Kentucky Historical Marker #2283
"Horrible Massacre". On January 25, 1865, Co. E. 5th United States Colored Calvary (USCC) attacked by Confederate guerillas while driving herd of 900 cattle to Louisville. About 22 men killed and at least eight severely wounded. Based at Camp Nelson, nearly all of the recruits were former slaves. The 5th also fought in 1864 Saltville battles. (Reverse) African American Cemetery- The 5th USCC troopers killed in 1865 Simpsonville slaughter were buried in a mass grave by local residents. Area used as African American cemetery. Members of the Trim #2 United Brothers of Friendship Lodge operated the cemetery until the last member died in 1965. Lodge hall located in Simpsonville.
US 60, 1/2 mile west of Simpsonville, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2284
Ephraim McDowell House. Home of Ephraim McDowell, the “father of modern surgery.” Here on December 25, 1809, McDowell performed the first successful abdominal operation when he took a 22-pound ovarian cyst from Jane Todd Crawford of Green Co. With no anesthesia, she sang hymns during the operation. Crawford recovered in 25 days and lived until 1842. Over. (Reverse) Built in 3 stages. Brick ell, or single-story wing, built 1790s. McDowell purchased house in 1802 and added front clapboard section c. 1804. Rear brick office and formal gardens added in 1820. House sold when McDowell died in 1830. In 1930s, Ky. Med. Assoc. bought house; restored by WPA. House dedicated on May 20, 1939. Now a house museum. Over.
125 S. Second St., Danville, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2285
Lexington, 1850-1875. Famous thoroughbred stallion bred by Elisha Warfield, "father of Ky. Turf." One of the first major stallions in the area, helped center US breeding industry in Ky. Stood at Robert Alexander's Woodburn Farm. Farm fell victim to Morgan's Raiders during Civil War, and Lexington was sent to Illinois to escape capture. (Reverse) Fastest horse of his time and greatest sire of his day. Produced more champion offspring than any other stallion. Led US sire list for 16 years, a record that still holds today. Grandsire of Aristides, first Ky. Derby winner. Inducted into National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame 1955.
301 E. Vine St., Lexington, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2286
Galloway Pike Iron Bridge. Pratt through truss bridge was built in 1910 over North Elkhorn Creek at historic Branham’s Mill site. Scott County Fiscal Court had Lexington’s Empire Bridge Co. construct the steel bridge. It is 120 feet long, 12 feet wide, 12 feet high. Property owner C. H. Singer gave $1,000 toward construction expense due to high cost of bridge. (Reverse) Branham's Mill~ Bridge occupies historic creek crossing site of mill of Richard and James Branham. Richard, the father, received 200-acre land grant for service as sergeant in Washington’s regiment in French and Indian War. Family occupied setting after 1783 survey. Mill was one of the most important early landmarks in Scott County.
KY 1218, Galloway Pike, Georgetown, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2287
Greenville Springs. Last remnant of medicinal springs prevalent in Mercer County during 1800s. Healing properties were discovered by Rev. Jesse Head in 1806. First of the famed spas in Harrodsburg. Gazebos covered the springs & cabins rented to those who came to take the waters. Dr. C. C. Graham purchased it in 1827 & later developed Graham Springs.
Beaumont Inn Dr., Harrodsburg, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2288
Bradford Schoolhouse. A rare example of a one-room schoolhouse. First through eighth grades, with about 25 children per year, were taught by one teacher. This schoolhouse was used until 1929. In Kentucky, there were an estimated 6,752 one-room school- houses in 1901, & some were still being used until 1989. It’s on the Nat’l Register of Historic Places.
1942 Bradford Rd., Bradford, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2289
What's in a Name?. The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Kentucky (A&M) was established in 1865 as part of the private Kentucky University. In 1878, A&M separated from Kentucky University (now Transylvania University) to become an independent public institution. Lexington donated a 52-acre park south of downtown for a new campus, which is the present site of UK. Class of 2008. (Reverse) By 1880, the A&M College was commonly known as State College. A&M achieved university status in 1908 and was named State University, Lexington, Kentucky. In 1916, the legislature officially changed the name to University of Kentucky. Class of 2008.
