History of the Redbird Ranger District

Mary Breckinridge, with the help of two other nurses, opened the first clinic in Hyden, KY in 1925.  She introduced the use of trained nurse-midwives into the United States and established district nursing centers to provide healthcare to rural families.  The project became the model of unique healthcare at the National and International levels, which brought about the name change to the Frontier Nursing Service in 1928.

During the years of 1933 through 1935, Mrs. Breckinridge visited forest service officials in Washington, D.C. and corresponded with the Chief of the Forest Service, the Eastern Regional Forester, the Forest Supervisor, the Secretary of War and the Head of the National Forest Preservation Commission in an effort to have a purchase unit established in the headwaters of the Cumberland and Kentucky Rivers. Mrs. Breckinridge did not accomplish this in the 1930's, but the Redbird Purchase Unit was authorized in the mid-1960's.

   The original windows were double hung sash windows with 4 small glass panels in each window.  As you walk through the office you can tell that some of the windows still have the original glass because of the rippled imperfections.  Including the double glass panel doors in the office that used to be a sunroom.  The vault door in the maps and records room is from the original stone vault, which has been  removed.
   In the lower parking lot was Fordson building called both the Supply House and the Furnace Building.  This building was unique because the basement contained a heating plant for the Club House, and the Fordson/Peabody office building.  The steam pipes were routed under the sidewalks to the other building and they would melt the snow and ice off of the sidewalks.
    There was a Post Office located at the first level area as you drive in.  The Post Office was established in 1909 and originally called Annalee.   The name was eventually changed to Peabody.  The Post Office was closed around 1978 and the  building was moved across the river to a residence and used as a play house.
   There was also an airplane hanger, since removed, at the upper end of the field in front of the office.  The field was used as an airstrip around 1933 by Jewell Galloway, who ran the Peabody Post Office.  The barn across Little Double Creek was constructed around 1927.  It had 14 horse stalls and a full loft.