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Rowan County, Kentucky

34 topographic sheets and 4 fire insurance atlases across 1 place.

Research this county

From the record

14 National Register listings published here.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

Kentucky within the United States
Rowan County within Kentucky

What the record shows

  • 1 place in this county was surveyed for fire insurance: Morehead, between 1908 and 1941.
  • 4 fire insurance atlases survive for the county. Topographic coverage is national; fire insurance survey reached only incorporated places with something worth insuring.
  • 296 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 14 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 12 buildings and 2 districts.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 29 populated places in this county; 29 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Photographs

39 photographs, 1935 to 2020

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Overcrowded conditions in a rural school near Morehead, Kentucky
Overcrowded conditions in a rural school near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
A complex art installation at the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
A complex art installation at the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
[Untitled
[Untitled
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1935. Library of Congress
Mountain cabin near Morehead, Kentucky
Mountain cabin near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
"Pangeon Youth," an installation by Robert Morgan inside the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
"Pangeon Youth," an installation by Robert Morgan inside the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Rural mailman who has brought the mail to the crossroads, transfers letters and packages to another postman's saddlebags. This rider takes the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagoon or car can go. In the mountain section near Morehead, Kentucky
Rural mailman who has brought the mail to the crossroads, transfers letters and packages to another postman's saddlebags. This rider takes the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagoon or car can go. In the mountain section near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Cecil Ison and "friend" at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Cecil Ison and "friend" at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
The Triplet Creek Produce outlet, which seems to be selling more rugs and flags than melons and corn, nea Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
The Triplet Creek Produce outlet, which seems to be selling more rugs and flags than melons and corn, nea Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Quilt at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Quilt at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Val Morgan, a retired attorney for the U.S. agency that oversees federal health-care payments, relaxes with two of her three wrinkly-faced, short-muzzle pug dogs, 14-year-old Loretta, left, and 17-year-old Gus
Val Morgan, a retired attorney for the U.S. agency that oversees federal health-care payments, relaxes with two of her three wrinkly-faced, short-muzzle pug dogs, 14-year-old Loretta, left, and 17-year-old Gus
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Cecil Ison and his most unusual "friends" at an even more distinctive folk-art installation the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Cecil Ison and his most unusual "friends" at an even more distinctive folk-art installation the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Artist Ronald Cooper's "Miss America" sculpture, displayed inside the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Artist Ronald Cooper's "Miss America" sculpture, displayed inside the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Rural mailman who has brought the mail to the crossroads transfers letters and packages to another postman's saddlebags. This rider takes the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagon or car can go. In the mountains section near Morehead, Kentucky
Rural mailman who has brought the mail to the crossroads transfers letters and packages to another postman's saddlebags. This rider takes the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagon or car can go. In the mountains section near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Prosperous farmer's new barn and old wash kettle near Morehead, Kentucky
Prosperous farmer's new barn and old wash kettle near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
One of the astounding, even disturbing, sculptures by Marvin (Marc) Francis at the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
One of the astounding, even disturbing, sculptures by Marvin (Marc) Francis at the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Bet Ison (and canine friends) at a most unusual folk-art installation called the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Bet Ison (and canine friends) at a most unusual folk-art installation called the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Rural mailman riding to the crossroads where he will meet another postman in a wagon. The mail sacks will then be transferred to his saddlebags and he will take the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagon or car can go. In the mountain section near Morehead, Kentucky
