Two miles east on Lynn Camp Creek, John Courts built the first commercial gunpowder mill in the State of Kentucky in 1811-12. Located near two large springs that furnished power to grind the charcoal made on site, the mill mixed it with saltpeter and sulphur. The finer product became rifle powder, and the coarser product was used for cannon and blasting powder. Its output was used in the War of 1812 through the period of the Civil War.