KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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A Governor for Tennessee
(Marker Number: 1333)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro-Daviess Co. Airport

Description: Albert Smith Marks birthplace site, October 16, 1836. Moved to Tennessee at age 19. Served as the 24th governor of that state, 1879-81, following distinguished service in Civil War. Enlisted early in the Confederacy, rising to rank of colonel. Battle of Perryville, 1862. Severely wounded Battle of Murfreesborough, December 31, 1862. "One of best officers in division."

(Subjects: Civil War | Perryville, Battle of)

Bethabara Baptist Church
(Marker Number: 1873)

County: Daviess
Location: 7 mi. SE of Owensboro at Habit, Jct. KY 142 & 762

Description: This congregation was organized on Oct. 5, 1825, in log house. New meeting house, on the site of present cemetery, built 1832. Current brick church erected in 1854, with clay from the original site. Six churches have grown from Bethabara: Macedonia, Sugar Grove, Hopewell, Karn's Grove, Friendship, and Dawson. Presented by Bethabara Baptist Church.

(Subjects: Baptist Church)

Bill Smothers Park
(Marker Number: 744)

County: Daviess
Location: Park at lst & St. Ann Sts., Owensboro

Description: Site of home of William Smeathers (Bill Smothers), who in 1797-98 made first permanent settlement at Yellow Banks, now Owensboro. Officer in Kentucky's "Corn Stalk" Militia in 1803 and on expedition up the Wabash River against the Indians in the War of 1812 under General Samuel Hopkins. He then went to Texas as an Indian hunter and guide. Died there, 1837.

(Subjects: Indians | War of 1812)

Buffalo Road
(Marker Number: 1307)

County: Daviess
Location: 1st & Frederica Sts., Owensboro

Description: Buffalo herds opened first road in wilderness to present site of Owensboro. Bill Smothers, the pioneer settler of Yellow Banks, followed trail from Rough Creek, near present day Hartford, to Ohio River. Built his cabin at end of road, near here, 1797-98. An old court record says the buffalo road was a "place of great resort for that kind of game."

(Subjects: Ohio River)

Col. Algernon S. Thruston
(Marker Number: 1843)

County: Daviess
Location: Thruston Elem. School, 4 mi. E. of Owensboro, KY 144

Description: Lawyer, soldier and farmer. Born in Louisville 1801, died 1864 at Thruston. Went to Texas with company of volunteers in 1836. Commissary General of Purchases (1837) and Quartermaster General (1838) for the Republic of Texas. Political ally of President Sam Houston. Practiced law in Houston. Returned to Daviess County in 1854. Presented by Nettie Sweeney Rhodes.

(Reverse) Algernon Sidney Thruston - This community became known as Thruston. Algernon's father, Col. John Thruston, at age 16, served at Kaskaskia and Vincennes with General Clark in Revolutionary War. Algernon's grandfather, Rev. and Col. Charles Mynn Thruston of Va., was "a fighting parson" of the Revolution. Charles received 15,000 acres in Daviess and Ohio counties for military services.

(Subjects: Clark, George Rogers | Revolutionary War | World War I)

Confederate Congressional Medal of Honour
(Marker Number: 1183)

County: Daviess
Location: 3rd & Frederica Sts., Owensboro, Courthouse lawn

Description: The President, CSA, in 1862, was authorized to confer a Medal of Honour upon one enlisted man of each company for "every signal victory." At first dress-parade, thereafter, the men engaged in the battle chose, by vote, the soldier most worthy to receive this honour. 72 Kentuckians coming from 34 counties were so honoured. Three were from Daviess County. Over.

(Reverse) Daviess County CSA Medalists

STONE'S RIVER
Dec. 31, 1862-Jan. 2, 1863

Albert M. Hathaway, 2nd Lt., Co. K, 4th Ky. Inf.

CHICKAMAUGA:
Sept. 19-20, 1863

John L. Bell, 2nd Lt., Co. K, 4th Ky. Inf., Killed in action;
Mathias Garrett, Corp., Co. K, 4th Ky. Inf.

(Subjects: Confederate Army | Medal of Honor Winners)

Cornland
(Marker Number: 883)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro Belt Line & US 60

Description: Site of home, prior to 1809, of Colonel Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, killed at Tippecanoe, 1811. As US Dist. Atty. for Ky., he prosecuted Aaron Burr for treason in 1806. This county, others in Ind., Ill., Mo., named for this able, zealous patriot. George M. Bibb, twice US Senator, Sec., US Treas., 1884-85, and Philip Triplett, US Congressman, 1839-43, later owned Cornland.

