KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Cavalry vs. Gunboat
(Marker Number: 619)

County: Trigg
Location: Canton, US 68

Description: CSA General Nathan Bedford Forrest with 6 cavalry companies joined Gen. Charles Clark, Nov. 15, 1861, at Hopkinsville. On reconnaissance learned of USA gunboat Conestoga's intent to destroy CSA supplies at Canton. They met here November 20 in 7 hours of ship-to-shore combat. Conestoga left. Forrest's command had stood ground well, first time under fire. See map other side.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forrest, Nathan Bedford)

Center Furnace
(Marker Number: 1366)

County: Trigg
Location: 71/2 mi. NW of Cadiz, KY 274

Description: Sometimes called Hematite, furnace was built by 1852 by Daniel Hillman 2 1/2 mi. west; 35 ft. high, 10 ft. across inside at widest point. Operated, although not continuously, until 1912, burning charcoal fuel. Its air blast was powered by steam. In 46 weeks of 1856, it produced 2,139 1/2 tons of pig iron, mostly shipped by steamboat to fabricators. See other side.

(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Civil War Sniper
(Marker Number: 881)

County: Trigg
Location: Jct. US 68 & KY 453

Description: In 1862 Jack Hinson swore revenge against Union Army when two sons were executed as bushwhackers. From ambush he picked off men in blue uniforms on gun boats and on land. With a price on his head, he continued his vendetta until his gun bore 36 notches at close of war. He guided General Nathan Bedford Forrest in his last campaign in area, Oct.-Nov., 1864.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forrest, Nathan Bedford)

County Named, 1820
(Marker Number: 1159)

County: Trigg
Location: Cadiz, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: For Col. Stephen Trigg, Virginian. Came to Ky. as member of Court of Land Commissioners, 1779. Settled Trigg's Station near Harrodsburg, 1780. In Va. Legislature was active in establishing town of Louisville, 1780. Justice of Peace, on first Lincoln Co. court, 1781. Trigg killed at Battle of Blue Licks, Aug. 19, 1782. Trigg County formed from Caldwell and Christian.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Forts and Stations | Indians)

Courthouse Burned
(Marker Number: 578)

County: Trigg
Location: Cadiz, Courthouse lawn, 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.) Lyon came to Cadiz, December 13. US force fled courthouse, leaving man with smallpox. Lyon burned "contaminated" building, moved to Eddyville. County records saved.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses Burned)

Donaldson
(Marker Number: 1892)

County: Trigg
Location: 8 mi. S. of Cadiz, Jct. KY 807 & 1062

Description: This community was first settled ca. 1798. Among the prominent Revolutionary War veterans who settled here were John Cohoon, James Thomas, Sr., and Nathan Futrell. These early pioneers cleared forests, planted crops and orchards, set up lumber and grist mills and distilleries. Donaldson post office, established 1855, was on this site 1894-1913. See over.

(Reverse) Donaldson - This seven-mile-long valley has numerous fresh-water springs that feed Donaldson Creek. It was once a hunting ground for the Chickasaw Indian tribe. Area was part of Christian County until Trigg was created in 1820. Donaldson precinct formed in 1917; citizens voted here for more than forty years. Over.

(Subjects: Creeks | Grist Mills | Indians | Post Office | Revolutionary War)

Drummer Boy at 7
(Marker Number: 994)

County: Trigg
Location: 6 mi. S. of Golden Pond, off US 68

Description: Nathan Futrell, reputed to be the youngest drummer boy in War of the Revolution, was born, N.C., 1773. Joined N.C. Continental Militia. Married, 1798, came to Ky., 1799. Settled here on Ford's Creek, 1820, where he farmed, set out the first apple orchard, built one of area's first grist mills, was official surveyor. Died, 1829. He and his wife, Charity, buried on adjacent hill.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Drury Bridges (Bridgers, Bridger) 1765-1840
(Marker Number: 1788)

County: Trigg
Location: Maple Grove, 8 mi. S. of Cadiz, KY 1062

Description: This Trigg County pioneer came to Ky. from N.C. in 1804 and built a cabin here, near Beechy Fork Creek, on 851/2-acre land grant. Born 1765; son of Wm. Bridgers, patriot who helped N.C. troops during Rev. War. Direct descendant of Joseph Bridger (1628-1686), influential Royalist and member of Virginia House of Burgesses. See over.

