel named John Hunt Morgan. He did this to try and stop a Union General named George W. Morgan from retreating from Cumberland Gap.
Lee County's Creation and Name
Lee County became Kentucky's 115th county on March 1, 1870. It was formed from parts of several other counties, including Owsley, Wolfe, Breathitt, and Estill counties.
The county might have been named after the famous Confederate General Robert E. Lee. However, many early settlers in the area came from Lee County, Virginia. So, the name might have come from that Virginia county instead. James Madison Beatty, who was the first County Attorney, and his wife Josephine, gave land in Beattyville for a courthouse and a jail. Because of this, the county seat soon moved from Proctor to Beattyville, across the river.
Quick Facts About Proctor
- Proctor was the very first county seat of Lee County in 1870.
- It was also home to the first Post Office within what is now Lee County, which opened in February 1846.
