Station 6

6. Lookout Point

Strategic Sentinel of the Salt River Valley – 1861–1862

Perched atop the steep escarpment of Muldraugh Hill, this natural vantage point offered Union forces a commanding view over the Salt River and Ohio River valleys. In late 1861, General William Tecumseh Sherman ordered the construction of Fort Duffield just below this ridge to protect vital Union supply lines.

From this elevation, Union troops monitored troop movements, guarded steamboat landings, and secured wagon routes delivering supplies from Louisville to southern training camps. The 9th Michigan Infantry, under Colonel William W. Duffield, built the fort and bridges that made West Point a logistical lifeline.

Though never attacked directly, Fort Duffield and the lookout above it played a quiet but crucial role in preserving Union control of Kentucky—an essential goal of President Lincoln, who famously said, “I hope to have God on my side, but I must have Kentucky.”

The lookout point at Muldraugh Hill near West Point, Kentucky offers one of the most striking natural vantage points in the region. This area is part of the Muldraugh Hill escarpment, a dramatic geological formation that separates the Bluegrass region from the Pennyrile Plateau. The steep climb from West Point up to the town of Muldraugh along U.S. Route 31W (Dixie Highway) showcases the elevation change—rising nearly 350 feet in just a few miles.

 What Makes the Lookout Special

Panoramic Views: From the top of Muldraugh Hill, you can see sweeping views of the Salt River valley, Fort Knox woodlands, and the Ohio River basin on clear days.

Historical Significance: The ridge was strategically important during the Civil War and remains close to Fort Duffield, a Union fort built to protect the Louisville & Nashville Railroad and supply lines.

Scenic Drive: The ascent up the hill is especially beautiful in autumn, with vibrant foliage, or in spring, when redbuds and dogwoods bloom