Historical Markers

Aviation Pioneer

(Marker Number: 1222)

County: Carter

Location: US 60 & KY 182

Description: Matthew Sellers, among first to experiment with gliding and power flight. Did this research at his home and laboratory, 6 mi. south, 1897-1911. Built most advanced wind tunnel of his day, 1903, to study lift and drag of various wing designs; and developed first use of retracting wheels, 1908, on powered plane said to be lightest ever flown. See over.

(Reverse) Matthew B. Sellers - Born in Baltimore, 1869, of parents who were Kentuckians. He was educated in Germany and France, receiving law degree at Harvard, 1892. Died in 1932. Among patents he received: 1908, airplane-type kite, prototype for later models; 1909, fourwing glider, basis for powered plane; 1911, power plane with retractable wheels; 1914, steering and wheel retraction improvements. See over. Presented by sons of Matthew Sellers.

Subjects: Aviation 

Beckham County

(Marker Number: 1177)

County: Carter

Location: Olive Hill, US 60

Description: Created from parts of Carter, Lewis and Elliott counties with county seat here by legislative act signed February 9, 1904, by Governor J. C. W. Beckham, for whom it was named. C. C. Brooks appointed County Judge. On April 29, 1904, the Court of Appeals ruled that it failed to meet constitutional standards of size and population and ordered it dissolved.

Subjects: Beckham, J.C.W.

Home of Gov. Fields

(Marker Number: 640)

County: Carter

Location: 1 mi. E. of Olive Hill, US 60

Description: "Honest Bill from Olive Hill." Home of Gov. William Jason Fields, 34th Governor of Kentucky, 1923-27. He promoted Kentucky's first grant of Federal aid for road construction, consolidation of schools, teacher-training colleges at Murray and Morehead. Member U.S. Congress, 1911-23, Commonwealth Attorney, 1932-33. Born 1874 and died 1954 in Carter County. Buried Olive Hill.

Dedicated March 17, 1964.

Saltpeter Cave

(Marker Number: 209)

County: Carter

Location: 344 Caveland Dr., Olive Hill

Description: Saltpeter mined here from which gunpowder was made that was used by Kentucky riflemen during the War of 1812. There are remains of those works in cave. Reputed rendezvous for counterfeiters in early years. Artifacts and Indian graves found in cavern.

Dedicated September 27, 1963.

Subjects: Salt Works | War of 1812 | State Parks