Putnam Stadium
This stadium served the Ashland Public Schools. Built in 1937 for $6,500 as a WPA project, it was dedicated on Thanksgiving Day that same year. The Ashland High School Tomcats\' record of success includes 11 state championships. In 1944, the Tomcats played under the lights at Putnam Stadium for the first time. Presented by Representative John Vincent.','Schools|Sports|Works Progress Administration (WPA)',''),
('Sandy Furnace','1131','Boyd','KY 3 at KY 773','Built 1853 by Young, Foster & Co. (Dan and John Young, Wm. Foster, Irwin Gilruth), 4 mi. west on a 19,000 acre tract. Stone stack originally 32 ft. high, 101/2 ft. across inside. In 1854, its last year of operation, made 1000 tons of iron, which had to be hauled by oxcart across country to Big Sandy River. See other side. Marker presented by Armco Steel Corp.
(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads.','Iron Industry'),
('\"Uncle\" Charlie Moran','1091','Boyle','US 127, Centre College Campus, Danville','Colorful college football coach and National Baseball League umpire. Coached Praying Colonels of Centre College into national football spotlight, 1916-23. See other side. First coached, 1898-99, at Bethel College, Russellville, Ky. Then held four other coaching positions before going to Texas A. and M., where he coached, 1908-13, and at Carlisle Indian School, 1914-15. After seven years at Centre, then went to Bucknell Univ., 1923-25; Catawba College, 1929-39. National League umpire, 1917-39. Officiated at four baseball World Series-1927, 29, 33, 38. Born in Nashville, Tennessee, 1879. University of Tenn., 1897. Resident of Horse Cave. Died, 1949. Interred Horse Cave Cemetery.
(Reverse) Coach Moran\'s Banner Football Record at Centre
| Centre | Opponent | Centre | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | 1920 | ||
| 95 Hanover 0 | 66 Morris Harvey 0 | ||
| Centre | Opponent | Centre | Opponent |
| 1919
12 - Indiana - 3 57 - St. Xavier - 0 69 - Transylvania - 0 46 - Virginia - 7 14 - W. Virginia - 6 56 - Kentucky - 0 56 - DePauw - 0 77 - Georgetown - 7 |
1920
120 - Howard - 0 55 - Transylvania -0 14 - Harvard - 31 0 - Georgia Tech - 24 34 - DePauw - 0 49 - Kentucky - 0 28 - VPI - 0 103 - Georgetown - 0 77 - Tex. Christian - 7 |
||
| 1921 National
Champions
14 - Clemson - 0 14 - VPI - 0 28 - St. Xavier - 6 98 - Transylvania - 0 6 - Harvard - 0 55 - Kentucky - 0 21 - Auburn - 0 25 - Wash. and Lee - 0 21 - Tulane - 0 38 - Arizona - 0
Post season 14 - Texas A and M - 22 |
|||
| 1922
72 - Carson-Newman - 0 21 - Clemson - 0 55 - Mississippi - 0 10 - VPI - 6 10 - Harvard - 24 32 - Louisville - 7 27 - Kentucky - 3 27 - Wash. and Lee - 6 0 - Auburn - 6 42 - S. Carolina - 0 |
1923
14 - Carson-Newman - 0 28 - Clemson - 7 29 - Oglethorpe - 0 0 - Pennsylvania - 24 10 - Kentucky - 0 20 - Sewanee - 6 17 - Auburn - 0 19 - Wash. and Lee - 0 3 - Georgia - 3 |
The famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, has been held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville since 1875.
The county was officially established on December 24, 1860, and was named after Linn Boyd, a politician from Kentucky. Like many areas in Appalachia, Boyd County was predominantly rural and agriculturally focused in its early years. The fertile soil and abundant natural resources attracted settlers, who established small communities and farms throughout the area.
The discovery of natural gas and oil in the late 1800s brought significant economic growth to Boyd County. Companies like the Ashland Oil and Refining Company, now known as Marathon Petroleum Corporation, flourished, attracting workers from far and wide. This led to the expansion of towns like Ashland, the county seat, which became an important transportation and industrial center.
Throughout the 20th century, Boyd County continued to thrive and diversify its economy. The construction of the Bluegrass Army Depot during World War II brought jobs and stability to the region. In recent decades, the county has embraced tourism, with attractions like the Highlands Museum and Discovery Center and the Paramount Arts Center drawing visitors from across the state.
Today, Boyd County remains a vibrant and dynamic community, blending its rich history with a focus on education, healthcare, and industry. The county is known for its strong sense of community, natural beauty, and commitment to preserving its heritage while embracing the future.
Boyd County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Boyd County, Kentucky.
- 1860 - Boyd County is established as a county in Kentucky
- 1872 - Ashland, the county seat of Boyd County, is officially incorporated as a city
- 1879 - The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway is completed through Boyd County, boosting the local economy
- 1899 - The Ashland Iron & Mining Company is founded, becoming a significant employer in the region
- 1937 - Famed country music singer and songwriter, Billy Ray Cyrus, is born in Flatwoods, Boyd County
- 1954 - The Ashland Oil Refinery is established, becoming one of the region's largest employers
- 1968 - The Ohio River flood devastates Boyd County and surrounding areas
- 1992 - The Paramount Arts Center, a historic theater in Ashland, celebrates its centennial anniversary