The Bloody Origin Behind a Small Town.
Recent evidence uncovered by Rowan County Historical Society (RCHS) shows factual evidence that the origin of Morehead’s name is quite a gory tale.
Bob Jones, a native of Rowan County, had always figured that the city was named after some politician or good Samaritan. He was horrified to find out that the true reason for the name comes from Rowan County being the seat of public execution in the early 1800’s.
“Apparently spectators from all the surrounding counties would come to see these terrible beheadings” Jones said in an interview about his research. “It was a form of entertainment for most of the region.”
Allegedly the crowds would cheer as the criminals died, chanting “More heads! More heads! More heads!” Eventually due to the success of these exhibitions, the city grew and became known as More-heads.
Later in the century, public executions became more of a faux pas, and as the excitement died down, the city forgot its history. And today we have the city of Morehead.