KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Barren County, 1798
(Marker Number: 1255)

County: Barren
Location: Courthouse lawn, US 31-E, 68, Glasgow

Description: Taken from parts of Green and Warren counties. Glasgow, county seat, was founded in 1799. County received name from the "barrens" or prairies of this region. Early explorers and settlers came through this area. In Civil War, first two of Morgan's Raids moved through here, 1862. The CSA invasion of Kentucky under Gen. Braxton Bragg entered here, 1862.

(Subjects: Bragg, Braxton | Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Bear Wallow
(Marker Number: 698)

County: Barren
Location: US 31-E at Hart Co. line, Bear Wallow

Description: On CSA invasion of Kentucky, resulting in battle of Perryville, General Leonidas Polk's wing moved thru here, September 16, 1862, to attack USA troops at Munfordville. Two of Kentucky raids by CSA Gen. John Hunt Morgan's cavalry routed thru here, July 10 and December 25, 1862. On second raid, skirmish here failed to retard the CSA. See map other side.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt | Polk, Leonidas K.)

Bell's Tavern
(Marker Number: 1039)

County: Barren
Location: 2 blocks off US 31-W, Park City

Description: Erected by Wm. Bell, 1830. Stage stop for his lines that brought visitors to Mammoth Cave when first promoted. Famed in U.S. and Europe for elite patrons, cuisine and magic peach and honey brandy for "Joy before the journey's end," until it burned 1860. Civil War doomed completion of new tavern begun by grandson, Wm. F. Bell, and his stepfather, George M. Proctor.

(Subjects: Civil War | Stagecoach Stops | Mammoth Cave)

Cave City Raid
(Marker Number: 1489)

County: Barren
Location: Public Park, KY 70, Cave City

Description: CSA General John Hunt Morgan and a company of troops arrived here, May 11, 1862. They seized a train reported to be carrying some of Morgan's men captured at Lebanon, Tenn. Instead, it carried railroad employees whom he released. Morgan burned the train; later detained a second one carrying passengers. Among them were two officers of the command of Col. Frank Wolford, USA.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Christmas Mishap
(Marker Number: 544)

County: Barren
Location: Courthouse lawn, US 31-E, 68, Glasgow

Description: On Dec. 24, 1862, main body of Morgan's Raiders made camp south of here. Capt. Quirk and scouts entered town although USA troops patrolled area. CSA scouts wished to celebrate Christmas Eve, and dismounted at tavern. A patrol of 2nd Michigan Cavalry, USA, rode up with same desire. After skirmish, with slight losses, both parties stampeded without a celebration.

(Subjects: Morgan's Raiders)

Confederate Congressional Medal of Honour
(Marker Number: 1133)

County: Barren
Location: Courthouse lawn, US 31-E, 68, Glasgow

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. More Confederates from Barren than any other Kentucky county received this medal. See over.

(Reverse) Barren County CSA Medalists

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

Enoch S. Jones, Corp., Co. D, 6th Ky. Inf.
James Beverly Lewis, lst Sgt., Co. C, 6th Ky. Inf.
Thomas W. Payne, Pvt., Co. E, 6th Ky. Inf.
George Walter Rogers, Corp., Co. A, 4th Ky. Inf.

CHICKAMAUGA
Sept. 19-20, 1863

Marcellus Smith Mathews, Pvt., Co. D, 6th Ky. Inf.
Bayard Taylor Smith, 2nd Lt., Co. A, 4th Ky. Inf.
Ephraim R. Smith, Corp., Co. A, 4th Ky. Inf.

(Subjects: Confederate Army | Medal of Honor Winners)

Diamond Caverns
(Marker Number: 2259)

County: Barren
Location: 1900 Mammoth Cave Pkwy., Park City

Description: On July 14, 1859, a slave was lowered into a pit discovered on the farm of Jesse Coats. He saw glistening calcite crystals that he thought were diamonds. The first public tour was made by a wedding party on August 19,1859. Guidebooks were written about the cave and its beautiful limestone formations. Over

(Reverse) The cave is famed for its pristine cave formations, and was shown with Mammoth Cave in the late 1800s. Mammoth Cave Railroad ran nearby. Passages found in 1936 doubled the length of the cave. It is the second-oldest show cave in Kentucky and the fourth-oldest continuously visited commercial cave in the United States. Over

(Subjects: Mammoth Cave | Caves)

First Presbyterian Church
(Marker Number: 1951)

County: Barren
Location: 200 E. Washington St., Glasgow

Description: Congregation formed ca. 1802, when Isaac Robertson, a member, donated lot for log structure erected here. Rev. John Howe was first minister. Present Gothic Revival sanctuary built ca. 1853. Church's style of architecture features Tudor-arched window and door openings and brick pilasters. Site of town's oldest cemetery located behind church. Presented by Church Memorial Committee.

