Pigeon Roost Formation
Just north of Underwood, Indiana about 1/2 mile is the famous Pigeon Roost Community.
8/7/1935, Scott County Journal
Clyde Clark and wife returned to Philo, Illinois, after visiting Mrs. Leander Broady, Mrs. Anna Henthorne and Marion cochran and wife.
Mrs. Charles Sands has returned from Illinois, after visiting relatives.
Miss Louise Harbold has returned from a visit to Indianapolis.
Cranston Collings has recovered from an attack of appendicitis.
Mrs. Katherine Beswick has recovered from a recent illness.
Everitt Bros. are having a large pond made to help furnish water for their factory, and also are making preparations to build another large warehouse.
Elwin Lewig, of New Albnay, visited his parents last week.
Taken from Scott County’s IN State Historic Markers By Melinda Comer Lowry
In 1801, much of the land north of the Ohio River belonged to the Native Americans. As white settlers began to move west, many settled and began to cut the trees, build cabins and farm this land. William Elston Collings brought his entire family from Nelson County, KY in 1809 to establish the Pigeon Roost settlement in southern Scott County. The community was located in a heavily wooded region and was situated along a little creek that is still known as Pigeon Roost. The name came from the large numbers of pigeons that would roost here in the trees. This land had been handed over by the Indians at the Treaty of Grouseland in 1805. The settlement covered several square miles south of Vienna. Marker Dedication On October 1, 1904, the State of Indiana dedicated a monument to mark the burial place and to perpetuate, in memory, the victims of the Pigeon Roost Massacre. The memorial was designed by Burgess Allen at a cost of $2000. A crowd of over 10,000 people witnessed the dedication. People came by train from all over the state for a day full of activities that included a procession, speeches, picnics, and a time to reflect. Governor Winfield T. Durbin spoke to the crowd. In his acceptance speech he said, this marker “……is a permanent reminder to future generations of the dangers and difficulties attendant upon the life of our forefathers a century ago and it emphasizes the privileges, the blessings, the opportunities, which are our heritage in the Indiana of today.” The Indiana State Seal is on the Pigeon Roost Monument. Several years ago, a plaque on the stone was stolen. In September, 2008, a new plaque was dedicated and provided by the Scott County Visitor’s Commission. In 2012, The Scott County Visitor’s Commission has placed a log cabin at the site and a stone bench. Mr. Collings brought his family to Indiana due to the terrible earthquakes in Kentucky during 1811 & 1812. (The New Madrid Fault). The descendants today, have a pitch – in picnic, each year on the 1st Sunday after Labor Day in September. The meal begins at 12 Noon local time. The Journal, Scottsburg, Ind. 17 August 1921 Several from here attended the Bethel picnic Saturday. Mrs. nancy casey has been seriously ill with dysentery the past week. Clifford Crum and family spent Saturday and Sunday with his father here. George Woodruff and son, Chester, were home over Sunday from Indianapolis. Fred Draper, of Terre Haute, visited his sister, Mrs. George Woodruff, last week. Asa Rogers, wife and daughter, of Scottsburg, was calling on Floyd Petty and wife Sunday. Mrs. Case is not expected to live with dropsy at the home of her daughter, Mrs. James Petty. Miss Ellen Collins returned Saturday from a visit with her uncle, Thomas enlow, and wife at Jeffersonville. Ade Collins and family, of Pekin visited his brother, Jesse and family, and James Roth and family from Friday till Sunday. About one hundred and fifty relatives and friends gave Paul Lewis a birthday surprise Wednesday night at the home of his uncle, John E. Collins. M. U. Harbold, wife and daughter, Emma, returned home Sunday evening after visiting a week with relatives.