UK campus, White Hall Plaza, Lexington, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2290
Little Mountain Indian Mound. On this site stood the massive Little Mountain Indian Mound, from which Mount Sterling derived its name. Constructed by the Adena Indian culture about 2000 years ago, the circular mound stood 25 feet in height and 125 feet in diameter and was located along the Warrior’s Trace. (Reverse) It was a prominent landmark used by William Calk and Enoch Smith to survey land claims in 1775. James Estill and his men camped here on March 21, 1782, the night before the battle of Estill’s Defeat. In 1845, the city removed the mound & extraordinary artifacts of copper, marble, stone, and shell were recovered during the excavation.
Corner of Queen St. & Adena Trail, Mt. Sterling, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2291
Jug Band Pioneer. Earl McDonald (1885-1949) helped establish Louisville as the home of jug band music. An accomplished jug blower, vocalist, composer, leader, & recording artist. Bands in Australia, Europe, and Japan continue to admire, perform, and emulate his 42 recorded tunes of the 1920s and 1930s.
1200 block of River Rd. at waterfront, Louisville, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2292
The Night Rider Movement. Dr. David Amoss, leader of Night Rider movement, was born in Cobb, Ky. on October 19, 1857. Moved by compassion for his people, this country doctor provided leadership for tobacco farmers in Ky. & Tenn. He led an organized society of dark tobacco farmers in a violent revolt against the high prices of tobacco imposed by the Duke Trust. (Reverse) This is the story of the struggle of an impoverished people to right a terrible wrong. Their efforts helped break up tobacco monopoly. In 1911, the Duke Trust (American Tobacco Co.) was dissolved by a ruling of the U.S. Supreme Court. Dr. David Amoss died in 1915 & is buried in the Millwood Cemetery. His home is now a museum.
KY 672, Dr. David Amoss House, Cobb, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2293
Paul Sawyier Library. Lilian Lindsey, who lived in the Vest-Lindsey House, founded the Frankfort Public Library. It opened on Dec. 12, 1908, in the McClure Building, and was managed by the Frankfort Woman’s Club until 1965. The library moved to the Old State House, then to the Masonic Building, and in 1925, to the Woman’s Club Building. (Reverse) The Franklin County Homemakers Clubs, in cooperation with the Library Extension Division, started a countywide bookmobile in 1955. The library & bookmobile service merged in 1965 and moved to the old post office, which was named Paul Sawyier Public Library in honor of the well-known artist. The new library opened in 2006.
319 Wapping St., Frankfort, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2294
Tobacco Farmers Unite. Farmers throughout western Ky. and northern Tn. gathered in Guthrie on Sept. 24, 1904, in response to the tobacco growers’ economic hardship. Five thousand farmers participated in the formation of a cooperative to pool their crops in opposition to price-fixing actions by James Duke and the American Tobacco Co. Two more Guthrie rallies in 1905-06. (Reverse) The Planters Protective Association advocated state & federal policies more responsive to farmers’ needs. On May 29, 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that American Tobacco Co. violated the Sherman Antitrust Act & directed James Duke to bust up his operation. Tobacco prices began to climb. The association disbanded in 1914.
236 S. Ewing St., Guthrie, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2295
Bourbon Whiskey/ Jacob Spears. Named after Bourbon Co. because of quantity and quality of whiskey produced within its borders. Made from a fermented mash of at least 51% corn, with less wheat, rye, or barley, yeast and limestone water. Distilled at no more than 160 proof and aged in charred oak barrels. In 1964, Congress recognized bourbon as a distinctly American product. (Reverse) Stone Castle, 1 mile south, built 1790 by Thomas Metcalfe for Jacob Spears. A Pennsylvanian who settled in Paris, he was innovative farmer & one of first distillers of bourbon whiskey. Still standing on this farm are a springhouse and a storehouse for his bourbon whiskey. It is the most complete distiller’s complex still in existence today.
Crossroads of Clay-Kiser & US 27, Paris, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2296
Vertner Woodson Tandy, 1885-1949. Born in Lexington, son of Henry A. Tandy, respected African American contractor. Attended the Chandler School, Tuskegee Institute, Cornell Univ. 1st registered black architect in New York State, where he built landmark homes & buildings. A founder of Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest African American fraternity.
642 West Main St., Lexington, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2297
Lincoln Homestead State Park. Thomas and Nancy Hanks Lincoln, the parents of future president Abraham Lincoln, were married near here on June 12, 1806. Shortly after their wedding, the couple moved to Elizabethtown, where their daughter, Sarah, was born. The family eventually lived near Hodgenville, where Abraham Lincoln was born on Feb. 12, 1809. (Reverse) Nancy died of milk sickness in 1818, when Abraham was 9 years old. His father, a farmer and carpenter, died in Ill. in 1851. Mordecai Lincoln, Abraham’s uncle, lived a half-mile south of here. Mordecai also moved to Ill., and, Lincoln wrote, “I often saw Uncle Mordecai.” Lincoln Homestead State Park was established 1936.