Rural mailman riding to the crossroads where he will meet another postman in a wagon. The mail sacks will then be transferred to his saddlebags and he will take the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagon or car can go. In the mountain section near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
[Untitled
[Untitled
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1935. Library of Congress
Two-room school house near Morehead, Kentucky. In these mountain areas the school term begins in June and goes through January, because in the late winter and spring months the weather is so severe and roads so bad and children's' clothing is too inadequate
Two-room school house near Morehead, Kentucky. In these mountain areas the school term begins in June and goes through January, because in the late winter and spring months the weather is so severe and roads so bad and children's' clothing is too inadequate
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Part of a quilt at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Part of a quilt at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
[Untitled
[Untitled
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1935. Library of Congress
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
[Untitled
[Untitled
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1935. Library of Congress
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky, attending a creek baptizing by submersion
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Cecil and Bet Ison (and little friends) at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Cecil and Bet Ison (and little friends) at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Two-room school house near Morehead, Kentucky. In these mountain areas the school term begins in June and goes through January, because in the late winter and spring months the weather is so severe and roads so bad and children's' clothing is too inadequate
Two-room school house near Morehead, Kentucky. In these mountain areas the school term begins in June and goes through January, because in the late winter and spring months the weather is so severe and roads so bad and children's' clothing is too inadequate
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Rural mailman who has brought the mail to the crossroads transfers letters and packages to another postman's saddlebags. This rider takes the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagon or car can go. In the mountains section near Morehead, Kentucky
Rural mailman who has brought the mail to the crossroads transfers letters and packages to another postman's saddlebags. This rider takes the mail further up the side road and creek beds where no wagon or car can go. In the mountains section near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Celebrated sculptor Sam McKinney (and friend) relax near one of Mr. McKinney's creations in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Celebrated sculptor Sam McKinney (and friend) relax near one of Mr. McKinney's creations in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Modern log house under construction near Morehead, Kentucky
Modern log house under construction near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Overcrowded conditions in a rural school near Morehead, Kentucky
Overcrowded conditions in a rural school near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
One of the astounding, even disturbing, sculptures by Marvin (Marc) Francis at the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
One of the astounding, even disturbing, sculptures by Marvin (Marc) Francis at the Kentucky Folk Art Center, inside the old Morehead Grocery Co. Building in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Scene at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Scene at a most unusual folk-art installation, the "Home for Wayward Babydolls" in the Rowan County, Kentucky rural settlement of Elliottsville, near Morehead
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church, after services, going to attend a creek baptizing. Morehead, Kentucky
Members of the Primitive Baptist Church, after services, going to attend a creek baptizing. Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
Prosperous farmer's home near Morehead, Kentucky
Prosperous farmer's home near Morehead, Kentucky
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1940. Library of Congress
This small brewhouse of the Sawstone Brewing Co. in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky, is more unusual than it looks
This small brewhouse of the Sawstone Brewing Co. in Morehead, a community in northeastern Kentucky, is more unusual than it looks
Highsmith, Carol M, 2020. Library of Congress
[Untitled
[Untitled
Wolcott, Marion Post, 1935. Library of Congress

