Note: Below is the proposal we prepared for the City of Manchester for our newest project, a pioneer village re-creation at the site of the first community in the county, the Langford Salt works, which served as the first seat of county government before there was a Manchester.
Proposal: Historic Pioneer Village and Museum
Background:
The first settlement in Clay County was at the site of the Langford Salt Works, one of the most important industries in Kentucky at the time as made clear by legislative acts in the early 1800s that funded roads from the Wilderness Road to the salt works before Clay County was established.
The legislative Act of December 1806 that called for the creation of Clay County in April 1807 stipulated that the county and circuit courts would meet in the cabin of Robert Baker, which was one of the cabins situated at the Langford Works. Until the town of Manchester could be established several months later, the community around the Langford Salt Works (by then being called the “Goose Creek Salt Works” locally) would be the seat of government for the new county.
This site, the most historic in Clay County (and one of the most historic in southeast Kentucky), was located at the point where the old Warrior’s Path crossed Goose Creek at a ford (later called Gillian Ford) at the mouth of Tan Yard Branch, the stream that drained what came to be known as the “Y Hollow” in present-day East Manchester.
Proposal:
The Clay County Genealogical and Historical Society, in concert with the City of Manchester, proposes to build an interpretative re-creation of the little village around the salt works by relocating to the site three or four historic log buildings already acquired. A rough plank building would be constructed to represent the building that covered the salt works furnace.
One of these cabins (between 175 and 220 years old) would house the Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum. The plank building would house an interpretive replica of the salt-making operation. The entire compound would be surrounded by a split-rail fence.
Implementation (in two stages):
Stage One:
Prepare a one-acre or smaller site to contain the structures by placing earthen fill to bring the ground level above flood stage. (Area earmarked for parking would not need to be raised.)
Stage Two:
Secure funds to disassemble the log structures, haul them to the site and reassemble them on site. This stage would include putting the structures under roof, erecting the split-rail fence, and landscaping of the knoll the buildings would be situated on.
NOTE: Completion of Stage Two would result in a finished historical site. The significance of the site would be explained in two or three large interpretive signs as in the History Pavilion downtown, and/or state Historic Highway Markers on site. See Stage Three for optional economic development.
Stage Three (Optional):
Secure funds to make the Pioneer Village a day-destination for tourism by:
• Preparing the museum cabin for all-weather occupancy by providing electricity and plumbing.
• Constructing a men’s and women’s toilet facility near-by.
• Providing lighting, signage, and gravel parking area.
• Providing for personnel for the museum (weekends only).
• Constructing replica of salt furnace for plank salt shed.
Proposal: Historic Pioneer Village and Museum
Background:
The first settlement in Clay County was at the site of the Langford Salt Works, one of the most important industries in Kentucky at the time as made clear by legislative acts in the early 1800s that funded roads from the Wilderness Road to the salt works before Clay County was established.
The legislative Act of December 1806 that called for the creation of Clay County in April 1807 stipulated that the county and circuit courts would meet in the cabin of Robert Baker, which was one of the cabins situated at the Langford Works. Until the town of Manchester could be established several months later, the community around the Langford Salt Works (by then being called the “Goose Creek Salt Works” locally) would be the seat of government for the new county.
This site, the most historic in Clay County (and one of the most historic in southeast Kentucky), was located at the point where the old Warrior’s Path crossed Goose Creek at a ford (later called Gillian Ford) at the mouth of Tan Yard Branch, the stream that drained what came to be known as the “Y Hollow” in present-day East Manchester.
Proposal:
The Clay County Genealogical and Historical Society, in concert with the City of Manchester, proposes to build an interpretative re-creation of the little village around the salt works by relocating to the site three or four historic log buildings already acquired. A rough plank building would be constructed to represent the building that covered the salt works furnace.
One of these cabins (between 175 and 220 years old) would house the Historical Society’s Pioneer Museum. The plank building would house an interpretive replica of the salt-making operation. The entire compound would be surrounded by a split-rail fence.
Implementation (in two stages):
Stage One:
Prepare a one-acre or smaller site to contain the structures by placing earthen fill to bring the ground level above flood stage. (Area earmarked for parking would not need to be raised.)
Stage Two:
Secure funds to disassemble the log structures, haul them to the site and reassemble them on site. This stage would include putting the structures under roof, erecting the split-rail fence, and landscaping of the knoll the buildings would be situated on.
NOTE: Completion of Stage Two would result in a finished historical site. The significance of the site would be explained in two or three large interpretive signs as in the History Pavilion downtown, and/or state Historic Highway Markers on site. See Stage Three for optional economic development.
Stage Three (Optional):
Secure funds to make the Pioneer Village a day-destination for tourism by:
• Preparing the museum cabin for all-weather occupancy by providing electricity and plumbing.
• Constructing a men’s and women’s toilet facility near-by.
• Providing lighting, signage, and gravel parking area.
• Providing for personnel for the museum (weekends only).
• Constructing replica of salt furnace for plank salt shed.
These log structures have already been donated to the Society to form the base of the proposed Pioneer Settler's Village.
Click here to see the project as it takes shape according to the proposal as outlined here. Photos and story.