Squire Boone's Station facts for kids

Squire Boone's Station, also known as Painted Stone Station, was an early settlement in Kentucky, United States. It was built around 1779 or 1780 by Squire Boone. Squire was the brother of the famous pioneer, Daniel Boone. The station was located on the Clear Fork of Brashear Creek, about 2 miles north of where Shelbyville is today.

The name "Painted Stone Station" came from a rock near the creek. Squire Boone had painted his name and the date 1776 on this rock. This was when he first explored and claimed the land. Squire Boone's Station was the first big settlement in what is now Shelby County. Important people like Captain Robert Tyler lived there.

Life at the Station

Life at the station was often dangerous. Settlers had to be ready for attacks. The station was a fortified place, meaning it had defenses to protect the people inside.

Attacks and Moving On

In April 1781, about 20 Native Americans attacked the settlement. Squire Boone was shot twice. He was hit in his side and his right arm. These injuries were very serious. He needed many months to get better. His right arm ended up being about 1.5 inches shorter than his left arm for the rest of his life.

In September of that same year, the settlers got a warning. Major Bland Ballard told them another attack was coming. Most families decided to leave the station. They went to a safer place called Linn's Station. However, Squire Boone's family could not leave because of his injuries. Also, the Hinton family, a widow and her children, had to stay. They did not have enough horses to carry their belongings.

The Long Run Massacre

The families who left for Linn's Station were attacked on their way. This event is known as the Long Run Massacre. Native Americans and British soldiers led by Captain Alexander McKee attacked them.

A few days later, a group of 300 men from Louisville rescued the families still at Squire Boone's Station. Squire Boone tried to go back to the station a few weeks later. But he met another group of Native Americans and had to turn back. He spent the winter at Low Dutch Station. Later, he moved to Fort Harrod.

Returning to the Station

Squire Boone came back to the station in late 1783. He brought several families with him, including his cousin Samuel Boone's family. They arrived in the middle of winter. They found that the entire station had been burned down. Even so, the Boones stayed. Over the next year, Squire built a gristmill (for grinding grain) and a sawmill (for cutting wood).

Changes and New Names

Squire Boone tried to make money by buying and selling land. This worked for a few years. But in 1786, his plans failed. He lost all his property, including the station, to the people he owed money to. He then moved to Well's Station.

In 1786, Squire Boone's Station was given to a person named Colonel Lynch. Its name was then changed to "Lynch’s Station."

When Shelby County was created in 1792, people thought about making Squire Boone's Station the county court location. But instead, Shelbyville was chosen. This happened after a local landowner, William Shannon, gave land for public buildings there.