5079 Lincoln Park Rd., 5 miles N of Springfield, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2298
The Little Loomhouse. Lou Tate Bousman (1906-79), born in Bowling Green, Ky. During Arts & Crafts movement, at Pres. Hoover’s request, she traveled Appalachia preserving historic coverlet patterns. Her work with Mrs. Hoover led to the development of her Little Loom. Eleanor Roosevelt ordered linens for the White House from Tate. Educated hundreds of people on hand weaving at the Little Loomhouse, 1937-1979. (Reverse) Happy Birthday to You- Mildred Jane Hill and Patty Smith Hill, noted kindergarten & music teachers, had summer residence on Kenwood Hill, known as Hill House. In 1893, the sisters published song, “Good Morning to All.” During a birthday party held in the Little Loomhouse, Patty suggested that the words be changed to “Happy Birthday to You.” It’s one of the three most popular songs in English.
Kenwood Dr. & Kenwood Hill Rd., Louisville, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2299
Captain Daniel Weisiger III. Capt. Daniel Weisiger III, 1763-1829- Early Frankfort merchant, farmer, county clerk, city trustee, first postmaster, and host of Weisiger House. 1st Master of Hiram Masonic Lodge. He married Lucy Price and fathered 10 children, including Dr. Joseph Weisiger, first white male born in Frankfort. Grandfather of 3 Civil War generals. (Reverse) Weisiger House, “at the Sign of the Golden Eagle”- Tunstall’s Tavern was enlarged to become Weisiger House, ca. 1790s. Social & political gathering place in Frankfort. On May 9, 1825, a grand ball was held to honor Gen. Lafayette. After Daniel’s death, Lucy managed inn & stage stop for over a decade. City bought it in 1852 & built Capital Hotel here.
Main and Ann Sts., Frankfort, KY, United States
Kentucky Historical Marker #2300
Edward "Eddie" Ward. Born in Pine Knot, Ky. on Nov. 23, 1881. Enlisted in U.S. Army, 1901. In 1907, Cpl. Ward was assigned by the Signal Officer to take charge of “all matters pertaining to military ballooning, air machines, and all kindred subjects.” He became first non-commissioned officer of what evolved into the present aviation branch of the U.S. Army. (Reverse) When serving in Va., he helped uncrate the Wright Bros. plane when it arrived for trials in 1908. After promotion to sergeant, Ward became engineer of U.S. Army Dirigible No. 1, Ft. Omaha. Later, served in Signal Corps in Alaska & Philippines. Returned to U.S.,1914. Commissioned as first lieutenant at start of WWI. He died Jan. 7, 1965 & is buried in Dayton, Ohio.
US 27 S. near intersection of US 27 & KY 92 , Pine Knot, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2301
Eastern Kentucky Railway- Willard. In 1873, line was extended from Grayson to Willard. Located here were a turntable, water tower, railroad scales, & engine house. Near-by, the Lick Branch & Lost Creek spurs, as well as EK coal mines and coal camp existed. In 1892, an angry mob stole the EK train and, south of here, lynched Austin Porter. (Reverse) On Oct. 31, 1905, 6 men attempted to rob the safe at the bank of Willard but were thwarted by locals. The robbers escaped using an EK engine. They fled afoot up Johns Run & were later captured. In the 1920s, for $7.20 a month, children took the Blue Goose to school from Willard each day.
Junction of KY 1 & 1496, Willard, ,
Kentucky Historical Marker #2302
Captain Isaac Cunningham, 1778-1842. Commanded a company of Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia from Clark and Bourbon counties during the War of 1812. Served in state legislature 1816 and 1827. Sheriff & Clark County magistrate. Visitors to his farm included Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, Gov. James Clark, and Hon. Richard Menifee. (Reverse) Grave of Capt. Isaac Cunningham- Isaac, and brother Robert, brought bluegrass seed from Virginia. They were among the first to cultivate bluegrass and use it as a crop in Ky. Also prominent in importing, breeding, and raising shorthorn cattle and thoroughbred horses. Isaac and his wife, Sarah Harness, are buried near this spot.
3375 Van Meter Rd., Winchester, ,