KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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"Vaucluse"
(Marker Number: 1699)

County: Spencer
Location: Jct. KY 155 & Yoder Station Rd.

Description: House built by Jacob Yoder circa 1806 and known as "Beechland" until his death. This Rev. War soldier and Indian fighter left Fort Redstone (Pa.), 1782, on first flatboat to descend Mississippi River. Yoder arrived in New Orleans with cargo of produce. He bought hides and furs to sell in Baltimore. Buried on farm, 1832. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1976.

(Subjects: National Register of Historic Places | Revolutionary War | Rivers)

County Named, 1824
(Marker Number: 837)

County: Spencer
Location: Entrance to Taylorsville, KY 44

Description: For Capt. Spear Spencer, Kentucky "Corn Stalk" Militia, 1792-1801. With St. Clair and Wayne Indian campaigns. Captain of Militia of Harrison Co., Ind., 1809. Formed Spencer's "Yellow Jackets," joined Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison's command in Tippecanoe campaign in upper Wabash Valley. Spencer killed in battle, Nov. 7, 1811. County from parts of Nelson, Shelby, Bullitt.

(Subjects: Harrison, William Henry)

Courthouse Burned
(Marker Number: 594)

County: Spencer
Location: Taylorsville, Courthouse lawn, KY 44, 55

Description: Twenty-two Kentucky courthouses were burned during Civil War, nineteen in last fifteen months: twelve by Confederates, eight by guerrillas, two by Union accident. See map on the reverse side. Courthouse at Taylorsville was burned by guerrillas in January, 1865. Federal scouts caught them at Mt. Eden, killing one; captured and executed one. Records saved.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses Burned)

Guerrilla Quantrill
(Marker Number: 505)

County: Spencer
Location: 5 mi. S. of Taylorsville, KY 55

Description: William Quantrill, alias Captain Clarke, 4th Mo. Cav., taken here on May 10, 1865, ending four months Central Kentucky guerrilla raids. Surrounded in Wakefield's barn by Captain Terrill's 30 Kentuckians. Quantrill tried escape, mortally wounded and moved to Louisville Military Prison Hospital. He died June 6th, ending career as outlaw, then guerrilla for southern cause.

(Subjects: Civil War)

James Morrison Heady (1829-1915)
(Marker Number: 2148)

County: Spencer
Location: Elk Creek, at Cemetery, 286 Plum Ridge Rd.

Description: The Blind Bard of Kentucky was blind by fifteen and deaf before forty. Neither condition limited his contributions. As friends read aloud, he embossed notes on the Diplograph machine he invented and built. He invented the Talking Glove with the alphabet printed on it so others could communicate by touching the letters.

(Reverse) Heady’s other inventions included the pull-chain home farm gate, furniture, utensils, and games. Built a steam-powered embossing press for American Printing House for the Blind, and wrote and published prose, poetry, and songs. Entombed with his parents in the Elk Creek Cemetery.

(Subjects: Inventors)

Spencer House
(Marker Number: 1833)

County: Spencer
Location: Taylorsville, Main St.

Description: This popular rest stop on the Louisville-Taylorsville stage route was famous hotel and tavern for many years. Built ca. 1838 by Frederick B. Mathis, this 20-room brick structure was later owned by Isaiah Yocum, Confederate veteran, who settled here after Civil War. For 58 years he and his wife Kate served guests, calling them to meals by bell atop the hotel.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Taylorsville
(Marker Number: 1748)

County: Spencer
Location: Taylorsville, KY 55

Description: Named in honor of Virginia native Richard Taylor, who donated sixty acres of land in 1799 for a town at forks of Brashear's Creek and Salt River. Taylor operated a grist mill nearby. Town became county seat of Spencer in December 1824. Four of earliest trustees of Taylorsville were Robert Jeffries, George Cravinston, Philip W. Taylor, and Benjamin Bourne.

(Subjects: Creeks | Grist Mills | Rivers)