Places on the National Register

14

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Brushy Voting House No. 6building199898000340
Cranston Voting House No. 12building199898000344
Downtown Morehead Historic Districtdistrict2022100006264
Farmers Voting House No. 2building199898000337
Haldeman Voting House No. 8building199898000342
Hayes Voting House No. 16building199898000346
Hogtown Voting House No. 4building199898000338
Morehead Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Freight Depotbuilding201616000013
Morehead State Universitydistrict199494001381
Morehead Voting House No. 10building199898000343
Morehead Voting House No. 7building199898000341
Pine Grove Voting House No. 5building199898000339
Plank Voting House No. 15building199898000345
Rowan County Courthousebuilding201783002862

The county from the air

27 shown

Flown by the U.S. Geological Survey between 1937 and 1989, the Aerial Photo Single Frames collection is the definitive mid-century view of the land: fields, roads and rivers as the camera saw them. The Survey holds 1,025 frames inside the rectangle that bounds this county; the 27 frames below were taken over the county itself, chosen across the decades of flights (at most four a year from that rectangle), so one flight cannot crowd out the rest. The full set is free to browse and download at EarthExplorer under the dataset Aerial Photo Single Frames.

U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1947-04-23, scale 1:24000
1947-04-23, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-04-03, scale 1:24000
1948-04-03, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-04-03, scale 1:24000
1948-04-03, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-04-03, scale 1:24000
1948-04-03, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1948-04-03, scale 1:24000
1948-04-03, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-06-01, scale 1:23600
1950-06-01, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-06-01, scale 1:23600
1950-06-01, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-06-01, scale 1:23600
1950-06-01, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1950-06-01, scale 1:23600
1950-06-01, scale 1:23600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-04-13, scale 1:60000
1960-04-13, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-04-13, scale 1:60000
1960-04-13, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-04-13, scale 1:60000
1960-04-13, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1960-04-13, scale 1:60000
1960-04-13, scale 1:60000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-03-29, scale 1:24000
1961-03-29, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1961-03-29, scale 1:24000
1961-03-29, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-10-08, scale 1:24000
1969-10-08, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-10-08, scale 1:24000
1969-10-08, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-10-08, scale 1:24000
1969-10-08, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1969-10-08, scale 1:24000
1969-10-08, scale 1:24000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1973-05-05, scale 1:9600
1973-05-05, scale 1:9600. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-04-05, scale 1:78000
1975-04-05, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-04-05, scale 1:78000
1975-04-05, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-04-05, scale 1:78000
1975-04-05, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.
U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph, 1975-04-05, scale 1:78000
1975-04-05, scale 1:78000. U.S. Geological Survey aerial photograph.

Weather records

9 stations, 3 gages

The thermometers that kept this county's weather, and the gages that measured the flow of its streams, as the federal records hold them. The extremes below are measured values from those records, not estimates.

The 1950 census, district by district

15 districts

Who lived here in 1950, one enumeration district at a time, as the Census Bureau described each district. Each row opens its official National Archives result, with Population Schedules and ED Maps available there.

  • 103-1Magisterial District 1, Morehead: Morehead city: Morehead city - That part Bounded by City limits; City limits; City limits, Main; Oxley Branch
  • 103-2Morehead city - That part Bounded by City limits; Oxley Branch City limits; City limits
  • 103-3Morehead city - That part Bounded by Main; City limits; City limits; Oxley Branch
  • 103-4Magisterial District 1, Morehead - That part north of Christy Creek and Triplett Creek, and west of U.S. Hwy. 60, Morgan Fork Rd., Clack Mt. West Rd. and Lick Fork Rd., outside Morehead city
  • 103-5Magisterial District 1, Morehead - That part south of Triplett Creek and Christy Creek, north of Clack Mountain East Rd. and east of Lick Fork Rd., Clack Mountain West Rd., Morgan Fork Rd. and U.S. Hwy. 60, outside Morehead city
  • 103-6Magisterial District 1, Morehead - That part south of Clack Mountain East Rd.
  • 103-7Magisterial District 2, Farmers: Magisterial District 2, Farmers - That part north of Scott Creek
  • 103-8Magisterial District 2, Farmers - That part south of Scott Creek
  • 103-9Magisterial District 3, Hogtown: Magisterial District 3, Hogtown - That part northwest of Chesapeake and Ohio Rwy.
  • 103-10Magisterial District 3, Hogtown - That part southeast of Chesapeake and Ohio Rwy. and north of Reartown - Elliottville Rd. and State Hwy. 32
  • 103-11Magisterial District 3, Hogtown - That part south of State Hwy. 32 and Reartown - Elliottville Rd.
  • 103-12Magisterial District 4, Pine Grove: Magisterial District 4, Pine Grove - That part north of Triplet - Grayson Rd. via Triplet P.0. and State Hwy. 377: east of Rock Fork Rd. and Waltz - Ryan Rd. via Island Fork School
  • 103-13Magisterial District 4, Pine Grove - That part southeast of State Hwy. 377 and Triplet Grayson Rd. via Triplet P.O.; east of Rodburn - Cranston Rd.
  • 103-14Magisterial District 4, Pine Grove - That part west of Waltz - Ryan Rd. via Island Fork School, Rock Fork Rd. and State Hwy. 377, and east of Big Brushy Creek
  • 103-15Magisterial District 4, Pine Grove - That part west of Big Brushy Creek; east of State Hwy. 377 and west of Rodburn - Cranston Rd.

