A Final Resting Place for the McCoys
Explore the graves of the McCoy family and learn how this peaceful cemetery became a part of their story after the feud.
Historic Dils Cemetery
Situated at the mouth of Chloe Creek and the By-Pass Road in Pikeville, Kentucky, the Dils Cemetery stands as a testament to the region’s rich and inclusive history. Established in 1871 by Col. John Dils, Jr., this cemetery was once part of a sprawling tract of land that stretched for miles up Chloe Creek. Although Col. Dils sold most of the property, he kept the cemetery in his family’s hands, preserving it for generations to come.
Initially containing graves from the Syck family, the cemetery grew when Col. Dils reserved a spot on the knoll for his own family and welcomed others to be buried there. Today, Dils Cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Hatfield-McCoy Feud Historic District, and it features the graves of prominent figures like Randolph McCoy—the head of the McCoy clan—his wife, Sarah, and their children, Roseanna and Sam.
Dils Cemetery also has a proud distinction as the first known integrated cemetery in Eastern Kentucky. Col. Dils allowed his freed slaves and their descendants to be buried alongside his family and neighbors, reflecting a spirit of equality that was rare for the time.
Visitors to the cemetery will find the final resting places of:
- Col. John Dils, Jr., leader of the Union’s 39th Kentucky Infantry
- Lewis Dils, Pikeville’s first postmaster
- Frank Waller, a Black man who migrated to Pike County after the Civil War and served as Stonewall Jackson’s aide
- Soldiers from the French and Indian War, Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish-American War, and World War I
- Mary Dils, the first woman in Pike County to graduate from college
- The wife of Tobias J. Kendrick, principal of Pikeville Collegiate Institute and founder of Pikeville High School in 1912
The cemetery is open year-round, offering visitors a solemn journey through history. To visit, park at the end of the lot by the Pikeville Fire Department at the intersection of Chloe Rd. and the By-Pass, then take the steps up Chloe Rd., cross the road, and climb the steps to reach the cemetery.
For additional information or directions, call the Pikeville-Pike County, KY Welcome Center at 606-432-5063 or toll-free at 1-800-844-7453.
