KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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"Tommygun Inventor"
(Marker Number: 1706)

County: Campbell
Location: 3rd St. between Monmouth & York, Newport, US 127

Description: Brig. Gen. John T. Thompson, USA, inventor of Thompson submachine gun, was born here in 1860. A West Point graduate of 1882, he was early advocate of automatic weapons and improved many small arms. Awarded Distinguished Service Medal as Director of Arsenals in World War I. General Thompson died in 1940, lamenting the notoriety of the Tommygun as a gangster weapon.

(Subjects: West Point | World War I)

Bellevue Landmark
(Marker Number: 1506)

County: Campbell
Location: Taylor Ave. & Division St., Bellevue

Description: For many years the tower and nave of this edifice have served as an historic feature of Bellevue. The Sacred Heart Church, built 1874, was first house of worship in this city. Present building, erected 1892-93, was originally called Herz Jesu Kirche. At that time the parish ministered chiefly to the German-speaking population.

(Reverse) Bellevue Landmark - This structure, which resembles the provincial Bavarian churches, was designed by Cincinnati architect Louis Picket. Altars with ogee arches, elaborate niches, finials, architraves, and bar tracery were handcarved in Germany. The triple clerestory windows have stained glass of European narrative type. Murals created by local artists Leon Lippert and Theodore Brasch.

(Subjects: Artists | Catholic Church | Germans)

Bellevue, Kentucky
(Marker Number: 1351)

County: Campbell
Location: 24 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue, KY 8

Description: Incorporated March 15, 1870, on part of original land grant to Gen. James Taylor, pioneer, for whose farm this city was named. A general in War of 1812, banker, and statesman, whose farm was an underground railroad station. President of the first town trustees was George D. Allen. Hometown of Anna E. Wolfram, one of Kentucky's first women doctors.

(Subjects: War of 1812)

Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire
(Marker Number: 2237)

County: Campbell
Location: US 27, Southgate

Description: Site of Beverly Hills Supper Club, popular night spot from 1930s-70s. Burnt May 28, 1977 killing 165. Third worst nightclub fire in US; changed building-code enforcement. First disaster case tried as class action suit, merging 300 claims. Landmark litigation lasted years. Settlements of some $30 million. First mass tort action in USA.

(Reverse) Emergency squads came from miles around. Temporary morgue set up in nearby Ft. Thomas Armory. Families arrived for days searching for loved ones, as site smoldered. Story dominated the news. Probable cause was faulty aluminum wiring. Most people in area knew someone who lost family here. See reverse.

(Subjects: Fires)

Brent Spence (1874-1967)
(Marker Number: 1776)

County: Campbell
Location: Newport, Carothers Rd. & Monmouth St, US 27

Description: As chairman of U.S. House Banking and Currency Committee, Spence was a delegate to 44-nation Bretton Woods (N.H.) Conference, 1944, to promote fair commerce. This led to creating the International Monetary Fund and Bank, and Spence's sponsoring legislation in Congress. A Newport native and University of Cincinnati law graduate, he served in Ky. Senate, 1904-08; and U.S. House, 1931-63.

Dr. Thomas Hinde
(Marker Number: 1386)

County: Campbell
Location: Court & York Sts., Newport

Description: Northern Kentucky's first doctor. Born in Oxfordshire, England, on July 10, 1737. Graduate of Royal College of Physicians. Served at Quebec with Gen. James Wolfe. In 1765 settled in Virginia; the personal physician to Patrick Henry. Chief Surgeon, in 1775, for the "Gun Powder Expedition." Practiced medicine in Newport from the early 1800s until his death Sept. 28, 1828. Presented by Campbell-Kenton County Medical Society.

(Subjects: Henry, Patrick | Physicians)

Early Schoolhouse
(Marker Number: 1730)

County: Campbell
Location: Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights

Description: A part of cabin, moved here from Grants Lick area, stood adjacent to Gosney School, and typifies first schoolhouses of Campbell County. Forty-two were erected. Two of them-John's Hill (ca. 1880-1906) and St. John's (ca. 1847-1857)-were within three miles of here. This site is part of land patent of David Leitch, early settler. Presented by Northern Kentucky University.

(Reverse) Northern Kentucky University - Northern Ky. University began as an extension center of University of Ky., 1948. It became community college, 1962, and by 1976 was a state university. It moved here from Covington in 1972. The 300-acre NKU campus is part of land first surveyed in April and June 1785, and issued as land patents by Isaac Shelby in 1792. See over. Presented by Northern Kentucky University.

