The History of Pine Knot
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Submitted by Peggy Wilson
An Act of creating the county of McCreary
Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) was an agency of the United States Government, 1933-42. Throughout the area, these young men planted trees, built roads, bridges, and schools. In Pine Knot, sidewalks were “laid” for two miles beginning at the now intersection of Hwy 92 and 27, and ended at the Pine Knot Depot.
The Pine Knot Depot
(If walls could talk what stories this special place could tell) The depot was built in 1912 and was the social hub in the early years of the town of Pine Knot. The “Royal Palm” and Trains # 15 & 16 were much anticipated events for local citizens. There were four (4) major railroad crossings. The Pine Knot Depot crossing was the more well known. The Royal Palm did not stop at Pine Knot depot unless a very special passenger was on board. Daniel “Dan” Strunk was the “stationmaster,” or Depot Agent. Passenger trains stopped twice a day to take on passengers and unload freight. Dave Lay, another Depot employee, with his two-wheeled cart delivered packages and mail to the post office. Mr. Lay always made sure the “depot” was spotless clean.
Sunday after church, local citizens would walk to “The Depot” and would spend the afternoon socializing, waiting on trains 15-16.
One of the many stories how
“Pine Knot”
got its name
As told to me by the late Eldred Musgrove: The story goes that a lady named Katie Branham owned and operated an “Inn” for travelers on the old toll road between Lexington and Jacksboro, Tennessee. According to tradition, travelers were charged a certain amount for corn to feed their horse, but Katie was only putting “pine knots” into the feed bucket, the sound was like ears of corn hitting the feed trough! Later, she would retrieve them so the traveler would not know the difference. When travelers became aware of this, word spread, and the inn came to be called “Katie’s Pine Knot Inn”!
After Katie’s death, it was only called “Pine Knot Inn,” thought the location of said inn has been lost to history.
“Railroad Street” was once the center of activity, but is now silent and forlorn. At the present time, there is little left of a once proud town when “steam” was king!!
Note: this history of early Pine Knot would not have been possible without the works of historians and writers L. E. Perry, Robert E. Stephens (A Lost Heritage of a Changing People), and Sam D. Perry.
The McCreary County Historical Society erected a large kiosk during our centennial year on the grounds of The Pine Knot Middle School. Histories: Governor James B. McCreary; legislator William B. Creekmore; Merchant Martin Campbell; and Whitley County Attorney; John C. Bird.
