A History of the Daniel Boone National Forest 1770 - 1970

Scarcely had the new purchase unit been established, and before the work of acquisition had proceeded to any extent, a question immediately arose as to an appropriate name for this purchase unit. Apparently discussions at the local level had taken place and it had been proposed that, because of the proximity of the Cumberland River and the Cumberland Mountains, the purchase unit be named the Cumberland Purchase Unit. In reviewing the file it is interesting to note the various comments on this decision. It is important to note that this correspondence was not particularly concerned with the name Cumberland as a purchase unit, but was concerned with continuing the name of Cumberland when the purchase unit should be proclaimed a National Forest.

On November 15, 1930, W. E. Hedges, Chief Land Examiner in charge of initiating the acquisition work on the Cumberland Purchase Unit, wrote to the Regional Forester in Washington, D.C. as follows, "Since protest has been registered against the name Cumberland being applied to this purchase unit, and since that protest appears to be well taken, it is recommended that the name be changed to Boone in memory of Daniel Boone, 'the Prince of Pioneers', a nationally-known character whose name is indelibly associated with the early settlement of Kentucky and whose activities in Kentucky were largely in the vicinity of this unit."

"It was here that in 1769," he wrote, "On the 7th day of June we found ourselves on the Red River . . . . and from an eminence saw with pleasure the beautiful level of Kentucke.' He established a fort at Boonesborough just outside the unit. His son was killed in battle and lies buried not far away. While he moved on to the West, Kentucky claimed his body, which now occupies a place of honor at the state capital.

"His memory should not only be an inspiration to the Service personnel located here, but we could do him no greater honor than to perpetuate, in his name, the things he most loved. Very truly yours, W. E. Hedges, Chief Land Examiner."

On July 21, 1931, Mr. Garrett of the Brodhead-Garrett Lumber Company, wrote to Joseph C. Kircher, the Regional Forester at Washington, D.C., as follows, "In talking to Mr. Hedges last Saturday, he stated the time was about at hand to select a name for the Cumberland Unit. I don't know who decides on this name, but suppose it is the Chief Forester, though it seems to us that you, being Regional Forester, should have more information about selecting the name than some other one who did not know so much about it. I wish you would have whoever decides on this name to hold it up until we can be heard. Mr. Hedges indicated that there is some talk of calling it the Daniel Boone National Forest. We seriously object to this. Not that we are knocking Daniel Boone, but if he ever did any outstanding act while he was in Kentucky we don't know anything about it, and we think the name is overworked. We have in mind the name of Richard Menefee, who was Congressman from Kentucky, and as well as I remember without looking it up, this would be a very desirable name, yet we are not fully wedded to this name until we look up the historical facts about Menefee. Menefee County was named for him. When you come down, I would like to discuss this with you, and I hope the name will not be decided upon until we can be heard.

"What do you think about letting the land-owners, which will be several hundred before you get through, selecting the name? I am just writing you this that you may be thinking it over before I see you. Mr. Garrett."

Another letter dated August 26, 1931, written to the Forester, U.S. Forest Service, Washington, D.C., and bearing the stationery letterhead, Boone Family Association, reads, "I have been requested by residents of Powell County, as President of the Boone Family Association, to join in the request that the National Forest in the eastern part of Kentucky be named for Daniel Boone, and that this name is now under consideration. In this suggested honor to the man who in 1769 to 1771 made the first extended residence in the heart of Kentucky, (The Bluegrass Region, the Kentucke of the Indians); who made the first extensive exploration; who organized its first colony in 1773, though stopped by a disastrous Indian attack, finally reached the Kentucky River in 1775, bring with them the first women, Boone's wife and daughter; who cut out the first highway, the 'Wilderness Road', over which a 'young nation made its way'; who built the first American fort in the West, Boonesborough, Kentucky, and who led in its defense throughout the American Revolution, I most heartily concur and pledge the concurrence of this Association. We hope that kinship to the old pioneer will not weaken the force of our request which we believe will meet the approval of a large majority of the citizens of Kentucky, who annually celebrate June 7th as Boone's Day, as on that date in 1769 Boone and his party first saw the famous hunting grounds the Indians called Kentucky'.

"We believe that Daniel Boone is an outstanding character in American pioneer history, who explored the region you will now preserve as a National Forest is worthy of the honor of having it bear his name. Respectfully submitted, William Boone Douglass."

In reply to the above letter Regional Forester Kircher replied in part, "Mr. Kircher asked me to thank you for the interesting information as to Daniel Boone and your suggestions as to the name to be given to the Cumberland Purchase area in Kentucky when it becomes a National Forest. In all probability this forest will not be placed under administration for about a year and the question of the name will not be decided until the proclamation creating the National Forest is prepared. Your suggestions will be given careful consideration at that time."

