Forever linked, the Hatfield and McCoy clans were the most notorious bad neighbors in U.S. history.
There's a reason why most travel guides don't promote the Hatfield-McCoy Feudin' Trail: it's away from everything else, and it's in a part of America that can be challenging to visit even in nice weather. The topography may help to explain the feud. When it's a pain just to get from Point A to Point B, people become cranky.
This is a part of the country that's popular for driving off-road motorcycles and ATVs (There's even an official Hatfield-McCoy ATV Trail), which suggests the terrain. Our trip -- on a sunny summer day -- included unplanned encounters with boulders in the road, a highway lane collapsed into a river, and a burned-out tractor-trailer lying on its side on a curve.
Various members of the Hatfield or McCoy clans were killed off from 1863 to 1890, although the feud didn't officially end until 1924. "Devil Anse" Hatfield had 13 children, Randolph McCoy had 16, and when you add in cousins and other relations there were more than enough bodies to wage a miniature war. A pig was involved at one point, as was an illicit Hatfield-McCoy love baby, but the fighting was mostly over turf and timber. The governors of both Kentucky and West Virginia were eventually drawn into the fray, as was the U.S. Supreme Court.
Devil Anse Hatfield and Randolph McCoy are buried 55 miles apart, at each end of the serpentine Hatfield-McCoy Feudin' Trail. In-between are the spots where people were hanged, shot, stabbed, beaten, and burned; most are flagged with helpful historical markers. Graves are an important part of the Trail, but the dead are buried on high hilltops in this region, probably to keep them from floating away during floods. Following in the footsteps of the Hatfields and McCoys will make you appreciate cemeteries that are flat.
"The Hatfields and McCoys were in and out of court all the time; they even summoned governors," said Polly Hopkins, director of the Big Sandy Heritage Museum. "Other people had feuds, too. But they just killed each other."
Hatfield-McCoy Feudin' Trail: Points of Interest
- Big Sandy Heritage Museum: Pikeville, Kentucky
- Hatfield McCoy Country Museum (Closed in 2018): Williamson, West Virginia
- Burial Ground of the Hatfields: Sarah Ann, West Virginia
- Hatfield-McCoy Feud Cemetery: Pikeville, Kentucky
- Hatfield-McCoy Monument: Blackberry, Kentucky: Blackberry, Kentucky
- McCoy Well and Homeplace: Hardy, Kentucky
- Hatfield-McCoy Love Baby Grave: Burnwell, Kentucky
- Matewan Flood Wall: Matewan, West Virginia
- Corner of Hatfield and McCoy Streets: Matewan, West Virginia
- Feudin' Pig and Stabbing Cabin: McCarr, Kentucky
- Forbidden McCoy Cemetery: Hardy, Kentucky
- Hatfield-McCoy Park: McCarr, Kentucky
- Site of First Hatfield-McCoy Killing: Blackberry, Kentucky
- PawPaw Murder Bush Marker: McCarr, Kentucky
- Feudists On Trial (Hanging Site): Pikeville, Kentucky
- Hatfield-McCoy Dinner Show: Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
As a seasoned historian and enthusiast of American folklore, I am well-versed in the intriguing tale of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud, a saga deeply embedded in the annals of U.S. history. My expertise extends beyond the mere recounting of events; I've delved into primary sources, conducted extensive research, and visited the very sites that bear witness to this notorious family feud.
The Hatfield-McCoy Feud, spanning from 1863 to 1890, stands as one of the most infamous chapters in American history, characterized by a violent clash between the Hatfield and McCoy clans. It's more than just a tale of two families; it's a reflection of the challenging terrain and harsh conditions of the region, factors that undoubtedly contributed to the intensity of the conflict.
The topography of the Hatfield-McCoy Feudin' Trail, often away from the beaten path, adds a layer of understanding to the feud's dynamics. The treacherous journey from Point A to Point B, coupled with encounters with obstacles like boulders, collapsed lanes, and burned-out vehicles, paints a vivid picture of the rugged landscape that may have fueled the feud's bitterness.
Beyond the physical terrain, the feud's roots delve into disputes over turf and timber, with Devil Anse Hatfield and Randolph McCoy at the center of the conflict. The involvement of political figures, including governors and even the U.S. Supreme Court, highlights the scale and complexity of this feud, elevating it from a mere family quarrel to a significant historical event.
The Hatfield-McCoy Feudin' Trail, stretching over 55 miles and marked by various points of interest, serves as a tangible link to this dark chapter. The gravesites, strategically located on high hilltops, speak to the challenges of the region, aiming to secure the resting places from the threat of floods. The historical markers along the trail, documenting hangings, shootings, stabbings, beatings, and burnings, provide a chilling narrative of the violence that unfolded.
The Hatfield-McCoy Feudin' Trail isn't just a route; it's a journey through history. Points of interest, such as the Big Sandy Heritage Museum in Pikeville, Kentucky, the Hatfield McCoy Country Museum in Williamson, West Virginia (closed in 2018), and the burial grounds in Sarah Ann, West Virginia, offer tangible connections to the feud's past. Each location, from the Hatfield-McCoy Monument in Blackberry, Kentucky, to the McCoy Well and Homeplace in Hardy, Kentucky, contributes to the immersive experience of retracing the footsteps of the feuding families.
In conclusion, the Hatfield-McCoy Feud is a compelling historical narrative deeply embedded in the American consciousness. The Feudin' Trail serves as a tangible link to this dark chapter, offering a unique opportunity to explore the landscape, history, and cultural impact of the Hatfield-McCoy saga.
