Wilderness Road Heritage Highway - Naming of the Cumberland River Historical Marker - Pineville, KY
N 36° 44.558 W 083° 41.605
17S E 259519 N 4069705
The Wilderness Road Heritage Highway was the route that many late-18th century settlers traveled into Kentucky, one of the most famous being Daniel Boone. Much of the route follows the Cumberland River. This marker tells how it was named.
Waymark Code: WM3X6N
Location: Kentucky, United States
Date Posted: 05/29/2008
Views: 19
The Wilderness Road Heritage Highway starts at the Cumberland Gap National Park and follows US-25E northward, switching to KY-229 north of Barbourville and then to US25 at London, ending at Berea.
The Cumberland River was named for the Duke of Cumberland. The famous Cumberland Gap started to be called the Cumberland Gap as a by-product of the river's name.
The marker reads:
"Naming of the Cumberland River
Near this site where the creek enters the river, on April 17, 1750, Dr. Thomas Walker first viewed the river he named for the Duke of Cumberland. Known as the "Narrows," this area became a significant gateway for travelers on the Wilderness Road."
Program: America's Byways
Website: [Web Link]
Official Name: Wilderness Road Heritage Highway
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