(Reverse) Drury Bridges (Bridgers, Bridger) 1765-1840 - Bridges married Charity Calhoun in 1790; they had seven children. Active in the community, the couple became charter members of Donaldson Creek Baptist Church, 1814. Their home was later site of Maple Grove post office. Drury Bridges died in 1840; his wife in 1852. Both are buried in family cemetery nearby. Presented by The Thomas-Bridges Assn.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Creeks | Revolutionary War)

Empire Furnace
(Marker Number: 1357)

County: Trigg
Location: 71/2 mi. NW of Cadiz, KY 274

Description: Stood 1 mile west. Built 1843 by Thomas Tennessee Watson, it was a brick stack with a maximum inner diameter of 91/2 ft., 35 ft. high. It burned charcoal fuel, and its air blast was powered by steam. In 45 weeks of 1856, made 1836 tons of pig iron. Operations transferred to Center Furnace in 1861 because of floods, Civil War military actions. See other side.

(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Civil War | Iron Industry)

First Court of Trigg County
(Marker Number: 1838)

County: Trigg
Location: 4 mi. W. of Cadiz, US 68/80

Description: On May 15, 1820, justices of the peace, commissioned for the newly formed Trigg County, met at the log home of Samuel Orr, in the vicinity of this well, in town of Warrington. Composing the court were: Samuel Orr, Abraham Boyd, Ferdinand Wadlington, John Goode, William Scott, Presley Slaughter, James Daniel, Beman Fowler and Richard Dawson.

Golden Pond
(Marker Number: 1308)

County: Trigg
Location: Golden Pond, at park in town, US 68, KY 80

Description: A town from 1882-1969. Named for nearby pond which gives a golden reflection from the sunrays. It was originally two settlements, Fungo and Golden Pond, later becoming one. Twice destroyed by fire and rebuilt, 1898 and 1936. The town prospered from abundant natural resources in the area, the rich valley soils, the timbered hills, cool springs, iron ore, wildlife.

James Thomas, Sr.
(Marker Number: 1375)

County: Trigg
Location: 3.5 mi. W. of Jct. KY 139 & 807

Description: Served in Revolutionary War, l0th Regiment, Donoho's Company under General Nathanael Greene. Born in Bertie County, N.C. in 1760. Married Mary Standley in 1790. He migrated to Donaldson Creek, 1806, and settled on 200-acre Kentucky land grant. Built cabin 50 yards south of here. Died 1832; buried with wife in family graveyard 1/2 mile south. See over.

(Reverse) James Thomas, Sr. - First Thomas to settle permanently in area. Active in county affairs and served as justice of the peace. Seven children were: Cullen, Temperance, Starkie, Mary, Perry, and James, Jr., all born in N.C.; and Stanley, born in Kentucky. His descendants, who present this marker in his honor, have migrated to a number of states, although many still live in Trigg Co. Over.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Laura Furnace
(Marker Number: 998)

County: Trigg
Location: 6 mi. S. of Golden Pond, US 68

Description: Site of one of several furnaces operated in this region between the rivers, now lakes. This one, Laura, built 1855 by Tennesseans at cost of $40,000. Produced iron successfully, employing as many as 130, until Civil War forced it to close down. After the war it was in blast intermittently, but it could not be made profitable; was closed in 1872. See over.

(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Lower Donaldson School
(Marker Number: 1890)

County: Trigg
Location: Approx. 10 mi. S. of Cadiz, near shore of Lake Barkley

Description: One-room structure known as Dixon School, built 350 yds. S.W. in 1881. After building burned, new school was constructed in 1913; approximately 50 students attended each year. Pupils often competed with other schools in athletic and scholastic matches. Second building withstood 1937 Ohio Valley flood despite water that reached eaves. Presented by Former Students and Teachers.

