KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Battle of Green River Bridge
(Marker Number: 89)

County: Taylor
Location: 9 mi. S. of Campbellsville, Bypass on Old KY 55

Description: Here on July 4, 1863, Confederates of Morgan's Brigade under Colonel A. R. Johnson attacked entrenched position of Federal forces under Colonel O. H. Moore. They were repulsed eight times.

(Subjects: Civil War | Johnson, Adam R. | Morgan, John Hunt)

Brig. Gen. Elias Barbee
(Marker Number: 1536)

County: Taylor
Location: Broadway, Campbellsville, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: Born 1763. Died 1843. Served in Rev. War from Culpeper Co., Va. His five brothers, Daniel, John, Joshua, Thomas and William, also served in Revolution. Elias Barbee came early to what is now Taylor County. Lived eight miles N.W. of Campbellsville. He was appointed Major in 1792, Colonel in 1797, and Brig. General, in 1799, in Ky. Militia, 16th Regt., Green Co., Ky.

(Reverse) Brig. Gen. Elias Barbee - Represented Green Co. in Kentucky Senate. In 1822, Senator Barbee introduced a bill in the Senate calling for establishment of the present Kentucky School for the Deaf at Danville, Ky. Bill drawn up by Judge John Rowan, passed by Legislature and signed by Gov. Adair, establishing on April 10, 1823, first state-supported school for the deaf in the United States.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Campbellsville
(Marker Number: 995)

County: Taylor
Location: Campbellsville, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: First settled about 1800. Town, established by Legislature, 1817, was made seat of government when county was formed. It was named for Adam and Andrew Campbell who with three brothers came from Va., settling on father's land grants. Adam and Andrew among founders of town. Andrew died, 1819; Adam was prominent farmer and leader in Taylor County affairs. See over.

(Reverse) Taylor County - Kentucky's l00th. Established by Legislature, 1848, formed from a part of Green County. Named for Gen. Zachary Taylor, famed Kentucky soldier. Noted as Indian fighter: Ft. Harrison, War of 1812; Black Hawk War, 1832; Florida Seminoles, 1837. Defeat of superior Mexican forces at Battle of Buena Vista, 1847, made him a national hero. Elected US President, 1848. Over.

(Subjects: Buena Vista, Battle of | Mexican War | Taylor, Zachary | War of 1812)

Campbellsville Baptist Church
(Marker Number: 1729)

County: Taylor
Location: 420 N. Central Ave., Campbellsville, KY 527

Description: Taylor County's oldest congregation began with Pitman Creek, organized 1791, and Robinson Creek, founded by 1793. They combined to form the "Church Pitman," which became Campbellsville Baptist Church, 1852, located on No. Columbia Ave. Frame building there was used by court during the Civil War after Confederates burned the courthouse. Presented by Campbellsville Baptist Church.

(Reverse) Campbellsville Baptist Church - In 1889, Shuttleworth Memorial Baptist Church, now the Library, replaced 1852 building. In 1915-1916, a church with domed ceiling and four walls of stained glass windows was erected; destroyed by fire, 1962. The present Greek Revival edifice was erected in 1963. Of group's origin, only Pitman and Robinson church cemeteries still remain. Presented by Campbellsville Baptist Church.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Cemeteries | Civil War | Courthouses | Creeks)

Campbellsville College
(Marker Number: 1924)

County: Taylor
Location: Entrance to campus, 200 W. College St., Campbellsville

Description: Founded as Russell Creek Academy by Russell Creek Assoc. of Baptists in 1906. C.R. Hoskins sold ten-acre site for $1,000. On founding committee were J.L. Atkinson, J.R. Davis, George Durrett, James Garnett, Jr., S.E. Kerr, W.R. Lyon, B.W. Penick, Alexander Shively, W.T. Underwood, and H.C. Wood. Presented by Campbellsville College.

(Reverse) Campbellsville College - Traveling central Kentucky by buggy, L.C. Kelly, T.E. Ennis, H.S. Robinson, Abel Harding, Ed Henderson, C.M. and J.R. Durham raised funds needed to maintain Russell Creek Academy. Institution became Campbellsville Junior College in 1924. Administration Building with classrooms and library burned in 1939. Rebuilt and became senior college, 1960.

