A Moment in Time: The History of Buffalo Trace - Fort Hartford, Kentucky A trail through the Kentucky wilderness worn smooth and deep by 10,000 years of thundering bison hooves provides a significant link to the history of local commerce. The trace originated as buffalo gathered at a salt lick located near the meeting of the north and south forks of Panther Creek as recorded on an 1806 map of this area in possession of The Kentucky Museum, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green. Taking a northerly direction from this juncture, the trace most likely followed paths along what are now Highways 231 and 431. These paths eventually converged near present day midtown Owensboro before continuing along one route northward and descending into a ravine in the Ohio River at the foot of Frederica Street. William Smeathers traveled the buffalo trail between Fort Hartford, Kentucky and the Ohio River until he reached this ravine. There he built a cabin/tavern which soon attracted keel boaters who would stop for food and whiskey, establishing the future City of Owensboro, Kentucky as an important site for commerce. This legend is recorded in Kentucky Historic Marker #1307 located at First and Frederica streets in Owensboro. The city of Owensboro launched a project a few years ago to commemorate the history of the Buffalo Trace by dedicating statues of bronze buffalo that can be seen in downtown Owensboro. And, yes, the city of Hartford has its very own Buffalo Lane located near Rough River in Hartford.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 22:17:41 +0000
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