(Reverse) Lower Donaldson School - School operated during seven-month school terms that began in July. Lower Donaldson also served as community center, with pie suppers and political meetings. School closed in 1958 and building razed in 1962, after U.S. Army Corps of Engineers bought property for Barkley Dam and Lake project. Partially funded by Ky. Bicentennial Commission.

(Subjects: Floods | Schools)

Maple Grove School
(Marker Number: 1840)

County: Trigg
Location: 7 mi. S.W. of Cadiz, Maple Grove Rd., 1/4 mi. off KY 1062

Description: An early log schoolhouse first was opened by teacher William Bridges (1800-1844), son of settlers Drury and Charity Bridges. Education continued in new concrete block school, erected in 1913. After serving the Trigg County community for many years, the school closed, 1949. Maple Grove Baptist Church was organized at school site, 1943. Presented by The Thomas-Bridges Association.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Schools)

Pres. Davis' Escort
(Marker Number: 872)

County: Trigg
Location: Near Canton, KY 80

Description: CSA Pres. Jefferson Davis, when attempting to escape in closing days of Civil War, was captured with his family in south Georgia, May 10, 1865. Lt. Hazard Perry Baker, chief of escort, presented his sword to Union commander as symbol of surrender of President of the Confederacy. Baker, native of Trigg Co., enlisted at start of war. Grave, 4 mi. south, KY 1254.

(Subjects: Confederate Army | Davis, Jefferson)

Site of Burnett Home
(Marker Number: 764)

County: Trigg
Location: W. of Cadiz, US 68

Description: Henry Cornelius Burnett, 1825-66, represented district, U.S. Congress, 1855-61. Presided at Russellville Convention in Nov., 1861, which formed Ky. provisional government. A member of Confederate Congress from Ky., 1861-65. After dispersal of CSA government from Richmond, sought pardon from President Andrew Johnson. When pardon was received, charges of treason were dropped.

St. Joseph's Parish
(Marker Number: 1100)

County: Trigg
Location: Triangle at Golden Pond, US 68

Description: Settlement of German immigrants founded the first Catholic Church in the county, 1882, a mission of the Louisville diocese. Prussian agriculture, architecture, and traditions flourished under their influence. Due to migration the parish declined about 1900, and the church was razed in 1925. Now the parish cemetery is all that remains of the European colony.

(Subjects: Catholic Church | Germans)

Stacker Furnace
(Marker Number: 1367)

County: Trigg
Location: Linton, KY 164

Description: Also called Olive Landing and Line Island, was built here by William Ewing and French Rayburn in 1845-46, and it afterward owned by Samuel Stacker. It had a steam-powered air blast. Using ore from deposits nearby and locally made charcoal fuel, it produced pig iron at intervals until 1856, when it was finally abandoned. See the other side.

(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Trigg Furnace
(Marker Number: 1380)

County: Trigg
Location: 2.4 mi. E. of Rockcastle, KY 274

Description: Built here in 1871 by the Daniel Hillman Iron Co. was a brick-and-stone blast furnace producing pig iron from locally mined ore. It burned charcoal fuel, and used steam power to blow preheated air through the stack. Most iron made here was processed at the works of the Tennessee Rolling Mills, 3 miles NW. Operations ceased by 1878. See the other side.

(Reverse) Iron Made in Kentucky - A major producer since 1791, Ky. ranked 3rd in US in 1830s, 11th in 1965. Charcoal timber, native ore, limestone supplied material for numerous furnaces making pig iron, utensils, munitions in the Hanging Rock, Red River, Between Rivers, Rolling Fork, Green River Regions. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Upper Donaldson School
(Marker Number: 1832)

County: Trigg
Location: KY 1175 [Old Dover Road] & Donaldson Creek Rd., 9 mi. S. of Cadiz

Description: Organized 1813, this grade school operated for 135 years. First teacher was Ephriam Cowand, whose salary was 4 barrels of corn and $2.00 per pupil. School met first at Donaldson Creek Church l1/2 mi. west; later used nearby log cabin, 1815-1910. One-room concrete block structure built 1911; used until 1948, when school consolidated. Presented by former students, teachers, and friends.

(Subjects: Schools)