Big Bone Boat Dock

Big Bone Boat Dock




Avi Hathor, M. S., M. F. A.






The Boone County Fiscal Court Tuesday, 7 Oct 1969, at the regular meeting, considered a proposal from Gordon Martin to operate the Big Bone Landing Boat Ramp. This is located on 27.27 acres of land on Big Bone Creek, just below where it is joined by Mud Lick Creek. It is accessible by Boat Dock Road (State Route 1925), which ends in the water, and is also accessible from Ryle Road, which is county maintained. The plan was to operate the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers boat launching ramp under a "lease-back" arrangement with the county in which the county would maintain possession of the 30-acre area. Charles Dunn, Mr. Martin's attorney, outlined the proposal. Magistrate Charles M. Patrick, suggested a meeting at the site with the court and Mr. Martin. This was accepted by County Judge Bruce Ferguson. The 30-acre Corps of Engineers tract had not been maintained and was overgrown with weeds. The land was covered with briars and trash. The launching ramp was dirty and covered with mud from the rise and fall of the water, and the creek abounded in snags. It was hazardous to boaters who were not familiar with Big Bone and Mud Lick Creeks. The Corps of Engineers was to make the launching ramp available to the county at no cost under the terms of the proposed agreement. "The only service which the county can offer is launching the boats, and no charge can be made for this service under the terms of a proposed leasing agreement with the Corps," said Judge Ferguson, who added that under this agreement the corps of engineers would permit operation of the ramp by the county only if there is not profit involved, and that any monies derived from the operation cannot be placed in the county's general fund.

According to the proposal made by Mr. Martin, he would lease back the launching ramp facilities from the county for a 30-year period, which would expire in 1999. Boats would be launched from the ramp without any charge, as before. The lease would be for $1 a year, which is what the county would pay the Corps of Engineers under the proposed agreement. Mr. Martin would also maintain the channel and keep it safe for boaters. He would give the county a place for a baseball diamond, a picnic area, and additional parking. He would also construct more gravel roads along the creek, and maintain and keep the boat ramp clean. In exchange for the use of the facilities he would put in concession stands, maintain a fuel service for boats, and keep the weeds and grass mowed. He would maintain "wet water" docking facilities along the creek for boats and perhaps dry dock boat storage facilities, and maintain liability insurance.

Source Materials

Boone County Recorder "Fiscal Court Discusses Boat Ramp" 9 Oct 1969 p. 1, cols. 7-8.
Boone County GIS mapping.