KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

Search by County:

Select the county name from the selection box below or see the clickable state map and county list.

A Civil War Action
(Marker Number: 527)

County: Henderson
Location: Henderson, Courthouse lawn, Old US 41, KY 54

Description: Brig. General A. R. Johnson and 30 CSA raiders took city, capturing 50 guns, hospital supplies, and commissary stores July 17, 1862, then raided Newburg, Ind., and returned to Henderson. Threat of Morgan's Raiders prevented USA Hdqrs. at Louisville from sending relief. July 22 troops arrived here from Evansville, Ind., but CSA troops had abandoned area.

(Subjects: Civil War | Johnson, Adam R. | Morgan's Raiders)

Albert B. "Happy" Chandler
(Marker Number: 1984)

County: Henderson
Location: Park Field, Adkinson Park, off Elm St., Henderson

Description: This Henderson Co. native (1898-1991) was state sen. and lt. gov. before becoming governor in 1935 and 1955. U.S. sen., 1939-45. As baseball commissioner, he approved contract making Jackie Robinson first modern black major league player, 1947. Chandler elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, 1982. Presented by Henderson World Series Association, Inc.

(Reverse) Albert Benjamin Chandler - This colorful orator and two-term governor was born near Corydon, Ky. As governor, Chandler was driving force behind establishment of Univ. of Ky. Medical Center, later named in his honor. Buried at Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Versailles. Park Field in Henderson was site of the 1996 Bambino World Series dedicated to "Happy" Chandler. Presented by Henderson World Series Association, Inc.

(Subjects: African American | Baseball Hall of Fame | Chandler, Albert Benjamin "Happy" | University of Kentucky)

Albert B. "Happy" Chandler, 1898-1991
(Marker Number: 2309)

County: Henderson
Location: US 60, Corydon

Description: This Henderson County native was state senator and lt. gov. before becoming governor in 1935 & 1955. U.S. senator, 1939-45. As baseball commissioner, he approved contract making Jackie Robinson first modern black major league player in 1947. Chandler was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1982.

(Reverse) This colorful orator and two-term governor was born near Corydon, Ky. As governor, Chandler was the driving force behind establishment of the Univ. of Ky. Medical Center, later named in his honor. Buried at Pisgah Presbyterian Church in Versailles. Park Field in Henderson was site of the 1996 Bambino World Series dedicated to “Happy” Chandler.

(Subjects: Baseball Hall of Fame | Governors | University of Kentucky | Baseball)

Artist-Naturalist
(Marker Number: 1523)

County: Henderson
Location: John James Audubon State Park, 2 mi. N. of Henderson, US 41

Description: John James Audubon, 1785-1851, was one of America's most famous ornithologists. From 1810-1819 he lived in Henderson roaming the woods in this area, finding and painting birds in their natural habitat. While here two of his children, John Woodhouse and Lucy, were born. Lucy is buried in Samuel Hopkins cemetery. Audubon State Park named in his honor.

(Subjects: Artists)

Audubon Saw and Grist Mill
(Marker Number: 1645)

County: Henderson
Location: Second & Water Sts., Henderson

Description: In 1816 John James Audubon and his wife's brother, Thomas Bakewell, built a steam mill here. The 45' x 65' structure cost $15,000; Audubon supplied over half the money. In operation 1817-19, it failed due to defective machinery and scanty wheat crops. Audubon then devoted himself to painting and found success. Mill was used later as tobacco warehouse; burned in 1913.

(Subjects: Mills)

Augustus Owsley Stanley
(Marker Number: 1777)

County: Henderson
Location: Henderson, Main St.

Description: A dynamic orator, Stanley became nationally known for investigation of U.S. Steel Corp., while serving six terms in U.S. House, 1903-15. Born in Shelbyville, 1867, he moved to Henderson in 1898, and entered politics. Gov. of Ky., 1915-19; U.S. Senator, 1919-25. Chaired International Joint Commission to mediate disputes arising along U.S.-Canadian border. Died 1958.

(Subjects: Governors)

County Formed, Named
(Marker Number: 1206)

County: Henderson
Location: Transylvania Park, Henderson, US 41, 60

Description: By Kentucky Statute, Dec. 1798, effective, May 1799, the county of Henderson was formed out of part of Christian. Named to honor Colonel Richard Henderson, founder of the Transylvania Land Company, which was granted land on Green and Ohio Rivers by Va. Gen. Assembly, 1778, to compensate for voiding purchase of land from Cherokees in Eastern Kentucky. Park named for Company.

