Estill Springs was the site of mineral springs visited by Boone, Boyle, McAfee, and other pioneers, an early camp of Shawnee Indians, and the location of the first school of the early settlers. It operated as a resort from 1814 until the hotel burned in 1924. In 1861, owner Col. Sidney M. Barnes organized the 8th Ky. Inf. Vol., USA here, and the place was used as a recruiting station and camp. Morgan's men later held several reunions here, including the last.