Want to follow the footsteps of Daniel Boone through Knox County? The trail blazed by Daniel Boone in 1775 not only still exists throughout most of our county but most of the trail may be traveled by car along paved roads.

Here are the directions for driving on Boone's Trace through Knox County, as researched by the Knox Historical Museum and earlier county historians.

Entering Knox County from the south along U.S. 25E and just south of the Knox-Bell County line, take a right turn on Route 3085 and follow this loop, passing the mouths of Ely Branch and then Pogue Hollow.
Reenter U.S. 25E from the loop. About one quarter of a mile north, turn right entering south Flat Lick, passing through a small railroad underpass. This is again state route 3085. This loop will pass by the Daniel Boone Memorial Park, marking the site where the Warriors Path enters Stinking Creek and leaves the Boone Trace and Wilderness Road. This is the last place at which all three of the state's earliest roads from Cumberland Gap exist together. The old Boone Trace continues through old Flat Lick to the Evergreen Community, where it again reenters U.S. 25E.

This section of 25E takes you past the mouth of Stinking Creek and over Turkey Creek where once stood Middleton Station, a safe haven for the earliest travelers. The old station was located on the left at the mouth of Fortney Branch behind the Turkey Creek Baptist Church. Continue on 25E and you'll soon turn right and enter south Bimble at Route 3439 (formerly old 25E). Continue on to the intersection of this road and Route 1304 at the site of the former Beckham Garland Store and Post Office.

From this intersection the Trace actually continues down Route 1304 about a quarter of mile and turns left onto Shy Mug Hollow, proceeding up the hollow and through the gap into Trace Branch. For our driving tour, however, we suggest continuing on Route 3439 and turning right onto Route 3440 (Higgins Hollow). Continue on Route 3440 to Route 11. This puts you back on the Trace.

Turn south (left) on Route 11 toward Heidrick and proceed until reaching Route 2418, also known as the Old Blue Gable Straight. Turn right and you will soon reach U.S. 25E. One of Daniel Boone's camps was believed to be near this intersection.

Now take a right and head north on 25E towards Bailey Switch. You will drive approximately two miles before turning left onto Poplar Branch-Arkle Road, also known as the Emanuel Loop. You'll soon pass Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church on your left and cross Poplar Branch and proceed toward Arkle on route of the CSX Railroad. You will continue for several miles before intersecting with Route 233. Continue north on this road to the Gray community and re-cross present U.S. 25E at today's Cross Roads Market.

Continue on Route 233 to intersect Highway 830. You will continue on this road until it leaves Knox County. From there, Highway 830 enters Laurel County and passes Robinson Creek Church and heads north up Route 229 past Levi Jackson State Park and on into the city of London.