EARLY HISTORY OF SPOTTSVILLE
Spottsville, in Henderson County, was first established as a precinct and voting place in 1860. However, back in 1833 before the locks were constructed at the falls there the place was called Knight’s Falls, and the only buildings on the banks were rude shacks which were owned and occupied by men who were engaged in quarrying rock.
Another name which was once given to the place now known as Spottsville was “Shanty”. It was derived from the fact that the quarrymen had built a number of shacks in which to live while they worked tock. It was afterwards known as “The Locks”.
During the year of 1850, the place took on the name of “Spottsville”. Major Spotts’ children, Harry and Jim, their wives, Mrs. Lydia McBride and Miss Lydia Scott, gave it that name in honor of its founder, Major Sam Spotts of the United States Army.
As early as 1829, Major Spotts owned most of the land lying on the Green River near the Ohio. Later, in 1833, Robert Scott, Major Spott’s brother-in-law, sank a shaft for Major Spotts. The object was to float coal to New Orleans, but misfortune overtook them and little coal reached that market.
Work on the locks at Spottsville was begun by Joseph Barbour in 1834, the stone being obtained in that neighborhood. It has been said that the stone was of such poor quality that the extreme cold weather caused it to sluff off. Consequently, it was rejected by the government inspector.
Reports say that this happened during the winter in which mice ate up the red peppers in order to keep warm.
Upon Barbour’s failure, the contract was awarded to Captain William Brown, who completed the locks and dam during the year of 1842. The stone for this work was imported by Captain Brown from Rock Island, Indiana, and was taken by boat to the place of construction.
Juring the year of 1840, Captain Brown’s towboat, the “Buck-Snatcher”, capsized in an eddy. There were several passengers on board, but only five of them were saved: Mrs. Settlemeyer, her three children, and Mrs. William Brown.
Major Samuel Spotts entered the United States Army in 1812 as a Second Lieutenant in the artillery. He served with General Jackson through the Creek and Seminole Wars and with the General at New Orleans, where Spotts was brevetted.
He was appointed to a federal position in New Orleans, but during the summer of 1833, died of cholera. He spent several summers prior to his death with his brother-in-law, Robert Scott, at the point now called Spottsville. His wife was buried in a cemetery there.
Spottsville built up its coal interests and in time became a flourishing town.
It was occupied during the War Between the States for the purpose of protecting the locks. The railroad bridge of the Henderson Route, which spans the river at Spottsville, was erected about the year 1888.
In 1931 the State of Kentucky built a bridge across the Green River for vehicular traffic.
It was made possible by the sale of bonds.
About five years ago the federal government built new locks at Spottsville, thus ushering in a new era of river transportation.
By Colonel A. Kaintuck
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