History of Harrodsburg & the Surrounding Frontier

Founded in 1774, Harrodsburg is celebrated as the first permanent English settlement in Kentucky and the cradle of frontier expansion in the Trans‑Appalachian West. From its earliest days, the region was dotted with fortified stations, blockhouses, and small defensive communities built to protect settlers from frontier dangers. Many of these sites stood within just a few miles of Fort Harrod, forming a protective network of early Kentucky pioneers.

Below is a curated list of documented early stations and fortified sites within approximately 10 miles of Fort Harrod, supported by historical references.

  1. Bowman’s Station (6 miles east of Harrodsburg) - Founded in 1779 by Col. Abram Bowman and approximately 30 families, this station served as a substantial fortified settlement east of Harrodsburg. Its proximity made it one of the closest major defensive sites supporting the Harrodstown community.
  2. William McAfee’s Station / Round Ridge (within Harrodsburg area limits) - Built in 1779 by William and Rebecca Curry McAfee, this station was part of a 1773 land survey and functioned as a defensive post in frontier Mercer County. The site later became the property of Joseph Morgan, who built Round Ridge on the station’s land in 1817.  Address: 1060 Industry Road, Harrodsburg — placing it well within a few miles of Fort Harrod.
  3. McAfee Station (Mercer County, near Harrodsburg) - Established by the McAfee brothers (Robert, James Jr., George) along with James McCoun Jr. and Samuel Adams, this station traces its roots to explorations beginning in 1773 and a return to settle permanently in 1775. Located in present‑day Mercer County, it was near Harrodsburg and part of the earliest settlement activity in the region.
  4. Boiling Spring Settlement (in Mercer County, near or in Harrodsburg) - Recorded in 1775 as one of the four “settlements” represented in the short‑lived Transylvania legislative body at Boonesboro, Boiling Spring lay near or within Harrodsburg. While not always classified as a formal station, it was a recognized frontier settlement and one of the earliest communities in the region.

 

Why These Stations Mattered

These frontier stations formed the lifelines of early Kentucky:

  • Safety: Stations served as small forts where families clustered together for protection.
  • Supply & Communication: Close proximity to Harrodstown meant vital trade, supply routes, and shared labor.
  • Expansion: These stations became launching points for further exploration and settlement of the Bluegrass region.
  • Community: Many families who settled at these stations became the founders of long‑standing Mercer County lineages.

Together, Harrodsburg and its nearby frontier posts created a dense pocket of settlement that accelerated Kentucky’s transformation from wilderness to Commonwealth.