Poage's Landing

Discover the rich history of Ashland, KY, rooted in the story of Poages Landing. In 1799, the Poage family, led by Robert, Colonel Robert, and John Poage, ventured through the Cumberland Gap and settled at the junction of the Ohio River and Buffalo Trail. They established Poages Landing, building a strong foundation for the thriving community that would later become Ashland. Governor James Garrard of Virginia granted the Poages the land, which they cultivated with the help of slaves and supplies. The original name, Poages Landing, was replaced by Slash Cottage, but it was Henry Clay, a prominent lawyer and politician, who left an indelible mark on the area. After settling in Lexington, he named his farm "Ashland" after its blue ash trees. The city eventually adopted this name in honor of Clay's lasting legacy.