TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
History of the Potter Flats
Current Breaks Interstate Park Master Plan
Proposed Pioneer Village
Pioneer Village Map
Native American Section
Ampitheater
Potential to Draw Motion Picture Industry
What things could be done there "in-season"
What uses in the "off-season"
How would it benefit the local economy?
Access into the area
Potential for Dual Development
Conclusion
The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc. is a non-profit corporation made up of member citizens from the Elkhorn City area who are interested in the preservation of the local culture and heritage of Elkhorn City and the surrounding communities. The mission statement of the ECAHC, Inc. is attached as appendix A.
The Potter Flats was settled by the descendants of Richard Potter, who is buried at Potter's Knoll within the Breaks Interstate Park. The Potter Flats was a primitive and beautiful piece of land located at the mouth of the Breaks Canyon along the raging waters of the Russell Fork of the Big Sandy. The Potter Flats has a unique history comprised of rugged Native American Indians and pioneers. The Flats has a mystique which included hard working men and women, moonshiners, outlaws, and early frontiersmen. In fact, Daniel Boone's first steps in Kentucky were in all taken in the Breaks area and the Potter Flats in 1767.
The Potter Flats was not a mining town, although a mine did run for a short period of time in the 1940's and 50's. All homes located were cabins, not camp houses. The following photograph are of people who lived and worked in the Potter Flats. Notice the homes are all hand hewed cabins not coal mining camp houses.
CURRENT BREAKS INTERSTATE MASTER PLAN
The current master plan for development of the Potter Flats endorses the development of a mining town. Although this is a very positive step in the right direction, it is the position of the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc., that this would not be a true-to-life portrayal of the history of the Potter Flats and would compete economically with other local projects that are in later stages of development.
For instance, a mining town is currently being developed for the Stone area of Pike County. This idea is well suited for the history of that area and would conflict with the current Breaks Interstate Park Master Plan.
It would be in the best interests of the Park to develop the Potter Flats in a different manner. A pioneer village would be the proper theme for development. This would compliment other area attractions. For instance, The Mountain Homeplace in Paintsville is a 1850 - 1875 working farm. The development of a pre 1850 pioneer village in the Potter Flats would give tourist coming to Eastern Kentucky a variety of different historical options. They could see each attraction: The Mountain Homeplace, Stone Mining Community, and the Potter Flats Pioneer Village, within a weekend.
The fact that a wave pool is planned in the Potter Flats is also a concern for the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc. Although the Wave Pool is an excellent idea we think it should be placed in another area of the park or separate land acquire for it.
The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc., proposes to preserve this unique history with the development of a Pioneer or Heritage Village set in the pre 1850 time period.
Pioneer Section Pre 1850 --
The village should have some or all of the following:
Residential period Cabins
Ground Cellar
Spring House
Gunsmith Shop
Woodwright's Shop -- Wood Work -- Wagon Wheels
Tin Shop
Blacksmith Shop
Livery Stable
Grist Mill
Cane Mill
Tannery - Leather Works
Quilt, Candle & Broom Shop
Cobblers Shop, Loom & Spinning Wheel
Moonshine Still
Cider Shop
The Pioneer Village should be dynamic with period actors/guides there doing period tasks and telling stories. This would bring tourists back for more. The Pioneer Section should be a living history museum and should be historically accurate. It would also be a living history classroom for school groups.
A portion of the Plan should include the depiction of Native Americans. It is a well known fact that the Breaks area was held in reverence by both the Shawnee and Cherokee peoples.
A large amphitheater should be built with the landscape. The amphitheater could be used for outdoor drama -- Swift's Silver Mine, Civil War drama's. The amphitheater could also be used for music and Bluegrass festivals and other concerts. Below is an example of an outdoor amphitheater and the drama's that are performed.
POTENTIAL TO DRAW MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY FOR FILMING IN BREAKS AREA.
The village should be planned so that there are open fields for reenactment and use as motion picture set. This is why the Pioneer Village section should be designed to be a historically accurate and in period. This could have a major economic impact on the Pike County Area.
The site could be used for black powder shoots, mountain man gatherings, Civil War reenactment and other festivals and events.
WHAT THINGS COULD BE DONE THERE IN SEASON?
ECAHC, Inc, would suggest that a number of things be promoted at differing seasons. Kentucky is known very widely for a number of things - a kind of "name recognition." We should develop a tourist industry based on known historical associations. For instance, Daniel Boone's first step in what is now Kentucky were most likely in the Potter Flats Area. "Boone" related activities such as reenactment done by the Kentucky Long Rifle Associations and Mountain Man rondeaux could be held. As there are a number of historical associations there should be a number of calender events.
WHAT USES IN THE "OFF" SEASON?
Use as motion picture set.
Private tours.
Winter/Christmas in the County.