(Subjects: Transylvania University)

Fernwood Cemetery
(Marker Number: 1926)

County: Henderson
Location: 840 Madison St., Henderson

Description: Established 1849, cemetery contains graves of some noted Kentuckians; among them are Lazarus Powell and John Y. Brown. Powell, Henderson's first governor (1851-55), began state's first geological survey to develop mineral and agricultural resources. Brown elected to U.S. House of Rep. while underage; later served 2 more terms. Supported new constitution and became gov. 1891.

(Reverse) Fernwood Cemetery - Buried here is Archibald Dixon, who served in Ky. House of Rep. and Senate. Lt. gov. 1844-48 under Wm. Owsley; appointed U.S. senator in 1852 to complete term of the late Henry Clay. Teacher Mary Towles Sasseen, who led her class in first observance of Mother's Day, May 1887, and promoted its recognition nationwide, also buried here. Over. Presented by Henderson Jr. Historical Society.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Clay, Henry)

First Kentucky Consumer Rural Cooperative Electricity
(Marker Number: 1392)

County: Henderson
Location: 6 mi. S. of Henderson, US 41 Alt.

Description: Here in October 1937 Frank T. Street became first member-consumer to receive rural electric cooperative power in Ky. Energy was provided by Henderson RECC, first rural electric system in state to be energized. Cooperative electricity has provided a more stable and diversified economy and a higher standard of living in rural areas.

Gen. Samuel Hopkins
(Marker Number: 717)

County: Henderson
Location: Between Zion & Henderson, KY 351

Description: On Washington's staff and in many campaigns, War of the Revolution. Born in Va., 1753. Came to Ky., 1797, as Transylvania Company agent. With Col. T. Allen laid out town of Henderson. Chief Justice, First Court, 1799. Ky. House, 1800-06, Senate, 1809-13. Comm. in Chief, Western Frontier, 1812. Congress 1813-15. Hopkinsville and Hopkins County named for him. Died 1819.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War | Transylvania University | Washington, George)

Home of Lucy Furman
(Marker Number: 870)

County: Henderson
Location: Powell Street, Henderson, US 41

Description: Author, lecturer. Depicted life of Kentucky mountain people with dignity in books, serials. Born here, 1870, by age 23 she had been acclaimed for stories in literary magazines. First book in 1897. She worked and taught at Hindman Settlement School, Knott County, Ky., 1907-27. Continued writing. Death, 1958. Books include The Quare Women and The Glass Window.

(Subjects: Authors)

Kimmel Homestead
(Marker Number: 878)

County: Henderson
Location: At Scott McGaw Motor Company, US 60

Description: Site of home of three generations of Kimmels. Indian fighter, Civil War Major (CSA) Manning M. bought it in 1872. His son, Husband E., born here, 1882. He graduated at Annapolis, 1904. Named Commander-in-Chief of US Fleet, February 1, 1941. Stationed at Pearl Harbor when infamous attack came Dec. 7, 1941. His three sons naval officers in WW II. Manning killed in action.

Lewis and Clark in Kentucky- Henderson
(Marker Number: 2220)

County: Henderson
Location: 101 N. Water St., Henderson

Description: Robert Frazer, a member of the 1803-06 Lewis & Clark Expedition, visited General Samuel Hopkins here in Feb. & April 1807. Frazer was traveling from St. Louis to Washington and back while helping the U.S. govt. examine the Burr Conspiracy. Wrote Pres. Jefferson from here on April 16. Over.

(Reverse) Lewis & Clark and the nucleus of the Corps of Discovery passed by Henderson in Nov. 1803. They were traveling down the Ohio during their 1803-1806 Expedition to the Pacific. Clark had friends here and likely stopped in Henderson.

(Subjects: Burr, Aaron | Jefferson, Thomas | Lewis and Clark Expedition | Ohio River)

Mother's Day
(Marker Number: 191)

County: Henderson
Location: Henderson schoolyard, Center St.

Description: Here, Mary Towles Sasseen Wilson in 1887 first observed Mother's Day. Started with her pupils. In 1893, she obtained national observance. Kentucky Legislature recognized her as "originator of idea." Congress adopted second Sunday of May as holiday in 1914.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church
(Marker Number: 1703)

County: Henderson
Location: At Church, Green & Center Sts., Henderson

Description: The design of this English Gothic church was supervised by Bishop Benjamin Bosworth Smith; church consecrated by him in May 1869. Stained glass memorial windows from Munich, Germany, donated. Congregation organized in 1831; first church, erected in 1838, at Third and Main. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1978. Presented by St. Paul's Church.

(Subjects: Episcopal Church | National Register of Historic Places)

Transylvania Company
(Marker Number: 66)

County: Henderson
Location: Henderson, KY 351, at jct. with old US 41

Description: The company founded Henderson in 1797. John James Audubon made his home here. The town established the first municipal park west of the Alleghenies.

(Subjects: Transylvania University)