Another letter was written on the letterhead of The Noble Store #9, Leanord Boone, Manager. This letter, written November 9, 1931 in Stanford, Kentucky, began, "To Whom It May Concern, Forest Reserve, Washington, D.C. Gentlemen: I with a large number of Kentucky folks ask that the eastern Kentucky forest Reserve of 510,000 acres located in those counties be named Daniel Boone Forest. Sincerely yours, Leanord D. Boone."

Under date of November 10, 1931, in a letter to Regional Forester Kircher in Washington, D.C., Mr. Garrett, President of the Brodhead-Garrett Lumber Company at Clay City, Kentucky, again writes, "We have talked to a good many of the land-owners in the forest area about a name for the forest. They know they do not have the right to select a name for the Federal Forest Reserve, but we know you would like for them to be pleased with the name, and the ones I have talked to have agreed on the name Daniel Boone National Forest. I understood from someone with the Forestry Department that it would be called Cumberland, Henry Clay or Daniel Boone, and of these three I think the land owners as a whole will be better pleased with the name Daniel Boone.

"One of Daniel Boone's descendents is working in some Federal Department in Washington and has been for many years. He is President of the Organization of the Daniel Boone Family, and they have re-unions about once a year. Some of them live in this county — Powell.

"I hope your department will consider the name Daniel Boone National Forest. (Signed) Yours truly, H. G. Garrett, President."

Regional Forester Kircher replied to Mr. Garrett's letter which in part says, ". . . The choice of a name will be taken up and decided upon at the time the proclamation is issued for the creation of the forest which will not be until a sufficiently large area of land is actually acquired and ready to be placed under administration. At that time we will be glad to give the fullest consideration to the suggestions which you and these other gentlemen have made."

Another letter prepared on the stationery with a letterhead City Of Louisville, Kentucky, Executive Department, dated November 24, 1931, reads, "U.S. Forestry Division, Washington, D.C., Gentlemen: I am writing to ask that the five hundred ten thousand acre forest reservation in Eastern Kentucky, now in process of formation, be named the Daniel Boone Forest Reserve. It is signed Very Truly yours, W. B. Harrison, Mayor."

Another interesting letter was dated December 6, 1931, and headed Levelgreen, Kentucky. The letter is written in a very shakey hand with a pen, apparently by some person of advanced age. The letter reads, "I think the name of Daniel Boone Forest Reserve is a very appropriate name for the reserve and also am glad that the Government is having the work done as I own a lot of land that has some pretty scenery on it, high hills and a lot of cedars making a forest of evergreens. Mrs. J. N. Brown."

Under date of July 30, 1935, Forest Supervisor C. L. Graham writes to C. Frank Dunn, Lexington Herald, Lexington, Kentucky, as follows, ". . . I am also glad to know of your interest in the Cumberland National Forest and we are now trying to make arrangements to permit the dissemination of information about the Cumberland for the use of yourself and other interested representatives of public opinion throughout the state.

"In regard to the last paragraph of your letter concerning the possibility of having this area named the Daniel Boone National Forest, I am not in the position at this time to state whether or not there is any possibility along that line. I will, however, be glad to present your suggestion to the Regional Forester and see that it is given full consideration. I will keep you in touch with any developments along that line . . ." As a footnote to the copy of that letter which went to the Regional Forester, Supervisor Graham added the following comment "P.S. — Offhand this does not sound like such a bad idea to me. Certainly it would be received with much favor by many of the influential citizens and organizations throughout the state. We of course are not yet committed to the title "Cumberland National Forest" in that an official proclamation has not yet been made. It appears, however, that we are approaching the point where such a proclamation should be issued and I believe it would be well to give this very serious consideration before that event takes place.

"I can foresee no opposition to dropping the word Cumberland particularly since the word Cumberland in Kentucky is chiefly associated with the Cumberland River rather than the Cumberland Plateau. Such a change would also do away with the possible confusion resulting from having a Cumberland Falls State Park within the Forest.

"If the idea strikes you at all favorably, I will explore the proposition further from this end and possibly sound out public opinion in a limited way. Were we to make the change I believe it would be Boone National Forest rather Daniel Boone National Forest. Supervisor Graham."

As the next step in this process it was customary to obtain the opinions of the various chiefs of the Divisions of the Regional Office of the Forest Service before making any decision on the matter. Included with the copies of correspondence is a copy of a routing slip from the Regional Office which had been sent to each of the Division Chiefs and on which they had made their comments as to the desirability of naming the new purchase unit the Daniel Boone National Forest. Their comments were as follows:

Mr. Evans, "I prefer Cumberland."