(Subjects: Schools | Shelby, Isaac | University of Kentucky)

Ft. Thomas Army Post
(Marker Number: 986)

County: Campbell
Location: Ft. Thomas Post, Ft. Thomas

Description: Established by Congress, 1887. Constructed at cost of $3,500,000 on about 111 acres, jurisdiction of which was ceded to U.S. by Kentucky Legislature, 1888. Post was designated Ft. Thomas, 1890. First commander was Col. Melville Cochran; first garrison two 6th infantry companies. Later parts of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10th Infantry Regiments were here. Now V.A. Hosp.

(Reverse) Rock of Chickamauga - Gen. George Henry Thomas for whom post was named. Born Va., 1816; West Point graduate. In Indian campaigns and Mexican War. In the Civil War, from Mill Springs, Ky., Jan. 1862, to Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 1864, he successfully led Federal forces in many principal engagements. Rated one of four top Union generals. Pacific Div. Commander at death, 1870. Over.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Mexican War | West Point)

General James Taylor Home
(Marker Number: 121)

County: Campbell
Location: E. 3rd & Overton St., Newport

Description: Underground railroad station. Mansion built by Gen. Taylor, pioneer, banker, statesman, general in the War of 1812. Original house designed by Benjamin H. Latrobe. Present house built, 1837.

(Subjects: Architects)

Grant's Lick
(Marker Number: 1642)

County: Campbell
Location: Grant's Lick, at Grant's Lick Funeral Home, Old US 27

Description: Ca. 1793, salt water found here by Samuel Bryan, a nephew of Daniel Boone. John Grant, another Boone nephew, and Charles Morgan helped him drill well, which supplied salt to interior of Ky. This territory was owned by John Grant and named for him. John Breckinridge, who also claimed land in area, formed partnership with him. In 1804, James Taylor became third partner.

(Reverse) Grant's Lick - First Court of Quarter Sessions met in John Grant's home, in nearby Wilmington, June 1795. James Taylor was appointed first clerk of Campbell County; Samuel Bryan was among those appointed Justices of the Peace. Grant was authorized to keep a ferry and to build a mill. All three men took part in marking out and planning local roads. Over.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel)

Hon. Henry Stanbery
(Marker Number: 1059)

County: Campbell
Location: 2126 N. Ft. Thomas Ave., Ft. Thomas, US 27

Description: Site of his home, 1857 to 1881. Attorney-General of U.S., 1866-68. Resigned to become one of counsel for President Andrew Johnson in impeachment trial by U.S. Senate, 1868. Johnson reappointed him, but Senate refused to confirm. Resumed practice of law, Cincinnati, 1868. First Att. Gen. of Ohio, 1846-51. Member Ohio Const. Conv. of 1850. b. N.Y., 1803. Buried Cin., 1881.

Kenton Furnace
(Marker Number: 1434)

County: Campbell
Location: 4th & Park Ave., Newport

Description: Built at foot of Park Avenue in 1869 by the Kenton Iron Co., to supply iron to a foundry making pipe and structural materials. It was 58 ft. high and 15 ft. across at widest point inside, burning coke fuel and powered by steam. In 1877, the machinery was taken down, and assembled again at Greendale, Ohio, beginning to operate in 1879. 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, and munitions throughout the northern and western portions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Old charcoal-furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Kentucky's Nineteenth
(Marker Number: 889)

County: Campbell
Location: Alexandria, Courthouse lawn, US 27

Description: Campbell County formed, 1794, of parts of Mason, Scott, and Harrison counties, Ky., by legislative act. Named for Col. John Campbell, a Revolutionary War officer, and a Ky. pioneer and statesman. Boone, Kenton, parts of Pendleton and Bracken counties later taken from Campbell County. In 1796 county seat was established at Newport and in 1840 moved to Alexandria.

Leitch's Station, 1789
(Marker Number: 117)

County: Campbell
Location: Park 'N Ride on KY 9, Wilder

Description: Site of first white settlement in Campbell County. Established by Major David Leitch (1753-1794), aide-de-camp to General Lawson during the Revolutionary War.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Revolutionary War)

Licking Furnace
(Marker Number: 1395)

County: Campbell
Location: 4th St., in front of Newport Mall, KY 8

Description: Built three blocks east in 1859 by Swift's Iron and Steel Works. As rebuilt in 1869, it was 65 feet high, with a maximum diameter inside of 16 feet. Its annual capacity was 17,000 tons of iron, using Connellsville coke as fuel. Iron mostly converted to steel at same works. Furnace ceased operating by 1888. See over. Presented by Newport Works Interlake, Inc.

