The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1916-11-17
CRAB ORCHARD
One of Pioneer Towns of the State,
and Busy Capital of East End.
(By J. G.. Claiborne.)

name from the crab apple thickets
that formerly covered the home of
world-famed and original Crab Or
chard Salts which has been the means
of introducing Tie town to thousands
| of people throughout the land that
possibly, otherwise would not know
today that such a place existed. Yet
the town Itself is deserving of ali
the praise that it has received at the
hands of those who have once visited
here and become better acquainted
with Eer genial, wholesome people
the ideal surroundings and the de,
ilghtful climatic conditions that ex-
lists here the year around.
located III Lincoln county, on the
knoxville branch of the L. & N. rail
road, 139 miles south of Cincinnati
and 115 from Louisville, it is easily
accessible from al! points. 1t is a
great summer resort in particular
and noted especially for its great
variety of mineral waters which have
oeen boon to many a sufferer, re-
storing health and vigor to those of
impaired health.
Years before the civil war. Crab
Orchard was the center of ali bust
ness of Lincoln county. Men of great
wealth and influence resided here.
and business was conducted on a
large scale. People from the nearby
towns would come here when thew
found it necessary 20 raise money II
was an Influential community in those
days as it is today. The first settlers
c. the state selected the site of this
in
Among the well known and promi-
nent pioneers might be mentioned
Numbers, Guests, Roberts, Holmes,
Golfers, Stephensons, Penningtons,
and others.
The Oldest brick house in the state,
built by William Whitley, Glands to-
day IN perfect state of preservation,
about miles from town. Col. Whit
ley was a pioneer, coming to Ken
lucky from Virgiania in the year
1888, and selected the Crab Orchard
section as the most desirable in which
to live. He soon began the work of
erecting his mansion, for it was a
mansion in those days, built of the
best material and constructed in
such unique fashion that it was COP
sidered to be impregnable against the
attacks of the Indians, who were
numerous in the state and section at
that time. The walls, ceiling and
mantels are all hand-carved and dec
GRATED in most elaborate and taste
full manner. The hidden cellar" is
one OF the many interesting features
OF the old house, and was the means
of saving many lives from the toma-
hawk and scalping knife of the red
man In those days of adventure
The hospitality of the old settler
was one of his conspicuous charac-
terlstlcs, for everyone in the neigh
borhood was welcome at all times to
his home, and especially did they
seek his protection when the word
was passed that the Indians were pre-
pairing to make raid. Every man,
woman and child would flee to the
old Whitley home for safety. From
here the red men could be watched
and often driven away. But in the
event the whites were outnumbered
and massacre seemed inevitable,
the hidden cellar was sought and oc-
cupied until all danger was over.
The first race track ever built in
Kentucky was constructed just across
the road from the old Whitley house
1t was known as Sportsmens' Hill.
From Crab Orchard one gets
glimpse in the distance of the blue
outlines of the Cumberland noun
tains. 1t was through here that
Daniel Boone frequently passed; it
was here that Raccoon John Smith
preached his earliest sermons. Many
other notable features are connected
with the town.
A more beautiful location for
city could not be found in the whole
country; and here it is that nature
sends up from the depths of the
earth the most healing waters yet
discovered by man.
The town has been steadily grow
ing for some years and is good sub
stantial town, with about four miles
of cement side walks, fine streets,
two new roads now in course of con-
struction leading to the towns Of
BrOdhead and Stanford. 1t has a num-
Der of stores, all doing a good bust
ness and stocked with desirable and
up-tO-date lines of goods; flour and
meal mill; bOttling works and other
enterprises that are factors in the de-
velOpment of town or community.
A new passenger station is being
constructed, and which will be COM
pleted in about 80 days. 1t is the
home of the Crab Orchard Santa
rum, which is a benefactor to hun
dreds of people from all parts of the
country who are constantly inmates
here. There are two churches in the
town, Baptist and Christian churches
splendid graded school and every
thing else to make it an ideal place
in which to live and carry on bust
ness pursuits. 1t is situated in the
heart of one of the finest agricultur-
al sections of Kentucky, while timber
abounds on the hills and mountains
close by. The lands could be utilized
most profitably for vegetable grow
ing. No better location on the globe
could be selected for the establish
ment of business college. Other en-
terprises would thrive here, as the
distance to Dix river is less than one
half mile
Here resides some of the best, most
hospitable and aristocratic families
in the state. 1t used to be the mecca
of hundreds of wealthy southern
planters who spent their summers in