Mr. Scott, "I don't like the idea."

Mr. Shields, "Let's not change it;"

Mr. Hopkins, "I prefer the Cumberland. Don't like two names, Daniel Boone and without the Daniel the main point is lost."

Mr. Tillotson, "Prefer Cumberland."

Mr. Yarnall, "I prefer Cumberland — especially since seeing statue of Daniel Boone."

Mr. Dort, "Cumberland, Daniel Boone is well advertised already."

Mr. Mahurin, "Don't like the idea but think it a point that could well be conceded to local public opinion."

On the basis of this informal poll on September 18, 1935, Assistant Regional Forester Yarnall wrote to Forest Supervisor Graham of the Cumberland as follows, "Reference is made to the copy of your letter of July 30, to Mr. C. Frank Dunn, of Lexington, with reference to a change in the name of the Cumberland when it is proclaimed a National Forest.

"It is the consensus of opinion in this office that Cumberland is preferable to Boone or Daniel Boone. Of the latter two, however, Boone is preferred as a matter of convenience.

"It is the consensus of opinion in this office that Cumberland is preferable to Boone or Daniel Boone. Of the latter two, however, Boone is preferred as a matter of convenience.

"While this office will not oppose the change you have suggested if there appears to be a popular demand for it, I hope that you may be able to so guide public opinion that the necessity of making the change may not arise."

A further review of correspondence indicates that opinion at the Regional level and at the Chief's office level was still somewhat divided. Under date of March 10, 1936, there appears a memorandum for file which reads as follows: "This morning I discussed with Major Guthrie over the telephone the subject of a name for the Cumberland Purchase Unit, which it is proposed to have proclaimed a National Forest as soon as suitable maps are available.

"I advised Mr. Guthrie that two names that had been suggested were Boone and Cumberland. He stated that it was very definitely his opinion that of the two names Boone is preferable." This memorandum was signed by S. H. Marsh, Regional Inspector.

In reviewing the correspondence file further we find under date of March 26, 1936, a letter to the Regional Forester, Washington, D.C., from Forest Supervisor C. L. Graham in which he says, "The question of changing the name of the unit is a fairly delicate one and cannot properly be put up for public discussion. This is particularly true right now when there is consideration of a long war here in Kentucky as to whether Mr. Boone or Mr. Henderson were the most important in the development of the State. I did put the matter up in a confidential manner to Tom Wallace, of the Louisville Times, at Louisville. We had better keep clear of trying to name any area in Kentucky after an individual or organization because of the difficulties we would run into with all the other groups who might feel they had been slighted. There are, of course, many illustrious names in Kentucky to choose from, but I am very much inclined to agree with Mr. Wallace that we would do better to stick to the present name rather than get mixed up in what might turn out to be a really serious public tangle. More than that, the area has already been pretty well accepted and known by the people here in Kentucky as the 'Cumberland National Forest', and I think we would be losing a lot of good publicity work, as well as setting up some confusion in the people's minds, were we to change it at this time.

"In view of the situation as explained above, it is my definite recommendation that the Cumberland Purchase Unit be proclaimed as the Cumberland National Forest."

On May 4, 1936, in a memorandum to the Regional Forester, Assistant Regional Forester Ira. T. Yarnall writes, "Since we had previously discussed with Major Guthrie the matter of a name for the proposed Kentucky National Forest; now the Cumberland Purchase Unit, and he had recommended the name Boone, I felt that he should be advised of the contents of Supervisor Graham's letter of March 26.

"Major Guthrie has been out of the city, but upon his return the matter was discussed further with him and after reveiwing Supervisor Graham's recommendations he is still of the opinion that we should name the forest the Boone, for the following reasons:

"It is a National Forest, and although we should take into consideration local opinion and controversies, we should not necessarily be governed by them in the selection of a name for a National institution;

"Boone is a national figure, very definitely associated in the minds of most people with the development of Kentucky;

"The name Cumberland is adequately perpetuated by mountains and a river of that name. There are likewise Cumberland Counties in some states and Major Guthrie feels that this name is not peculiar to Kentucky.

"In accordance with our discussion of this subject on May 2, you decided that the name of this forest should be continued as is; namely, Cumberland. Accordingly when an adequate map is available steps will be taken to have this area proclaimed Cumberland National Forest."

It is interesting to note the processes by which the national forest name was decided. It is also interesting to note that some 30 years later this same subject was raised by a supervisor and staff who had no knowledge of the foregoing actions and correspondence. At that time this question was based on a study of the history of the area and what appeared to be the appropriate naming.