Wildfire, 1992 to 2020

270 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 270 of them, burning about 4,061 acres. 3 started naturally and 49 were recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning86
Missing data/not specified/undetermined62
Arson/incendiarism49
Recreation and ceremony41
Railroad operations and maintenance8
Equipment and vehicle use6
Power generation/transmission/distribution6
Misuse of fire by a minor5
Fireworks3
Natural3
Smoking1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. One of them was set deliberately.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
16 April 2010Power generation/transmission/distribution1,102 acresDaniel Boone National ForestCLAYLICK
6 April 2010Recreation and ceremony304 acresKentucky Division of ForestrySEAS BRANCH
16 April 2001Power generation/transmission/distribution152 acresDaniel Boone National ForestLAKEVIEW
6 April 1999Missing data/not specified/undetermined146 acresDaniel Boone National ForestISLAND FORK
31 March 2015Arson/incendiarism127 acresDaniel Boone National ForestRODBURN HOLLOW
12 April 2001Missing data/not specified/undetermined110 acresKentucky Division of Forestrynot named
18 March 2019Equipment and vehicle use108 acresDaniel Boone National ForestLOCKEGEE
21 September 2007Fireworks95 acresDaniel Boone National ForestDARK HOLLOW

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1967 to 2025

60 of 283 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 283 reports for this county, causing 3 deaths, 14 injuries and about $3,127,400 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Thunderstorm Wind165
Flash Flood48
Hail43
Flood14
Heavy Rain5
Funnel Cloud4
Tornado2
Lightning2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 2000LightningFarmers1 killed, 1 hurtA family of three including the mother, father, and infant daughter lived in a mobile home and had gone to their relatives' home to seek shelter in the basement. The family was struck by lightning outside between the car and home when the father died. The 2 month old infant received a minor head contusion and scratches after her father was struck and killed by lightning with the infant in his arms. The mother was not injured.
September 2018FloodMorehead1 killed, $200,000Several vehicles were submerged in water in Morehead, including police cruisers. Several roads were closed due to water covering them from overflowing creeks and streams. Additionally, a nine year old boy was swept into a culvert by flood waters near Morehead. His body was found a week later in the Triplett Creek area.
May 2022Flash FloodSharkey1 killedAccording to an article from LEX18 news in Lexington: Kentucky State Police say they were first called out in reference to a drowning on Bullfork Road in Rowan County. They say an 80-year-old man tried to cross a swollen tributary in a utility vehicle. He got out of the vehicle and tried to get to the other side of the tributary. While crossing, troops say he was swept away in the current. He was rescued and taken to the regional medical center, where he was pronounced dead.
May 1995Thunderstorm WindClearfield12 hurt, $500,000Considerable damage East through town. Buildings and homes were damaged. Twelve people received minor injuries across the county.
April 1991Thunderstorm Windnot stated1 hurtno account filed
May 1995Thunderstorm WindFarmers$500,000Several barns leveled. The True Value and Dollar General stores received extensive damage.
February 2000Flash FloodCountywide$350,000Training effects from thunderstorms brought several hours of very heavy rains to the county. A home was severly damaged by a mud and rock slide. A furniture store had extensive damage due to flooding on Triplett Creek. Several roads received damage due to flooding across the county as well.
March 1997Flash FloodMorehead$350,000no account filed
May 1990Tornado (F1)not stated$250,000no account filed
July 2015Flash FloodHaldeman$160,000Severe flash flooding occurred on Hayes Branch of Triplett Creek in Rowan County along US 60E northeast of Morehead where a CoCoRaHS observer measured 2.02 of rain in 30 minutes. This caused extensive flooding of around 150 residences. Swift water rescues were performed to rescue two individuals from their vehicle which stalled in flood waters on US 60E.
July 2017FloodHays Crossing$75,000Law enforcement reported the continuation of numerous water rescues and stranded motorists as heavy rains came to an end. Water also continued to infiltrate homes prior to the flood waters receding later in the night.
July 2017Flash FloodWaltz$50,000Dispatch reported over 30 water rescues, mainly due to motorists becoming stranded by quickly rising flood waters over roadways. Buffalo Branch overflowed its banks, causing water to enter homes along Buffalo Branch Road northeast of Morehead.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindMorehead$50,000Numerous trees and power lines were blown down in Morehead.
August 2003Flash FloodMorehead$50,000Numerous homes were inundated with water in Coppers Hollow and a nearby road was impassable due to high water.
