Daniel Boone’s Final Kentucky Home
The name Daniel Boone is almost as synonymous with the Bluegrass State as horses, bourbon, or basketball. He was among the first pioneers to truly explore the state, and lead some of it’s earliest settlers through the Cumberland Gap into these bountiful new lands.
Although Daniel spent nearly 25 years blazing trails and helping establish Kentucky as a new frontier for America, a series of bad land deals and resulting legal troubles prevented him from truly profiting from his efforts. Ultimately defeated, Boone turned his back on Kentucky and migrated to Missouri in 1799 where he would spend the remaining 20 years of his life.
Although Madison County’s Boonesborough can lay claim to the title of Kentucky’s first settlement, it is a simple cabin in Nicholas County which holds the quiet distinction of being Boone’s last home in the state so closely associated with his legend.
Located just off of Maysville Road near the town of Carlisle, this simple cabin was once the home of Boone’s son Daniel Morgan. It was here that Boone and his wife briefly lived, while making one last attempt to turn a profit in Kentucky by pursuing a state contract to widen the Wilderness Road that he had previously pioneered to bring in settlers. After losing his bid, Boone then fled the state with a warrant out for his arrest for failing to appear in one of his many land-dispute court cases.
Today this simple one-room cabin has been restored and is maintained by the city of Carlisle. The cabin is open during daylight hours, is furnished appropriately for Boone’s era, and is a fully self-guided tour. Visitors can unlatch the door, explore the cabin fully, and see themselves out. There is however a locked donation box in the cabin, with all proceeds being used to help with maintenance on this great little piece of history.
In addition to the cabin there is a small stone grill/fire pit, and it’s all situation along nice little spring. The access road to the cabin is gravel, but is easily traversable in car, with ample parking along side the cabin. The drive-way is shared with a neighboring farm though, so please be respectful and allow room for the farmer to get by.
Boone left his cabin a truly defeated man, and abandoned the state which had consumed nearly a third of his life. He would later pass in Missouri in 1820, having never again set foot in the Bluegrass. His remains were interred in his new home state, but would eventually be returned (at least partially) to Kentucky. But that story is well worth it’s own adventure.
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