Historic Overview

Maysville, Kentucky lay at a natural pioneer crossroads upon its founding in 1775, and subsequently became the Ellis Island of the Frontier© for literally millions of Americans who trace their heritage to ancestors who lived in or passed through the area.

Originally named Limestone, the settlement was situated near a main branch of the ancient Warrior’s Path (Athawominee), which ran through Lewis, Mason, Fleming & Robertson counties and connected with the Wilderness Road at the Cumberland Gap. The earliest explorers like Kenton and Boone, and subsequent settlers, made extensive use of these trails.

 

 

Maysville was located on the old Buffalo Trace, a natural bison trail through Mason, Fleming & Robertson counties into the heart of Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region. Later infamous as the Maysville Road, it was for many years the logical route from the western frontier to our nation’s capitol, as it connected to such major pioneer trails as the Natchez Trace and El Camino Real de los Tejas.

 

 

Maysville was the southwestern terminus of Zane’s Trace, an early route through the old Northwest Territory that passed through Brown and Adams counties in Ohio and connected to the historic National Road.

Of course, Maysville was a natural harbor on the Ohio River for the many pioneers traveling that watercourse toward the western frontier.

A virtual but no less important trail was the Underground Railroad, particularly through Robertson & Bracken counties toward the Ohio River and potential freedom in Brown County.

Because its local records are generally complete and well-preserved, this area holds a wealth of historical documentation for researchers.