The Old Kentucky Road
The Old Kentucky Road was first opened in 1806, it ran from Monticello, Ky. to Huntsville, Alabama, then in Indian territory.  Entering Tennessee near Celina, it passed through Cookeville (Putnam County), entering White County near Hamptons Crossroads (currently this is highway #136), Saylors Crossroads, Bakers Crossroads, crossed highway #70 at the O.T. Jones farm, Shady Grove, Yateston, Mount Pisgah, Walling, and crossed into Warren County at Rock Island, Viola and Winchester, Tennessee, this was the main or immigrant route through Middle Tennessee into Huntsville Alabama. [“Heritage of White County [TN] (1806-1999)”, p. 3]

Recollections of James McGiboney
In speaking of the Old Kentucky Road, Mr. McGiboney said that going north and after crossing Falling Water Creek, it bore off to the right to Algood and another branch turned left to Cookeville.  Going south across Caney Fork River it followed the present McMinnville Road (US 70S) to the Red Store (Junction of US 70S and #30 Hwy. to Spencer) and left US 70S, crossing Collins River at Shell's Ford.  It passed on to Viola and the Elk River and south to Alabama.  In the early days it was used for transporting mules and slaves from Kentucky to the Alabama and Mississippi plantations.