(Subjects: Presbyterian Church)

Fort Williams
(Marker Number: 1290)

County: Barren
Location: Between Glasgow Municipal Cem. & US 31-E bypass, Glasgow

Description: Site of Civil War fort built in spring of 1863. Attacked Oct. 6 by Confederate Col. John M. Hughs and his 25th Tenn. Infantry. US troops under Maj. Samuel Martin surprised. Over 200 horses captured, part of fort burned, and 142 men taken prisoner, later paroled. In nearby cemetery is buried Gen. Joseph H. Lewis, Commander of lst Kentucky (Orphan) Brigade, CSA.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forts and Stations)

Gen. Joseph H. Lewis, 1824-1904
(Marker Number: 1317)

County: Barren
Location: US 31-W, Cave City

Description: Confederate Brigadier General, commanded famous "Orphan Brigade" in Civil War. In 1861 he conducted recruiting and training camp here. State legislature, 1850-54, 69-70. US Congress, 1870-73. Member of Kentucky Court of Appeals for 24 years, 1874-98. Its chief justice six years. Born in Barren County, he is buried in Glasgow Cemetery.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Civil War)

Home of Arthur Krock
(Marker Number: 1718)

County: Barren
Location: East Main St., KY 90, at May St., Glasgow

Description: Called dean of Washington newsmen, Glasgow's native son (1886-1974) grew up here with his grandparents, Emmanuel and Henrietta Morris. He began his career in journalism with the Louisville Herald, then went to Washington, D.C., as a correspondent for the Times and Courier-Journal. Krock won French citation after his coverage of the Versailles peace conference. Over.

(Reverse) Historic Home - In 1927, Krock joined the New York Times; soon became its Washington correspondent and bureau chief. His column, "In the Nation," was noted for its opinions on public policy. Over his 60-year career, Arthur Krock knew 11 presidents and won four Pulitzer Prizes. Joel Cheek, who also lived here, was one of two founders of the Maxwell House Coffee Company. Over.

(Subjects: Courier-Journal (Louisville) | Journalists | Louisville | Newspapers)

Home of Gov. Leslie
(Marker Number: 609)

County: Barren
Location: US 31-E, 68, Glasgow

Description: Preston H. Leslie, born Ky., 1819. Died Montana, 1907. Completed term of Gov. John Stevenson from Feb. to Sept., 1871, when elected 27th Governor of Kentucky. Known for his sound judgment of State affairs and meeting the needs of growing population and business. Territorial Governor of Montana, 1887-89, US District Attorney, 1894-98. Appointed by Pres. Cleveland.

(Subjects: Cleveland, Grover | Governors)

Long Hunters' Camp
(Marker Number: 635)

County: Barren
Location: .5 mi. N. Jct. with KY 90, US 31-E

Description: Henry Skaggs and two companions trapping beaver, winter 1770-71, were probably first white men in the area. Named Long Hunters due to long period away from home in the East. Came through Cumberland Gap, 1769, in party led by James Knox. Skaggs' group left the main party to spend the winter here. Friendly with the Indians, Skaggs brought many pioneers here later.

(Subjects: Cumberland Gap | Long Hunters)

Luska Joseph Twyman (1913-1988)
(Marker Number: 2019)

County: Barren
Location: Glasgow Public Square, Beulah Nunn Park, Glasgow

Description: Born in Hiseville (Barren Co.). Graduate of Kentucky State Univ.; later member of Board of Regents. Also studied at Indiana Univ. and Peabody Coll. As principal of Ralph J. Bunche School, Twyman led its merger with Glasgow High School to achieve integration. On Kentucky Education Association Board of Directors. Buried, Bear Wallow Cem.

(Reverse) Luska Joseph Twyman - Twyman was first African American elected to a full term as mayor of a Ky. city (Glasgow). Served 1968-1985. He was first black Kentuckian on U.S. Commission of Agriculture; served on Ky. Advisory Committee of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. He was in U.S. Army during WW II in Philippines, 1942-1946. Presented by City of Glasgow.

(Subjects: African American | Civil Rights | Schools | World War II)

Partisan Protected
(Marker Number: 1365)

County: Barren
Location: Park, Jct. KY 571 & 740

Description: Civil War's first Kentucky Federal death, Oct. 10, 1861, 4 miles east. A Union company slipped through graveyard at night to arrest C. B. Hutcherson, a local Southern sympathizer. Ten poorly equipped recruits from CSA camp of Gen. Joseph Lewis, sent to guard him, were attacked, but defeated enemy. Federals fled with one dead, seven wounded. There was no CSA loss.

(Subjects: Civil War | Union Army)

Settles Rifles
(Marker Number: 687)

County: Barren
Location: KY 252, SW of Glasgow

Description: Prized by frontiersmen, now rare collectors' items; they were made by three Settle generations in Barren County. Starting in 1800, William made flintlocks at Rocky Hill. A son, Felix, had shops in Glasgow, Roseville. Felix's sons, Simon and Willis, made rifles in Glasgow, Hiseville, and in Green and Logan counties. Name of maker and place made on all; some dated.