(Subjects: Bibb, George M. | Burr, Aaron | Tippecanoe, Battle of)

Courthouse Burned
(Marker Number: 590)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro, Courthouse lawn, US 60

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 reverse side. Jan. 4, 1865, the courthouse at Owensboro, occupied by Union troops, was burned by guerrillas. The records of all county offices saved by the respective officers.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses Burned)

Daviess Countians Who Served
(Marker Number: 1456)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro, Courthouse lawn, US 60

Description: During World War I approximately 80,000 men enlisted from Kentucky. Of this number 1,747 that answered the call to serve, between April 1917 and November 1918, were from Daviess County. Seventy-one were killed in action and seventy-six others wounded. This marker erected to honor these soldiers for all time to come. Sponsored by 82 buddies of Yellow Banks Barracks 2429.

(Subjects: World War I)

Daviess County
(Marker Number: 1158)

County: Daviess
Location: N. of entrance to Daviess Co. H. S., US 231

Description: Formed in 1815 out of Ohio County. Named for Col. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss. As US attorney for Ky., he prosecuted Aaron Burr in 1806 for treason, in plotting to seize Spanish territory, a friendly nation; but he did not obtain a conviction. Joined army of Gen. William Henry Harrison. Killed at Battle of Tippecanoe, 1811, in a charge made at his own urging.

(Subjects: Burr, Aaron | Harrison, William Henry | Tippecanoe, Battle of)

First Coal by Rail
(Marker Number: 743)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro, US 60 & Ewing Rd.

Description: Robert Triplett built the first railway in Kentucky, 1826. Coal was moved from Bon Harbor hills to steamboats on the Ohio River. Triplett the first to get coal substituted for wood as fuel on river boats below Louisville. Coal was shipped south, sold by barrel. Built cotton, woolen mills and laid out town of Bon Harbor, 1842, 21/2 mi. N., which failed.

(Subjects: Coal)

George Graham Vest
(Marker Number: 1436)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro, Courthouse lawn, US 60

Description: Established Owensboro's second newspaper, The Gazette, near here in 1852, with Robert S. Triplett, an Owensboro businessman. Vest was U.S. Senator from Missouri, 1879-1903. Author of world famous "Tribute To A Dog." This spontaneous oration in court in defense of a backwoodsman's dog, "Old Drum," won case for the client and gained George G. Vest world fame.

(Reverse) "Tribute to a Dog" - "The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have . . . the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog. . . . He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains."-From a pleading before a jury by George Graham Vest.

(Subjects: Authors | Newspapers)

George Mason
(Marker Number: 1081)

County: Daviess
Location: E. of Owensboro at Green River Steel Mill, US 60

Description: About 60,000 acres along Panther Creek and Green River owned by George Mason, author of Virginia Bill of Rights and Constitution, 1776. Designed Virginia State Seal. Member Continental Congress, 1777, and United States Constitutional Convention. A Virginian, friend and neighbor of George Washington. Died, 1792, without visiting Kentucky. Grandson George W. Mason lived near here.

(Subjects: Washington, George)

Hawes Family Cemetery
(Marker Number: 1918)

County: Daviess
Location: Yelvington, KY 662

Description: Richard Hawes (1772-1829) and wife Clary Walker Hawes (1776-1848) came here 1810 from Va. Their son Richard was Confederate governor of Ky. After husband's death, Clary was licensed to operate Hawesville and Cannelton ferry, 1831. Cemetery long maintained by Col. Benjamin Walker Hawes; he formed board of trustees for its future care. Presented by Hawes Family Assoc.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Ferry)

Hazen A. Dean (1899-1984)
(Marker Number: 1747)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro, at Settle Memorial Methodist Church

Description: First Kentuckian to receive "70 Continuous Years of Service Award" from Boy Scouts of America, 1983. Scoutmaster for over 50 years; with Owensboro's oldest troop, 24, from 1949 till death. Among many honors, he received Scoutmaster's Key and Silver Beaver awards. Recognized for having 86 Eagle Scouts, most in nation; received Lt. Governor's Outstanding Kentuckian Award, 1982.

Home of Thomas Clay
(Marker Number: 1079)

County: Daviess
Location: 2 mi. from Jct. US 60 on KY 405

Description: Revolutionary War Captain. Member, from Madison Co., 1792 and 1799, Ky. Constitutional Conventions; Ky. House of Rep., 1792-93, and 1796-98; Ky. Senate, 1793-95. Came here in 1812. Cousin of John Clay, father of renowned Ky. statesman Henry Clay, and uncle of Cassius Marcellus Clay, famed Kentuckian of Civil War period. Grandfather of U.S. Senator T. C. McCreery.

(Subjects: Clay, Cassius M. | Constitutional Convention (1799) | Revolutionary War)

Madison's Land
(Marker Number: 1242)

County: Daviess
Location: 2 mi. E. of Sorgho, KY 54

Description: James Madison, 4th U.S. president, and wife, Dolly, owned 2,000 acres along Panther Creek, now Daviess County. Land held by them until sold in smaller acreages, 1832-34. Madison was member of Continental Congress, 1780-83, 86-88, and of Federal Constitutional Convention, 1787. Member of first Congresses, 1789-97. Sec. of State, 1801-09. President of United States, 1809-17.

