Tom and I recently made a quick visit to Blue Licks State Park in Kentucky. We are going back to Ohio once a month, mostly for doctor appointments, during our time at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. It is a six hour drive back home, so we can easily make it in a day with some time to spare. We have highlighted several things to stop and see either going or coming. Blue Licks State Park was the first of these stops along the way.
Blue Licks State Park preserves the site of one of the last battles of the American Revolutionary War. The Battle of Blue Licks took place on August 19, 1782, ten months after the surrender at Yorktown. Daniel Boone was one of the leaders of the 182 Kentucky militia that fought 300 Loyalists and Native Americans in the battle. Israel Boone, Daniel Boone’s 23 year old son, was killed in the battle.
The Battle of Blue Licks was started by Hugh McGary, a fierce Indian hunter but also a famed hothead. Daniel Boone warned the militia that they were in danger of being ambushed. McGary called him a coward and rushed up the embankment toward the hidden Native Americans and Loyalists. When the rest of the men rushed after McGary, Boone led his men into the battle as well. The militia was soon routed with many men killed or wounded.
Today Blue Licks State Park preserves the battlefield and has a reenactment of the battle every year on the weekend closest to August 19. Tom and I admired the main monument, which listed the names of all the militia who were killed, wounded, or captured during the battle. We wanted to visit the Pioneer Museum but it is closed on Tuesdays.
In addition to the battlefield, Blue Licks State Park has a 32 room lodge and conference center. There is a full service restaurant, gift shop, outdoor pool, picnic shelters and campground. The Licking River makes this a destination for kayakers and canoeists looking for the perfect float trip. The lodge looked closed the day we visited, but we did not try to go in.
Blue Licks State Park is a nice park with an interesting history. Tom and I may try stopping by there again on a day the museum is open.