June 1996Flash FloodMorehead$50,000no account filed
April 2024Thunderstorm WindRamey$45,000A large and empty farm silo along KY-1722, near the intersection with KY-211, sustained wind damage to the west side. The wind hit the silo and indented it, making it look like it took a punch. No other debris or damage was noted in the area.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindSharkey$25,000A house on the west side of Shawnee Drive, near the intersection with KY-158, sustained considerable damage when strong easterly winds struck the chimney on the southwest side. The chimney collapsed into the roof structure, losing it's stone faade. In addition, a metal garage (located on the north side of the house) sustained damage to the east facing large garage door. The garage door had been removed at time of survey. Meanwhile, the house next door (north of above-mentioned house/west side of the street) received siding damage to the south-facing side of the house, and had it's AC unit flipped over on the same side. The house across the street also sustained a broken window, and missing shingles/flashing.
May 2020Flash FloodMorehead$25,000Rowan County Dispatch reported numerous instances of flash flooding south of Morehead. This includes near the Lockegee Rock area where a tree was downed due to flowing water. This caused a vehicle to become trapped by water prior to all occupants being rescued. Additionally, a tree downed by flowing water fell onto power lines, subsequently leading to an apartment fire closer to Morehead.
July 2021Thunderstorm WindHaldeman$20,000A well constructed barn was destroyed by what was determined to be straight line wind damage just north of the community of Haldeman. The barn was on a knob and in an exposed location. The roof was blown off, and the sides then collapsed.
June 2004Flash FloodMorehead$20,000Tripplett Creek was flowing into several houses. Kentucky Highway 519 was closed due to high water about six miles south of Morehead.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindRamey$15,000A large pine tree was uprooted in front of a house on Bluebank Road, just north of the intersection with Ramey Ridge Road. The tree fell southward, hitting the front porch of the house. The extent of the damage is unknown.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindRamey$15,000Numerous trees were broken or snapped along KY-211 just SE of Linville Road. In addition, an older mobile home (possibly vacant) on the east side of the road sustained visible damage.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindRamey$15,000The side and top of a barn was blown off along KY-1722 near the Licking River. Most of the debris was blown eastward across the road and into the trees across the street. In addition, numerous trees behind the barn and along the river received broken limbs as the wind came through.
July 2019Flash FloodHays Crossing$15,000Dispatch reported several streets in Morehead becoming inundated with flowing flood waters, including Kentucky Highways 32 and 1167, forcing their closure. St. Claire Regional Medical Center and the Morehead Police Station had water move into them, but medical and 911 services went uninterrupted. Rainfall amounts for the day totaled 3 to 4 inches, with the majority of this occurring within a couple of hours during the late afternoon.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindMorehead$15,000Extensive damage occurred to trees and residential structures 1 mile west of Morehead due to thunderstorm wind gusts.
March 2012Thunderstorm WindTriplett$15,000A barn was destroyed by thunderstorm wind gusts in Triplett.
May 2008Thunderstorm WindMorehead$15,000Numerous trees were blown down on Highway 377.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindMorehead$15,000Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm wind gusts. One tree fell onto a home and another onto a powerline.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindMorehead$15,000Strong winds flipped over a recreational vehicle and moved a building off of its foundation.
May 2020Flash FloodFarmers$11,000Local media and dispatch relayed reports of flowing water on several roads in Farmers, with some of this nearing homes. Farther northeast near Bluestone, Hungry Hollow Road was reported to have been closed due to flowing flood waters.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindSharkey$10,000Several points of damage located along KY-158 just past Shawnee Drive. A wooden barn had it's barn door broken, along with peeling roof panels. A large hardwood tree was also uprooted on the property. Across the street, to the south, a house lost it's downspout. The County EM also informed that another house in this vicinity lost a front porch column in the storm, but it had since been put back in place.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindSharkey$10,000A metal barn/garage located on KY-158 near Flemingsburg Road sustained wind damage. Metal sheets from the barn were throw eastward, including roofing, flashing, and side panels.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindSharkey$10,000A metal barn behind a house on Shawnee Drive had a door and panels blown out on the north side. The team was unable to see the remainder of the back of the barn from their location. It also appeared as though the house, located east of the barn, had some windows blown out on the garage doors, however it is unclear if the damage occurred from the storm.