(Subjects: Creeks | Madison, James)

Moneta J. Sleet, Jr. (1926-1996)
(Marker Number: 2036)

County: Daviess
Location: Owensboro, 714 W. 7th St.

Description: Born in Owensboro, Sleet was a graduate of Ky. State College and New York Univ. Beginning in 1955, he worked as photojournalist for Jet and Ebony magazines for 41 yrs. During the 1950s-60s, his photos documented the African struggle for independence and the American civil rights movement. He inspired a generation of photographers. Presented by City of Owensboro and Messenger-Inquirer.

(Reverse) Pulitzer Prize Winner - As friend of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., Sleet covered the Selma to Montgomery (Ala.) March and later King's Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. In 1969, he won Pulitzer Prize for photo of Coretta Scott King at Dr. King's funeral (first African American photographer to receive this award). His work has been part of numerous museum exhibitions.

(Subjects: African American | Civil Rights | Kentucky State College | King, Rev. Martin Luther, Jr. | Schools)

Mount Saint Joseph
(Marker Number: 907)

County: Daviess
Location: Saint Joseph, KY 56

Description: Mount Saint Joseph Motherhouse and Academy, the first motherhouse for Sisters in western Kentucky, the oldest operating girls' academy in Daviess County, founded August 14, 1874, by Rev. Paul Joseph Volk under auspices of Bishop George McCloskey of Louisville. Mother Aloysius Willett of Union County elected first Superior of the autonomous Ursuline house in 1912.

(Subjects: Catholic Church | Schools | Women)

Old Trinity Centre
(Marker Number: 1500)

County: Daviess
Location: 403 W. Fifth St., Owensboro, US 231

Description: Erected in 1875, this building is the oldest example of Gothic architecture in Western Kentucky. Served as Trinity Episcopal Church, oldest brick church building in Owensboro, until 1964, when it was occupied by The Cliff Hagan Boys' Club. The property was acquired by the city of Owensboro, and, in 1973, the building was dedicated to be used as a community center.

(Subjects: Episcopal Church)

Panther Creek Battle
(Marker Number: 745)

County: Daviess
Location: 7.5 mi. S. of Owensboro, US 431

Description: Sept. 19, 1862, Confederate force occupied Owensboro. USA troops at old Fairground refused demand for surrender. Skirmish followed. Union soldier swam Ohio River to summon help from Indiana Legion. CSA retired to here. Home Guards from Indiana crossed river and attacked next day. CSA retreated with 36 killed, 70 wounded. USA loss, 3 killed and 35 wounded.

(Subjects: Civil War | Ohio River)

Sassafras Tree
(Marker Number: 1192)

County: Daviess
Location: 2100 Frederica St., Owensboro

Description: This giant tree, first mentioned for its size in 1883, has been an historic landmark in Daviess County for several centuries. Believed to be 250 or 300 years old, it measures over 100 feet tall, with a circumference of 16 feet. It is probably the largest of its kind in the world, and is registered with American Forestry Association as largest in U.S.

(Subjects: Trees)

Senator McCreery Home
(Marker Number: 1304)

County: Daviess
Location: Griffith Ave., Owensboro Public Lib.

Description: Homesite of Thomas Clay McCreery. Born in 1816. He died in 1890. He was one of Daviess County's most distinguished natives, an accomplished lawyer, orator, and farmer. A presidential elector 1852, 1856, 1860. United States senator from 1868-71, elected to fill an unexpired term, and from 1873-1879. Grandson of Thomas Clay, a Revolutionary War officer, legislator.

Stirman's Folly
(Marker Number: 1478)

County: Daviess
Location: 519 Locust St., Owensboro

Description: This imposing Victorian structure built circa 1860 by Dr. William Doswell Stirman, who was a successful physician. Received its name because he spent a fortune building it. In 1915, Samuel R. Ewing, civic leader and tobacco farmer, purchased and remodeled the house. He entertained Clara Barton, founder of the American Red Cross, and other notables here.

(Subjects: Physicians)

Uncle Tom Lived Here
(Marker Number: 1241)

County: Daviess
Location: 2.5 mi. E of KY 405 on US 60

Description: Site of Riley family homeplace, owners of Josiah Henson, one of the characters on which Harriet Beecher Stowe based her 1852 novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. Henson served as overseer of Amos Riley's farms, 1825-29. On learning owner planned to sell him "down the river," he escaped to Canada, living there rest of life. Invited to visit Mrs. Stowe in Andover, Mass., 1849.

(Subjects: Slavery)

Union Station
(Marker Number: 1746)

County: Daviess
Location: 1035 Frederica, US 431, Owensboro

Description: Built 1905-6, on site of the Louisville, Henderson and St. Louis depot. It represents an agreement between the Louisville, Henderson and St. Louis; the Louisville and Nashville; and the Illinois Central railroads to provide Union Station for Owensboro. The plans were drawn by John B. Hutchings and Henry F. Hawes; contractor, Walter Brashear.

(Subjects: Architects | Louisville and Nashville Railroad | Railroads)