KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Civil War Generals
(Marker Number: 603)

County: Green
Location: Greensburg, Courthouse lawn, KY 61

Description: Union Generals from Greensburg. Major General William T. Ward, 1808-1878. U. S. Congressman 1851-53. He recruited three regiments in this area. On Sept. 2, 1864 Atlanta surrendered to him. In Sherman's March to Sea. Brig. Gen. E. H. Hobson, 1825-1901, leader of 13th Ky. Inf., engaged at Shiloh, Corinth, Perryville. July 1863, pursued Morgan across Ky. to his capture in N.E. Ohio.

(Subjects: Civil War | Sherman, William T.)

Cumberland Trace
(Marker Number: 1311)

County: Green
Location: 1 mi. N. of Greensburg, KY 61 at Trace Creek

Description: The road over which most pioneers traveled westward across Kentucky. After Declaration of Independence, pioneers moved westward at an ever-increasing rate to claim frontier. This offshoot of the Wilderness Road turned west at Logan's Fort, Lincoln Co., passing through here. Glover's Station, now Greensburg, and Pittman's Station were settled along this trail in 1779 and 1780.

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

Green County, 1792
(Marker Number: 1239)

County: Green
Location: Greensburg, Courthouse lawn, KY 61

Description: Formed from parts of Lincoln and Nelson counties. The last of seven formed during first legislature. Named for General Nathanael Greene, who, in the Revolutionary War, commanded a unit at Boston, 1776; helped plan defense of New York; fought at Trenton, Brandywine and Monmouth. Sent south by Washington. Greene's Carolina campaign forced British to leave Charleston, 1782.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War | Washington, George)

Greensburg Courthouse
(Marker Number: 165)

County: Green
Location: Greensburg, US 68

Description: One of the oldest public buildings still standing in Kentucky. Built between 1802-1804 by Robert Ball, Edward Bullock, Thomas Metcalfe, Walter Bullock and Daniel Lisle. Used as courthouse for 135 years. Jane Todd Crawford Library on second floor.

(Subjects: Courthouses | McDowell, Ephraim)

Home of Early Minister
(Marker Number: 844)

County: Green
Location: Greensburg, KY 61, near old courthouse

Description: Home of the Rev. David Rice, founder of first Presbyterian churches west of Alleghenies, 1784. Born in Va., 1733; moved to Danville, Ky. in 1788 after having founded "Rice's School," or Transylvania Seminary, near there, 1785. Member, State Constitutional Convention, 1792; urged gradual emancipation. Came here, 1798, forming in this area two churches. Died age 83.

(Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1792) | Presbyterian Church | Transylvania University)

Iron in Green County
(Marker Number: 1080)

County: Green
Location: N. of Brush Creek, KY 61

Description: Three iron furnaces built along Brush Creek after iron ore was found in 1815. Jacob Holderman and Charles Wilkins built furnace and forge in 1816, 10 miles downstream. Joseph Harrison erected furnace, 1819, downstream 7 miles. Forge produced household wares, tools. 2 miles from here, Green Springs Furnace built, 1832. All operated until late 1830s. 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. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Jane Todd Crawford
(Marker Number: 183)

County: Green
Location: 71/2 mi. S. of Greensburg, KY 61

Description: This pioneer woman rode a horse from this home sixty-four miles to Danville. On Christmas Day 1809 was operated on by Ephraim McDowell, M.D., for an ovarian tumor. Four weeks later she came back after recuperating from the world's first ovariotomy.

(Subjects: McDowell, Ephraim)

Lincoln's Law Partner
(Marker Number: 846)

County: Green
Location: Greensburg, old courthouse lawn

Description: Birthplace of William H. Herndon, 1818. Family moved to Illinois, 1820. An anti-slavery advocate and partner with Abraham Lincoln in practice of law, 1844-61. Herndon, Mayor of Springfield; State Bank examiner. After Lincoln's death, devoted life to biography of his friend. Wrote "Herndon's Lincoln: The True Story of a Great Life," 1889. Died 1891, Springfield, Illinois.

(Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham)

Lincoln's Mentor
(Marker Number: 719)

County: Green
Location: 8 mi. N. of Greensburg, KY 61

Description: Three miles west, birthplace of Mentor Graham, 1800-86, "The Man Who Taught Lincoln." Sixty years a teacher. Green County 1818-26. After Illinois voted down slavery, moved to New Salem, 1826. There, from 1831-37, as tutor and friend, he had incalculable influence on Abraham Lincoln, his public life. Graham died at 86, South Dakota. Reburied at New Salem, Ill., 1933.

(Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham)

Long Hunter Camp
(Marker Number: 148)

County: Green
Location: 8 mi. S. of Greensburg, off KY 61

Description: Long Hunter collection camp. In 1771, a small party of Long Hunters surprised Daniel Boone. He was alone and singing when found.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Long Hunters)

Unique Father and Son
(Marker Number: 1082)

County: Green
Location: Greensburg, US 68 opposite "Old Courthouse,"

Description: Reuben Creel, Greensburg native, appointed by Lincoln as consul from U.S. to Chihuahua, Mexico, 1863. Served until 1866. His son Enrique C., in turn, served as ambassador from Mexico to U.S., 1907-09. Reuben went to Mexico with Gen. Ward, Greensburg native, serving as his interpreter during Mexican War. Remained after the war. Early home stands here. See over.

(Reverse) Unique Father and Son - Enrique Creel born in Mexico, 1854. Wealthy banker. Member Mexican National Congress, 1898-1904. Was ambassador to U.S., 1907-09. Governor of Chihauhua. Served as official interpreter at meeting of Pres. Taft and Mexican Pres. Diaz in 1912. Minister of Foreign Affairs until Revolution of 1913, when his property was confiscated. Fled to United States. Died in Mexico, 1931. Over.

(Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham | Mexican War)