In the early 1780s, the spring here, first called Stewart's or Phillips' and then Brooks' Spring, was a well-known camping place on the main route from the Falls of the Ohio and Beargrass Creek to Bullitt's Lick and Harrodsburg. Revolutionary War skirmishes with settlers and British-allied American Indians made the area dangerous. On April 3, 1781, several families led by Low Dutchman James Westerfield were attacked by American Indians while camped near here. Over a dozen travelers were killed, and 2 girls were taken captive to the British at Detroit. Survivors fled to nearby Clear's Station.