Kentucky Historical Marker #2447
Lincoln Guns. In spring of 1861, Union officer & Kentuckian William Nelson was alarmed at the lack of weapons available to arm the state’s loyal citizen soldiers. In response, President Lincoln authorized 5,000 guns be sent. In order to avoid violating Kentucky’s neutrality the weapons were transported and distributed covertly across the state by noted Unionists. Over. (Reverse) East Tennessee Unionists- After neighboring Tennessee seceded on June 8, 1861, thousands of Union sympathizing men and their families made the arduous trek through the mountains to Kentucky’s Camp Dick Robinson to enlist and seek the Union army’s protection. By March 1862, enough E TN men had enlisted to fill four regiments, depriving Confederates of much needed manpower. Over.
Camp Dick Robinson, Lancaster, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2448
Impressed Labor for the Army. To fill the labor requirements caused by the Civil War, the Union army impressed Kentucky slaves to work on various construction projects. Of special concern were transportation and communication initiatives involving roads and railroads. Loyal owners were paid for their slaves’ work, but many grew annoyed at the loss of power and the army’s demands. Over. (Reverse) Enslaved Men to Soldiers- When Camp Nelson was established in 1863, impressed slaves from local farms provided much of the labor to construct the earthen fortifications & improve the roads that brought men & materials to this supply base. The following year, when blacks were finally allowed to enlist, many of the former laborers became soldiers who trained at Camp Nelson. Over.
Camp Nelson, Nicholasville, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2449
Fort Duffield. During the Civil War, Louisville was an important supply depot for the Union army. The Louisville & Nashville Railroad (L&N), which ran east of West Point, was vulnerable to Confederate attacks. Needing to protect supplies at Louisville and the Union line of supply via the L&N Turnpike, in late 1861, Gen. W. T. Sherman built fortifications on the hill above West Point. Over. (Reverse) In Nov. 1861, the 9th Michigan Inf., led by Col. W. W. Duffield, built Fort Duffield, a 1,000 foot long earthen wall with 10 angles of fire. A number of men who died from disease or accident were buried on the hill south of the fort. In Feb. 1862, the 9th Mich. built a bridge across Salt River that became an important transportation route for Union operations in the area.
North end of US Bus. 31W (Main St.), West Point, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2451
Camp Crittenden. With the Louisville & Nashville Railroad running through Lebanon, during the Civil War the Union army frequently established camps here. In Sept. 1861, Col. John M. Harlan founded Camp Crittenden and org. the 10th Ky. Union Inf. at Lebanon. Later, troops led by U.S. Gen. Geo. Thomas camped here prior to fighting in the Battle of Mill Springs in Jan. 1862. Over. (Reverse) Illnesses struck Thomas’s army and many men died of typhoid. Lebanon National Cemetery began as burial ground for these troops. In 1864, more than 2,000 African American recruits, mostly slaves, joined Union army here. Lebanon was one of the largest African American recruiting grounds in the state, behind Camp Nelson and Louisville.
20 Hwy. 208, Lebanon Nat'l Cemetery, Lebanon, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2452
Beech Grove/Noble Ellis. In late 1861, Confederate Gen. Felix Zollicoffer advanced into Ky. from Jamestown, Tn. Zollicoffer ordered seizure of area ferry boats to cross his army to the north side of the Cumberland River. Unable to locate adequate boats, Zollicoffer constructed transports at Mill Springs. On December 5, 1861, he crossed his army and built a winter camp here at Beech Grove. (Reverse) Noble Ellis- At Beech Grove, Zollicoffer’s army was supplied by a steamboat, the Noble Ellis. When the Confederates were defeated at the Battle of Mill Springs on Jan. 19, 1862, they returned to their camp here. To escape advancing Union troops, that night several boats, including the Noble Ellis, took the Confederates to the south side of the river. The Noble Ellis was then burned.
Mill Springs Battlefield, Somerset, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2453
Columbus-Belmont. In 1861, the Mississippi River provided a potential avenue of invasion for the Union army into the seceded Southern states. In Sept., to preempt such a move, Confederate Gen. Leonidas Polk occupied and fortified the river bluffs at Columbus and closely monitored river traffic. Kentucky’s official neutrality ended with the move. (Reverse) On Nov. 6, 1861, Union Gen. U.S. Grant moved on Columbus from Cairo, Ill., using steamboats. As Polk’s defenses at Columbus were strong, Grant attacked Camp Johnston, a Confederate outpost at Belmont, Mo. On Nov. 7, Union troops initially routed the Confederates, but after Southern reinforcements crossed the Mississippi River from Columbus, the Federals returned to Cairo.
