Explorers & Pioneers

The asterisk (*) symbol next to a name means that the individual was not born in Kentucky.

Daniel Boone* (1734-1820) Famous hunter and explorer who founded Fort Boonesborough in Kentucky. 

Kit Carson (1809-1868) Famous western explorer and military commander. Born in Richmond, Kentucky.

George Rogers Clark* (1752-1818) Military leader who fought to defend the Kentucky frontier.

William Clark* (1770-1838) Younger brother of George Rogers Clark; accompanied Meriwether Lewis on the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition to the West.

Floyd Collins (1887-1925) Famous cave explorer who discovered Crystal Cave near Mammoth Cave.

James Harrod* (1742-1793) Frontiersman and founder of Fort Harrodsburg, the first permanent settlement in Kentucky.

Captain John “Jack” Jouett* (1754-1822) Rode to warn Thomas Jefferson and other prominent founders about the British plan to capture them.  Known as the Paul Revere of the South.

Simon Kenton* (1755-1836) Frontiersman, explorer, and soldier for Daniel Boone and George Rogers Clark.

Dr. Thomas Walker* (1715-1794) Led the first documented expedition through the Cumberland Gap.