(Subjects: Schools)

Confederate Raids
(Marker Number: 706)

County: Taylor
Location: Campbellsville, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: General John Hunt Morgan's cavalry, returning from second Kentucky raid, here, Dec. 31, 1862. Took supplies. Went on to Tenn. On raid Union's rail supply line wrecked and $2,000,000 property destroyed. Morgan thru here again after three-hour battle at Tebb's Bend, July 4, 1863. Continued raid into Indiana to NE Ohio, where captured, July 26th. See map other side.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Courthouse Burned
(Marker Number: 582)

County: Taylor
Location: Campbellsville, behind Courthouse in Memorial space , US 68

Description: Gen. Hylan B. Lyon with 800 men invaded Ky., Dec. 1864, to enforce CSA draft law and divert USA from Nashville. In 23 days he burned seven courthouses used by Union forces. (See map on reverse side.) The courthouse at Campbellsville was burned December 25. Some records saved. Desertions had reduced ranks to 250 and Lyon moved out of state via Burkesville, Jan. 3.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses Burned)

Cumberland Trace
(Marker Number: 1383)

County: Taylor
Location: Campbellsville, Courthouse lawn, US 68, KY 55

Description: As early as 1779 and 1780, many settlers traveled over the trace, passing through what is now Taylor County. The Cumberland Trace branched off from the Wilderness Road near Logan's Station in Lincoln County (40 mi. east). It was the trail traveled by the pioneers who came through the Cumberland Gap to settle the then new lands of Ky. and Tenn. Over.

(Reverse) Cumberland Trace - Turning west from Logan's Station, the trace crossed the Rolling Fork River; went down to Robinson Creek in what is now Taylor County; then near Buckhorn Creek, and down the south side of the Trace Fork of Sinking Creek (Pittman Creek). It crossed the Green River at Pittman's Station and went south across the Cumberland River to the site that is now Nashville. Over.

(Subjects: Cumberland Gap | Cumberland Trace | Forts and Stations | Roads | Wilderness Road)

Friendship Baptist Church
(Marker Number: 2016)

County: Taylor
Location: KY 323, approx. 4 mi. W. of KY 210

Description: One of Taylor Co.'s oldest churches was admitted to Russell Creek Assoc. in 1807 under name of Sand Lick Meeting House. On Sept. 17, 1815, pioneer missionary Luther Rice preached here and collected the first offering for foreign missions in the Russell Creek Assoc. The church name changed to Friendship Baptist by 1815. Presented by Friendship Baptist Church.

(Reverse) Sand Lick Meeting House - In 1837 the two acres on which Sand Lick Meeting House stood were deeded to the church by Brig. Gen. Elias Barbee (1763-1843), one of its charter members. This site was across Friendship Rd. from current building. Gen. Barbee also served in Ky. House and Sen.; introduced bill to establish present Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville. Presented by Friendship Baptist Church.

(Subjects: Baptist Church)

Independence Day-1863
(Marker Number: 605)

County: Taylor
Location: 9 mi. S. of Campbellsville, Bypass on old KY 55

Description: Morgan's Raiders, on way to Ohio, July 4, 1863, approached 200 USA Mich. Inf. under Col. O. H. Moore intrenched here. Morgan demanded surrender. Moore replied Fourth of July no day to entertain such a proposition. Eight CSA assaults repulsed in 3-hour battle, 36 CSA killed, 45 wounded. 6 USA killed, 23 wounded. Morgan bypassed and moved on after significant delay.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Sanders Tavern
(Marker Number: 1448)

County: Taylor
Location: 6 mi. E. of Campbellsville, US 68

Description: Site of tavern owned by Henry Sanders, Jr., and operated by him as early as 1814. The 30-room inn was a famous stop for the six-horse stage coaches traveling the old Lexington and Nashville Road. Many notable persons were guests at the tavern, the most prominent of whom was Pres. Andrew Jackson on his way to Washington, September 27, 1832. See over.

(Reverse) Sanders Tavern - Henry Sanders, Jr., 1776-1844, settled in this county in 1795. Besides building Sanders Tavern, parts of which stood until about 1947, he also built "Clay Hill," the home of his son James Sanders. He assisted in the survey of the road built through Muldraugh's Hill, and in 1837 gave the land for Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, located nearby. See over.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Jackson, Andrew | Taverns)