Columbus Belmont State Park, Columbus, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2454
Bacon Creek Bridge. The Louisville & Nashville RR, completed in 1859 and running north and south, was used by both Union & Confederate armies. Bridge spans on the line were particularly targeted by raiders. The L&N bridge crossing Bacon Creek was destroyed several times during the Civil War. John Hunt Morgan’s raiders burned the span for a 2nd time, Dec. 5, 1861. Over. (Reverse) Bacon Creek Bridge was burned again Sept. 1862, when Confederate forces invaded state. The bridge fell victim to Morgan yet again in Dec. 1862, when he attacked the Union garrison protecting it. The final destruction to the bridge occurred during a December 1864 raid when Confederate Gen. Hylan Lyon and his cavalry command torched the structure. Over.
North side of 31 W. bridge, Bonnieville, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2455
Battle of Keller's Bridge. After capturing Cynthiana early June 11, 1864, CSA Gen. John H. Morgan attacked Union Gen. Edward H. Hobson at Keller’s Bridge on the Kentucky Central Railroad. The 171st Ohio Infantry, with 600 “100-days men,” arrived at dawn by rail from Covington. When the U.S. troops reached the bridge, they found that the CSA had burned it on June 8. Over. (Reverse) CSA engaged Hobson on the hills above the A. Keller Rd. Union troops retreated beyond the railroad, which then divided the lines. Hobson surrendered after being trapped in the river bend. This was Morgan’s final victory and was the highlight of his Last Kentucky Raid. Battlefield on National Register of Historic Places, 2002. Over.
Hwy 36 at intersection of A. Keller Rd., 1 mi. west of Cynthiana, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2456
Highlands Neighborhood. This area was settled by Major William Preston and his wife, Caroline Hancock, who established a plantation known as the “Briar Patch” in 1815. Bardstown Pike, just to the east, was approved for construction in 1819 as major state transportation link to points south, driving commerce and population growth in this area. (Reverse) This land was subdivided by the Preston heirs and streets nearby bear their names. By 1865, the area was known as New Hamburg, due to influx of German immigrants. The area gained popularity due to the extension of the streetcar line & estab. of Cherokee Park. By 1901, St. Anthony’s Hospital was established here to serve poor, needy, & infirmed.
Corner of Winter & Baxter Sts., Louisville, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2457
Stanford Female College. The Stanford Female Seminary was incorporated by the Ky. Legislature on Feb. 26, 1869, but the name was changed to the Stanford Female College in 1871. The original brick structure (west side of building) was completed & the college opened in the fall of 1872. The next year, an addition was built & the original structure housed the students. (Reverse) College was organized by citizens of Stanford to provide a collegiate education for their daughters. It had 83 graduates during its history. The school was forced to close in 1907, because it couldn’t compete with the public schools supported with tax money. After its closure, the Stanford Elementary School was located here until the 1930s.
312 West Main St., Stanford, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2458
Trace Branch United Methodist Church. This church was established in 1895 on land donated by Lawson and Harriet Morris. The sanctuary was built by members of the community. Samuel Kelly, a circuit rider, was the first minister. Located on the Little Richland Creek, it is near the Boone Trace. (Reverse) One of the oldest congregations in Knox County, it is said to have been founded by Bishop Francis Asbury in the Trace Branch community. Its history dates back to as early as 1801 and it has served the congregation as well as the community. It was designated a Kentucky Historic Landmark in 1994.
47 Trace Branch Rd., Heidrick, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2459
Petersburg Distillery/ Lewis Loder. Est. in 1817 as Petersburg Steam Mill Co. at the south end of town. In 1833 William Snyder bought the mill; 3 years later he was distilling whiskey. By 1861, he had lost the business. In 1869, it was sold to Freiburg & Workum and it became the largest distillery in Ky. Closed & dismantled by 1919, the bricks were used in many buildings in town. (Reverse) Lewis Loder (1819-1905)- Born in Pennsylvania, he moved to Petersburg in 1858 and lived in a c. 1840 house at Tanner & Front Sts. He served as justice of the peace and operated a tavern in his home for many years. Loder was hired as clerk & bookkeeper at the Petersburg Distillery, 1865. His diaries recorded distillery business as well as daily life in Boone Co. from 1857-1904.
Front St. in Riverview Park, Petersburg, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2460
Florence Crittenton Home. In 1894, a group of local women established the House of Mercy on this site to provide a home for single pregnant women. In 1921 the home became affiliated with Florence Crittenton Homes, founded by Charles Crittenton in memory of his daughter, Florence, for the purpose of helping women in need. Over. (Reverse) For 118 years, the Florence Crittenton Home helped countless women and girls. Essential social & medical services were provided, with aid from staff, donors, volunteers, schools, churches, hospitals, and government funding. The home closed in 2013.