School Groups
Corporate retreats
ECAHC, Inc, would suggest that the development of the Potter Flats be played off the historical aspects of the area and seek to host tour groups and special interest groups. For example, there are a variety of historical time frames, i.e., early pioneer, Native American, Civil War, post Civil War, and pre industrial. We should therefore seek to work with organizations representative of these interests for mutually beneficial gatherings.
HOW WOULD IT BENEFIT LOCAL ECONOMY?
ECAHC, Inc, would encourage local enterprise to promote the historical associations. Preservation of older buildings should be encouraged. New construction should be in such a style as to promote the historical characteristics we wish to portray.
We should seek to appeal narrowly along historical associations, but at a world wide scope. We should be uniquely ourselves. We should seek to advertise widely and draw tourism form outside the Appalachian area. We should provide a novel experience - - a departure from the hectic 21st century to a time more simple and tranquil -- but also exciting.
It would be appropriate to encourage the local production of suitable items for sale to the tourist trade in cottage industries. The range of possible products is astounding. In the past, too much emphasis has been placed on junk items of little value. ECAHC, Inc., would encourage an emphasis on quality merchandise at realistic prices. Patch work quilts bought for less than $50.00 locally, sell for hundreds of in larger American cities. If tourists from those cities could be enticed to this area, those dollars would benefit the entire region and state. Moreover, the industrial base for the production of suitable products is already in existence, but largely unused. For example, there are numerous dental labs in the Appalachian region. As these produce metal dental appliances they could also produce quality jewelry in precious or semi-precious metals, in appropriate designs. The production of secondary items for a ready market would make profitable slack periods in their primary enterprise.
Also, a famous Kentucky trademark, the "Long Rifle", can be produced today just as it was 200 or more years ago. Quality rifles sell for a thousand or more dollars. The hand crafting of a Kentucky long rifle would be a most informative and interesting "living history" display as well as lucrative to the craftsman.
In an age of mass production of synthetic products "hand made" goods of quality will find a ready market in a pleasing and historically correct setting. The primary product we should endeavor to sell is the intangible: a step backward in time. The more successfully we can provide this illusion the more successful the enterprise, in all areas, including monetary.
There are multiple means of access into the area. The following are potential means of access.
1. Bridge: A bridge from Ky 80 into the Potter Flats proper
Advantages-- Cheapest route
Disadvantages --
A. This would ruin any potential for the motion picture industry because it would be to hard to hide the bridge from wide shots.
B. This would scar the beauty of the Flats area. It must be remembered that the Breaks Gorge opens up into the Flats.
2. Road from Elkhorn City
Advantages -- Would promote development of Elkhorn City.
Disadvantages -- Costs factors and flood plane in Carson Island Area.
3. Road from Bluehead Branch or Pond Branch
Advantages --
A. Would give access for the development of the Ell Flats area above the Potter Flats. The Mining Town could be placed in Ell Flats with parking lots. This would keep modern traffic off of the river and go along with keeping the pioneer section authentic for motion picture industry.
Disadvantages -- Potential Costs
Proposed best use access
Access for the best use of the area should be with a road from the Bluehead Branch and/or Pond Branch.
This could be done through a partnership with natural gas companies that currently have reserves in the Bluehead Pond area and are attempting to get access to these reserves. The gas company could cut the first part of the road for access to their wells and the state could later come in and merely improve these roads for access into the Ell Flats and Potter Flats area. This would decrease the cost of the road project and would help both the state and industry.
POTENTIAL FOR DUAL DEVELOPMENT
If the Park Commission is so inclined to build a Mining Town the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council would suggest that it be done in the Ell Flats area with access through Bluehead or Pond Branch.
This would allow for the Pioneer section to be separate. The mining town section could have parking facilities and tourist could access the pioneer village via walking trials or a narrow gauge railroad.
This would also keep heavy vehicular traffic off of the river and would be better ecologically.
Post Civil War --- Mining Town Section
Items that Could be included in Post Civil War/Mining Town Section
Bed & Breakfast - Lodge
General Store, Candy Shop/Bakery
Farmers Market Section
Crafts and Basket Section
Gardens Grow --- Livestock -- Sheep, Horses,
One Room School
Old Bank Building
Train Station
Old Church -- Could also be used for meeting place
Museum Building. In Log, Large for exhibits, would have modern facilities
The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc., urges the Breaks Interstate Parks Commission to adopt this plan. The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc, further pledges it's resources to make this plan a reality.
The Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc., believes that with the resources of Federal, State and Local Government along with the citizens of the community this plan can succeed and bring great economic impact to Elkhorn City and Pike County.
If there are any questions regarding this plan feel free to contact Timothy D. Belcher, President of the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc., at 606-754-7150 or feel free to attend the regular meeting of the Elkhorn City Area Heritage Council, Inc., on the third Thursday of every month at 7:00 P.M. at the Elkhorn City Area Senior Citizens Center on Highway 197 in Elkhorn City.
Have you got something to add, a great Elkhorn City tale or character? Drop us a line!