Proctor, Kentucky

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Proctor
settlement_type = Unincorporated community
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map_caption = Location of Proctor, Kentucky


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Kentucky
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Lee
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established_date2 = Proctor, 1848
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timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 37 |latm = 34 |lats = 12 |latNS = N
longd = 083 |longm = 42 |longs = 50 |longEW = W
elevation_m = 251
elevation_ft = 823
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 41311
area_code = 606
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Proctor is an unincorporated community in Lee County, Kentucky, United States. It lies along Route 11 south of the city of Beattyville, the county seat of Lee County. Proctor is also located near the beginning point of the Kentucky River. There are three tributaries which combine near Beattyville and Proctor; the North Fork of the Kentucky River, the Middle Fork of the Kentucky River; and the South Fork of the Kentucky River. For this reason, many local businesses make mention of the "Three Forks".

History

After the Revolutionary War, many veterans settled in the mountains of Kentucky. One of these was Archibald D. McGuire. [cite web |url=http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Cliffs/4830/McGuire.txt|title=Descendants of James McGuire|publisher=Brawner's Bluff |date=2006-05-09 |accessdate=2008-06-09] who fought in the Battle of Tippecanoe. He came to the Three Forks area from the Boonesborough, Kentucky Settlement in 1799 and settled on what is now the James H. McIntosh farm located in Proctor Kentucky, the site of a large spring.

In 1848 the town of Proctor was established. It was named after Joseph Proctor, a companion of Daniel Boone, who traveled often in the area as a circuit preacher [cite web |url=http://www.fewpb.net/~ralphbarnes/Proctor.htm |title=Estill County's Greatest Hero |publisher=Ralph Barnes |date=2006-05-09 |accessdate=2008-06-09] . Early Proctor enterprises included hotels, groceries, carpentry, basket making, boat building, salt gathering, coal mining, timber operations, and flour milling.

The community of Proctor was originally located within Estill County, but was assigned to the Lee County area when Lee County was formed in 1870 and was the first county seat. Its post office operated from 1843 until 1918. The first court was held on April 25, 1870 in the Old Howerton House.

Samuel and Patience Kelly Beatty sold their land along the Kentucky River to encourage the establishment of a town across the river from Proctor. In 1850 "Beattyville" was chartered.

In 1862 the Proctor flour mill was burned by troops of CSA Colonel John Hunt Morgan as he attempted to stop the retreat of General George W. Morgan (USA) from Cumberland Gap.

Lee County was established as Kentucky's 115th county on March 1, 1870 from part of Owsley, Wolfe, Breathitt and Estill Counties.

Although never official announced, it was probably named for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. James Madison Beatty , the first County Attorney, and his wife Josephine, donated land in Beattyville for a courthouse and jail, and the county seat soon moved across the river to Beattyville.

Facts

Proctor is home of the first county seat of Lee County (1870) and the first Post Office within the confines of present day Lee County (Feb. 1846).

References