519 W. 4th St., Lexington, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2461
Maurice Hudson Thatcher (1870-1973). Born in Chicago, Il., he moved to Butler Co. in 1874 & was educated in public and private schools here. After serving as Butler Co. Circuit Court Clerk (1893-96) he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1898. He moved to Louisville in 1900 & was Asst. Atty. Gen. of Ky.(1898-1900) and Asst. US Atty. for the Western Dist. of Ky. (1901-06). (Reverse) He was appointed a member of the Isthmian Canal Comm. and the fifth Gov. of Panama Canal Zone (1910-13) & helped to estab. the Gov’t of Panama. As a US Rep. from Ky., he guided passage of legislation for Mammoth Cave Nat’l Park, Lincoln’s Birthplace Nat’l Hist. Park, and Zachary Taylor Nat’l Cem. Also a poet, his work honored Ky., nature, and his beloved Green River.
Butler County Courthouse lawn, Morgantown, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2462
Union Church. This is the first brick church erected within the original city limits of Bardstown. The 1804 will of Samuel P. Jones directed that his possessions be sold and the money be used to build a church for all Christian denominations. His wishes were carried out and the church was built ca. 1812. Two lots were used for the cemetery. (Reverse) Congregations of Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists met here until they built their own churches. After the Civil War, the African American Baptists began meeting here and assumed responsibility for its upkeep. It was enlarged and a bell tower was added in the late 1800s. Became home to the First Baptist Church in the 1860s.
315 N. Second St., Bardstown, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2463
Founding of West Point/ James Young. In 1796, James Young and Samuel Pearman established the town of West Point on land owned by Young. It received its name because it was the westernmost English-speaking settlement downstream from the Falls of the Ohio River (Louisville). Over time the town prospered due to access to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. (Reverse) James Young (1767-1849)- While residing in West Point and operating Young’s Inn, James Young promoted and helped finance the Louisville-Nashville Turnpike that later evolved into Dixie Highway. By 1797, Young was operating a ferry from the mouth of the Salt River across the Ohio River, to what was the Northwest Territory (present day Indiana).
109 Elm St., West Point, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2464
Old Stone Jail and Jailer's Residence. This building, which was Simpson County’s fourth jail (the first being built in 1819), was constructed in 1879 and was used for civilian prisoners until 1986. The unique style of the Old Jail is based on a medieval fortress; the design combined psychological deterrence to crime and provided an escape-proof enclosure. Over. (Reverse) Jailer's Residence- The jailer’s residence was built in Greek Revival style circa 1835. It is one of the oldest buildings in Franklin and was used as a jail from 1860-1879. It housed Confederate prisoners during the Civil War, who left graffiti on the walls. This building was converted to the jailer’s residence after the jail was built in 1879.
206 North College St., Franklin, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2465
Sen. Joseph C. S. Blackburn. Born in Woodford Co., Oct.1, 1838, he graduated from Centre College & studied law in Lex.; admitted to the bar in 1858. He served as a lt. col. in the Confederate Army & settled in Arkansas in 1865, where he was a lawyer and planter. After returning to Ky. in 1868, he served in the Ky. Legislature (1871-75) & the U.S. Congress (1875-85). (Reverse) Blackburn served as a U. S. Senator (1885-97, 1901-07) before Pres.T. Roosevelt appointed him as first governor of the Panama Canal Zone in 1907. He resigned in 1909 and returned to Woodford Co. He died on Sept. 12, 1918 and is buried in the Frankfort Cemetery. The younger brother of Ky. Gov. Luke Blackburn, he lived here from 1881-99.
215 Rose Hill Ave., Versailles, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2466
Second Presbyterian Church. Second Presbyterian Church was founded on July 30, 1815, and was first led by Rev. James McChord. Originally located on Market St., it was moved here in 1924. Founding members included Robert S. Todd, father of Mary Todd Lincoln, and Joseph C. Breckinridge, father of John C. Breckinridge, U.S. Vice President (1857-61) & Confederate Secretary of War (1865). Over. (Reverse) Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln attended services at the Market St. church on Nov. 25, 1847 to hear the Rev. Robert J. Breckinridge, a noted Presbyterian minister and emancipationist. During the Civil War, Breckinridge advised Pres. Lincoln about affairs in Ky. Former ministers at Second, John Breckinridge and John C. Young were also active emancipationists.
460 E. Main St., Lexington, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2467
Daviess Co. U. S. Colored Troops in the Civil War. In 1864, several hundred enslaved African American men joined the Union army here. Enlisting in the army meant eventual freedom for the men and their families. Units raised in Daviess Co. took part in important operations at Richmond, Petersburg, and Lee's surrender at Appomattox, as well as campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Louisiana. (Reverse) Recruits served in the 100th, 109th, and 118th U.S. Colored Infantry and the 5th and 6th U.S. Colored Cavalry. There was much opposition among pro-slavery Kentucky Unionists to the recruitment of slaves. Therefore, black men in Daviess Co. took great risks to themselves and their families by enlisting in the army.
2nd & Frederica Sts., Daviess Co. Courthouse, Owensboro, KY, United States