(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, and munitions throughout the northern and western portions of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Old charcoal-furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Mary Ingles
(Marker Number: 163)

County: Campbell
Location: Silver Grove, KY 8 at Oak St.

Description: Said to have been first white woman in Kentucky. Captured by Indians in Virginia, July 1755, and taken to Ohio. Later she escaped a salt-making party at Big Bone Lick and made her way across the Kentucky wilderness back to Virginia.

(Subjects: Salt Works)

Newport Barracks
(Marker Number: 599)

County: Campbell
Location: Newport, Riverfront Park

Description: An early army post, built in 1804, at junction of Licking and Ohio Rivers. In War of 1812 used as a military prison. Kentucky troops assembled here for the Canadian invasion, 1813. Used for training volunteers during Mexican War. Headquarters of Southern District, US Army, until Civil War, then Union recruiting depot. Granted to city by United States Congress, 1894.

(Subjects: Mexican War | War of 1812)

Newport-War of 1812
(Marker Number: 507)

County: Campbell
Location: Newport, Courthouse lawn, KY 8

Description: Kentuckians crossed here August 1812 marching to relieve Gen. Hull at Detroit. Took Frenchtown (Monroe) on January 18, 1813. Four days later all but 30 were killed or captured. Other Kentuckians gathered here Aug. 31, 1813. Led by Governor Shelby these men defeated British and Indians in Battle of Thames in Canada Oct. 5, 1813. This ended fighting in the Old Northwest.

(Subjects: Raisin River, Battle of | Shelby, Isaac | Thames, Battle of | War of 1812)

Samuel Woodfill
(Marker Number: 990)

County: Campbell
Location: Samuel Woodfill School, Ft. Thomas, US 27

Description: "Outstanding soldier of the AEF," Gen. Pershing. "The first soldier of America," Marshall Foch. Given Congressional Medal of Honor, the French Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. Alone he destroyed three machine gun nests, killing 19 foe at Cunel, France, on Oct. 12, 1918. Born, Ind., 1883. Campbell County, Ky., farmer. Major, World War II. Interred Arlington Cemetery, 1951.

(Subjects: Medal of Honor Winners | World War I)

Southgate Street School
(Marker Number: 2071)

County: Campbell
Location: Southgate St., Newport

Description: In 1870, the Newport City Council purchased property for a school for African Americans, and three years later a frame house constructed. Elizabeth Hudson was appointed first African American teacher at salary of $35 per month. Two major events of 1893 were school's first commencement and second floor addition. High school closed, 1921.

(Reverse) Southgate Street School - In 1955, a desegregation program was submitted to the school board and the school was dissolved. All African American students through eleventh grade could then attend Newport schools. Twelfth-grade students continued at William Grant, and teachers went on to positions in other Newport schools. Presented by Newport Lodge No. 120, O.E.S. Newport Chapter No. 105, and the Ky. African American Heritage Commission.

(Subjects: African American | Schools)

St. Paul's Church
(Marker Number: 1151)

County: Campbell
Location: Newport, across from Courthouse, US 27 South

Description: For a century and a quarter, a St. Paul's Episcopal Church has stood on this corner. Since 1871, the bell in the towering spire atop this native stone church has rung for services. Here worshipped Gen. James Taylor, War of 1812; Henry Stanbery, who defended President Andrew Johnson at his impeachment trial, 1868; Brent Spence, 37 yrs. in Congress, a lifetime member.

(Subjects: Episcopal Church)

William H. Horsfall
(Marker Number: 1867)

County: Campbell
Location: Evergreen Cem., Alexandria Pk., Southgate

Description: One of youngest Kentuckians to receive the Medal of Honor for service during Civil War is buried in Evergreen Cem. Horsfall, born in Newport, 1847, was a drummer in Co. G, First Ky. Infantry (USA). Medal was awarded for saving the life of a wounded officer lying between the lines during combat at Corinth, Mississippi, May 21, 1862. This war hero died in 1922.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Medal of Honor Winners)