Part of a page captured from the Sports Illustrated website, featuring a story about Rolley Hole in the world-famous publication from many years ago.

The type of marbles played in Clay County – Rolley Hole – is something of a cultural phenomenon.

The game is played basically only in our county and in neighboring Monroe County, Kentucky. It has garnered nationwide media coverage through the decades. Rolley Hole has been highlighted by CBS news, National Geographic magazine, Sports Illustrated and other major news outlets.

A world championship for the sport is held annually at nearby Standing Stone State Park. Marble players from Clay County have also traveled to England as ambassadors of the sport.  Marble players from England and France have traveled to the U.S. to see what the game is all about, too.  The game is played not with glass marbles, but marbles made from flint rock.

Rolley Hole marbles has seen the passing of a baton in Clay County in the past few years, as a younger group of county residents has given the sport something of a revival.  This is a game played by youngsters, young and middle-aged adults, and seniors alike.  It’s not unusual to see multiple generations of a family at the marble yard.  Making flint marbles is a crucial component of this revival, and younger marble makers are being developed.