The Forgotten 14th Colony — Daniel Boone and the Cumberland Gap

2025-08-27

Everyone knows about America’s 13 original colonies… but did you know there was almost a 14th? In 1775, a private land deal known as The Transylvania Purchase sought to create a brand-new colony in the rugged mountains where Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee meet. Frontiersman Daniel Boone carved the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap, opening America’s first true gateway to the West. But the plan was tangled in conflict with Indigenous nations, colonial governments, and the Revolution itsel...

Everyone knows about America’s 13 original colonies… but did you know there was almost a 14th?

In 1775, a private land deal known as The Transylvania Purchase sought to create a brand-new colony in the rugged mountains where Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee meet. Frontiersman Daniel Boone carved the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Gap, opening America’s first true gateway to the West. But the plan was tangled in conflict with Indigenous nations, colonial governments, and the Revolution itself.

In this episode of Parkography, Jason explores the rise and fall of the Colony of Transylvania, the battles that defined it, and how the Cumberland Gap went from a dangerous frontier to a National Historical Park that tells the story of America’s earliest westward expansion.

Find the Slinky Stove that's right for your next adventure at: https://www.slinkystove.com/?ref=PARKography

Join the Parkography Facebook group to discuss this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkography

Check out our other channels focused on RV travel:
@RVMiles
@RVMilesPodcast

Comments (3)