Jerry R. Harris (1928 - 2012)
Jeffreys Cliffs, the Beginning
The story of Jeffreys Cliffs being opened to the public really begins in 1977 when Jerry R. Harris purchased the 100 acre cliffs property from G. W. Newman a descendant of the area namesake John A. Jeffreys. Newman and other previous owners had considered transforming the cliffs into a park, but none of their ideas ever materialized. Jerry’s acquisition marked a turning point in the efforts to make the area accessible for public enjoyment.
Jerry Harris: Roots and Early Life
Jerry Harris was born in Hancock County on July 8, 1928. The eldest son of Raymond and Lucille Harris, he and his eight siblings lived on a farm in the Dukes community in Hancock County. His formative years unfolded during the hardships of the Great Depression, prior to World War II. Despite these challenges, Jerry graduated from high school at age 16. Due to his youth, he initially found work only as a bellhop at a hotel in Cannelton, Indiana.
A Career in Surveying
While working at the hotel, Jerry met a group of surveyors from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) who were guests there. They offered him a job assisting them, which marked the beginning of his career in surveying. Jerry worked for the USGS for several years, gaining valuable experience, although his advancement was limited by his lack of a college degree.
New Opportunities in Alaska
This changed in 1959, when Alaska became the 49th state on January 3, 1959. Federal lands became state lands and required extensive surveying. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was assigned this task and waived the college degree requirement to attract workers to Alaska. Jerry applied for and received a transfer to the BLM. By this time, Jerry was married, and he, his wife Martha, and their young daughters Linda and Carol moved to Alaska. After a number of years working for the BLM, Jerry started his own survey business and achieved considerable success in the new state of Alaska.
Return to Hancock County and the Cliffs Acquisition
In 1977, Jerry had returned to Hancock County to visit family. While there he learned that the Jeffreys Cliffs property was for sale, and he decided to buy it. With help from his younger brother, Wally Harris, Jerry tried to generate interest in turning the area into a state park, but, as with earlier efforts, nothing came of it.
A Vision for the Public
Jerry Harris passed away on September 21st, 2012. Before his passing, he expressed to his daughters his wish not to sell the cliffs but to continue seeking ways to allow access for the public. In 2013, his daughters offered to donate the property to Hancock County. At that time, access to the cliff tops was extremely limited, with only two narrow, overgrown, and impassable strips of land available. Both were unsuitable for public use. The property was surrounded by private land and additional land below the cliffs was needed to enable public access.
Making the Dream a Reality
The offer to donate the property by the Harris daughters in 2013 initiated a seven-year effort to realize their father's dream of making the area open to everyone. This meant obtaining grants to purchase additional property. In 2018, Hancock County bought the Henning family farm adjacent to the cliffs along Kentucky Hwy 1406. This became the location of the main parking lot and the lower hiking trails.
The organizations that collaborated to develop the Jeffreys Cliffs Conservation and Recreation Area include the Hancock County Heritage Commission, Inc., the Hancock County Fiscal Court, the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves, and the Kentucky Heritage Conservation Fund. Their combined efforts culminated in the opening of the area in June 2020.
SLC 12/21/2025
Jerry R. Harris and Family
The grateful citizens of Hancock County installed a plaque and a bench on the overlook at the top of "Mossy Gap. The plaque recognizes Jerry Harris and his family's generosity.
