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The Mine Lick Community

The mouth of Mine Lick Creek, near the community of the same name, appeared to have been a favorite area among Native Americans or the cultures known as the Mound Builders. An excavation performed there indicated continuous habitation for more than 1500 years. As for more recent history, we know the Herrin family was among the first settlers. David Herrin, Sr. lived in the area as early as 1811. One year later, Henry Burton called Mine Lick home along with the Jefferson Dyer family. A school was built, named Herrin School (aka Sweet Betsy). The school at the lower end of Mine Lick was the Bridge School. The teacher there in 1940 was Mrs. Vinnie Murdock. One attraction to Mine Lick was a saltpeter cave, which is a main ingridient in gunpowder. In 1821, Richard Herrin purchased land near Mine Lick at the mouth of the cave. By 1850, John Barr had also bought land in the area and pursued the occupation.

Mine Lick had a Primitive Baptist Church with only 16 members in 1853. Henry Burton was the pastor, and died in 1853. The church is believed to have dwindled away after Burton's passing.