Hatfield-McCoy Feud Sites in Pikeville, Kentucky

Looking for a unique way to spend the day along the West Virginia and Kentucky border? Why not take the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Driving Tour?

The famous feud between the Hatfield's and McCoy's is a well known part of American history. While practically everyone in America has heard of the famous feud, and it has been referenced in many popular songs, movies, television shows, and books the exact details of the feud still remain a mystery, as well as the exact reason the feud began.

Some believe the feud began when Roseanna McCoy had an affair with Johnse Hatfield, who later abandoned a pregnant Roseanna to marry his cousin Nancy McCoy in 1881. Others believe the feud began when Ellison Hatfield was murdered by Tolbert, Pharmer, and Bud McCoy in 1882. The McCoy brothers were later murdered in revenge by members of the Hatfield family. While descendants of the family now say that the feud was simply the result of disputes over land lines and water rights, which seems a plausible explanation given what facts we know about the families.

The Tug Fork, a tributary of the Big Sandy River divided the property of the two families, the Hatfield's resided on the West Virginia side of the Tug Fork, while the McCoy's resided on the Kentucky side of the Tug Fork. We also know that both families were among the first settlers in the Tug Valley, and that both families were involved in both the manufacture and sale of moonshine. During the Civil War the Hatfield's supported and served for the Union Army, and the McCoy's supported and served for the Confederate Army. Just those simple facts are enough for us to understand how this famous feud was even possible.

In 1891 the two warring families finally agreed to a truce, and ended the feud between them, although in the hearts and minds of some family members the feud is still alive today.