The Elk Antler

The Fort Boonesborugh Foundation is proud to display this 18th century elk antler. It was donated in 2017 by Janice B. Langston and her daughter Andra Gyor. The Antler is in a special case in the fort store.

It was the task of the foundation to examine the antler and learn as much as possible about it. With the help of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation the antler was carbon dated and proven to be of an elk of that time period. Although elk have been reintroduced to Kentucky in recent years they are of a different subspecies than the 18th century extinct elk.

Discovering anything about the D. Boone carving is more difficult. Experts say it is impossible to prove. But the importance of the name is that because of it, the antler that would have otherwise been lost to the elements, was preserved by the Fisher family.

The antler was found in Bourbon County, Kentucky near Hinkston Creek This is an area Daniel Boone was known to have traveled many times during his years in Kentucky.