The Documentation

Records from the pages of history are part of the story.  Documentation is the role.  The following pages are copies of  the documents used to write the story of Danville.  They are given for those who might want to research the primary documents for their own understand. 

Microfilm "REEL NO. 1" is the source for much of the documentation regarding the early days of Danville. [Part of Virginia at this time.]  The reels are stored in Frankfort at the Kentucky History Society Museum.  They were filmed by the Kentucky Historical Society July 18, 1969.

The reel contains the first 528 pages of the supreme court records of Kentucky District beginning 11-4-1783.  The above page is from the index of this record showing the listing "Danville Plan of Town" on page 67.  This record is the first story of our town Danville.  Check it out.

Trying to Sort Things Out

Over the river and through the woods...oh...no...down the river and through the woods would be more like it.  They were the only ways to get to this new, western settlement area that was to become Kentucky.

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina all wanted to get their fur traders and land speculators into this western territory.  These colonies' geographic relationship to "the river" (Ohio), and "the woods" (mountains) are shown in the drawing to the right. 

Pennsylvania was essentially located at the head waters of the Ohio.  Virginia and North Carolina competed for the land access (gaps) to this territory, and were soon to run into folks from Pennsylvania coming down that Shenandoah Valley.  Virginia also had some of the earliest explorers to find this "New River" that was to open the door to western expansion.  Each colony was determined to settle this area to the advantage of the merchants and money backers who on the most part were living the good life back along the coast.

Who would have known that this little place that was to become Danvillle would find all these folks in 63 acres of land in a small square trying to sort things out.

The Beginning

Danville, Kentucky, Boyle County, is the geographical center of the State.  Its history begins at the end of the trail they called "The Wilderness Road".  Just after the Revolutionary War it was the first place you could mail a letter, buy supplies, get put in jail, and all kinds of fun stuff.  It has its own history, which needs to be shared.

A blog centered on the center of Kentucky.  How about that?  Spending some time on researching this topic, there is much to be said.  So come join me, and others who might have an interest.  Historic Danville, Kentucky...the beginning.

The figure to the right shows the cover of the book titled "Ken-Tah-The" which gives the story to the naming of Danville.  There is much more to tell.