April 2024Thunderstorm WindHilda$10,000A roof was blown off a storage building near the community of Hilda.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindHaldeman$10,000Trees were blown down in Haldeman.
July 2000Flash FloodMorehead$10,000Flash flooding washed out road at Nickel's Branch. Residents of two trailers evacuated by rescue squad, no injuries reported. First floor of city office building flooded.
March 1997Flash FloodMorehead$10,000no account filed
July 2012Thunderstorm WindMorehead$8,000An 18 to 24 inch diameter red oak was snapped off and lying on some fiber optic line, causing a telephone pole to break.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindMorehead$8,000Downed power lines were reported.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindMorehead$8,000Downed power lines were reported.
June 2011Thunderstorm WindMorehead$6,000Trees were blown down and onto Nichols Branch and Riddle Fork Roads in the Dry Creek community.
June 2012Thunderstorm WindCranston$5,000Numerous trees were blown down on Rock Fork Road and Highway 377.
April 2012Flash FloodGates$5,000Up to a foot of water was flowing over portions of Hwy 60 due to Triplett Creek being out of its banks. There were also evacuations in the Gates community and water flooded a home off Tunnel Cut Loop Road in Haldeman.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindMorehead$5,000Power lines were blown down in Morehead.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindElliottville$5,000Trees were reported to have been blown down in the Dry Creek community.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindCranston$5,000Trees were blown down on State Route 377 at Pond Lick Road.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindTriplett$5,000A couple of 8 inch diameter locust trees and several large limbs were blown down.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindLick Fork$5,000Trees were blown down onto Highway 801 at Cave Run Lake by wind gusts estimated at 61 mph.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindElliottville$5,000Trees were blown down onto Highway 32 by wind gusts estimated at 61 mph.
January 2008Thunderstorm WindHamm$5,000Highway 1167 was blocked by fallen trees that were blown down by winds estimated at 61 mph.
June 2007Thunderstorm WindMorehead$5,000Large 10000 to 12000 cinder block wall blown over at a Wal Mart construction site.
November 2007Thunderstorm WindMorehead$5,000A few trees were blown down in the southern half of the county.
May 2004Thunderstorm WindMorehead$5,000Trees and power lines were down.
July 2004Thunderstorm WindSharkey$5,000A tin roof blew off of a horse barn. Several trees were down on Highway 158.
May 1997Flash FloodElliottville$5,000Flash flooding occurred along Christy Creek in eastern Rowan County. People had to be evacuated in the Elliotville area.
December 2019FloodBluestone$4,000Local media and dispatch reported water on Bluestone Road near Lakeview Heights, as well as flooding on Kentucky Highway 1722 near old U.S. Highway 60 close to Farmers.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindCranston$4,000Trees were blown down northwest of Cranston.
July 2011Thunderstorm WindFarmers$4,000Trees were blown down.
July 2000Thunderstorm WindMorehead$4,000Trees and power poles down across northern part of county.
December 2019FloodHilda$3,500The county Emergency Manager reported flooding on Kentucky Highway 377 near Munson and on Big Woods Road near Hilda.

Mines and quarries

9 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 9 workings inside this county. None of them still produces: all are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Clay7
Stone, Crushed/Broken2

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Plant C MineStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Plant K MineStone, Crushed/BrokenPast Producer
Clay Heirs MineClayPast Producer
Cogswell-Fultz MineClayPast Producer
Eastside Roadcut Clay BedClayProspect
Ellitoville GullyClayProspect
Patties Lick Strip MineClayUnknown
Sweetnam MineClayPast Producer
W.T. Caudill Strip MineClayUnknown

Every populated place in the county

29

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on. The 1 place that was also surveyed for fire insurance comes first, with the number of atlases and photographs held for them.

The vanished settlements of Rowan County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Recorded here

Morehead, Kentucky

11 topographic sheets and 4 fire insurance atlases, 1908 to 1941

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.