KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Almahurst Farm
(Marker Number: 565)

County: Jessamine
Location: In front of the Old Coach Stop, Jct. of US 68 & KY 169

Description: Part of original land granted to James Knight, 1750-1831, for his services in the Revolutionary War. A portion owned by heirs, 1962. Among the famous horses bred, foaled, and raised on this farm were: Greyhound, world's champion trotter of all times; Peter Volo, founder of one of the great trotting families; Exterminator, known wherever thoroughbreds are raced.

(Subjects: Horses | Revolutionary War)

Bethel Academy
(Marker Number: 1830)

County: Jessamine
Location: Entrance to Asbury College, Wilmore, KY 29

Description: This was second Methodist school in United States. In 1790 Bishop Francis Asbury laid plans for Bethel Academy, four miles southeast of Wilmore on cliffs above Kentucky River. It was operating by 1794; closed ca. 1804, due to lack of funds and Indian hostilities. Second site was in Nicholasville, 1820-93.

(Reverse) Asbury College - Established in 1890, this school was named for Francis Asbury, first Methodist bishop and circuit rider in United States. Asbury Theological Seminary was established at Asbury College, 1923. Original Bethel Academy site and Asbury College Administration Building are listed on National Register of Historic Places.

(Subjects: Asbury, Bishop Francis | Bishops | Methodist Church | National Register of Historic Places | Schools)

Butler's Birthplace
(Marker Number: 823)

County: Jessamine
Location: S. of Camp Nelson Cem. entrance, US 27 & Jct. of Hall Rd.

Description: Gen. Wm. O. Butler, born here in 1791, died Carrollton, Ky. 1880. In War of 1812: the River Raisin, Pensacola, and New Orleans. Gen. Andrew Jackson's staff 1816-17. Cited for heroism in Mexican War 1846-48. U.S. Congressman 1839-43. Although defeated for Gov. 1844, Vice Pres. 1848, U.S. Senate 1851, he was one of the most prominent, best-liked Democrats in state.

(Subjects: Jackson, Andrew | Mexican War | Raisin River, Battle of)

Camp Nelson
(Marker Number: 1515)

County: Jessamine
Location: In park at Camp Nelson, US 27

Description: Named for Major General William Nelson, who established first Union recruiting center south of Ohio River, 1861. Original camp, Garrard Co., called Camp Dick Robinson. For better protection from invading CSA armies of Tenn., camp moved to Jessamine side of Ky. River. Major General George H. Thomas renamed it Camp Nelson. Occupied until end of war; now U.S. military cem. Over.

(Reverse) Maj. Gen. William Nelson - A navy lieutenant when he founded Camp Dick Robinson, Gen. Nelson was the only naval officer, CSA or USA, to become full-rank Civil War major general. He persuaded Lincoln to abandon "hands off" policy in Ky. and to supply 5,000 guns to Union supporters. Killed by fellow Union officer, Jeff C. Davis, in personal dispute at Galt House in Louisville, September 29, 1862.

(Subjects: Camps | Civil War | Lincoln, Abraham | Nelson, William | Rivers | Union Army)

Camp Nelson
(Marker Number: 2222)

County: Jessamine
Location: Camp Nelson, US 27 south of Nicholasville

Description: Founded in 1863 as a Union supply depot, hospital, and encampment, in 1864 Camp Nelson became Kentucky's largest, and nation's third largest, recruitment center for African-American soldiers, the U.S.Colored Troops (USCT). Eight USCT regiments were organized here and saw action in Kentucky and Virginia. Over.

(Reverse) The USCT were emancipated from slavery upon enlistment and many brought their wives and children into camp, who were freed after a March 1865 Congressional Act. 23,300 slaves were freed here. Camp Nelson included 4,000 acres and 300 buildings and provided men and supplies for Knoxville, Atlanta, and Saltville- Marion, Va., campaigns. Over.

(Subjects: African American | Camps | Civil War | Slavery | Union Army)

Camp Nelson Covered Bridge
(Marker Number: 1513)

County: Jessamine
Location: In park at Camp Nelson, US 27

Description: Site of first bridge across the Kentucky River. Designed in 1838 by famous bridge builder, Lewis V. Wernwag. With two lanes, each 12 feet wide, it was a single span structure; 240 feet between the abutments which still stand. A main artery between the North and South during Civil War. Condemned, 1926. Longest wooden cantilever bridge in America when razed, 1933.

(Subjects: Camps | Civil War | Covered Bridges | Rivers)

Camp Nelson National Cemetery
(Marker Number: 1610)

County: Jessamine
Location: Camp Nelson, US 27

Description: One of 40 burial grounds listed by Congress in 1866 to become National Cemetery sites. Although no battles were fought in immediate area, a large camp hospital was located here. There were 1,183 men buried in this cemetery between July 28, 1863, and February 4, 1866. This included disinterments from several battlefields. The stone wall was built in 1867-68.

(Reverse) Camp Nelson National Cemetery - In June and July of 1868, after the Civil War, over 2,000 dead were removed from five areas of Kentucky and reburied here. This included 975 bodies from the battle of Perryville. Also buried here are soldiers from the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, and Vietnam. Expansion of the cemetery was made possible by a ten-acre donation in May of 1975.

(Subjects: Camps | Civil War | Korean War | Perryville, Battle of | Spanish-American War | Union Army | World War II | World War I)

Camp Nelson Refugee Camp
(Marker Number: 1965)

County: Jessamine
Location: Camp Nelson, New US 27 at Hall Rd.

Description: Established in 1863 to house families of African American soldiers, Camp Nelson became the chief center issuing emancipation papers to former slaves. Army's withdrawal from camp in 1866 exposed refugees to violence of white "regulators," who were opposed to presence of freed African Americans. See over.

(Reverse) Conditions at Refugee Camp - Many women and children died from disease and exposure to weather in make-shift camp. Brutal expulsion of refugees from camp in winter of 1864 was fatal to many. Only efforts by Rev. John G. Fee and other humanitarian workers improved conditions. A school, a hospital, and permanent housing later served up to 3,000 African Americans in their transition to freedom. Over.

(Subjects: African American | Camps)

Chaumiere des Prairies
(Marker Number: 158)

County: Jessamine
Location: Catnip Rd., 31/2 mi. N. of Nicholasville, US 27

Description: Estate of Colonel David Meade III, who lived here, 1796-1832, and who spent three fortunes on its development. House originally a cluster of small buildings connected by stone and brick arcades surrounded by a l00-acre park and garden.

Dr. Phillip's Birthplace
(Marker Number: 1473)

County: Jessamine
Location: 303 S. Main St., Nicholasville

Description: Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, founder of National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, 1919, born here, September 15, 1881. Her work with the YWCA, 1917, led to interest in organization of business women. Instrumental in organizing and first President of the International Federation of B. and P. W., 1930. Died 1955; buried Maple Grove Cem., Nicholasville.

(Subjects: Cemeteries)

Ebenezer Church
(Marker Number: 894)

County: Jessamine
Location: Troy-Keene Rd., KY 1267

Description: One-half mile west. Organized by Rev. Adam Rankin, 1793-95. Rev. Robert Bishop came 1803 when stone church replaced log house. From 1810-18, these two were opposing leaders in stormy controversy in early history of Presbyterianism in Ky. Ephraim January donated land. He, other Revolutionary War veterans buried there. Church abandoned 1875, restored 1953.

(Subjects: Presbyterian Church | Revolutionary War)

First Celebration
(Marker Number: 201)

County: Jessamine
Location: Jct. Clear Creek Rd., US 68

Description: July 4, 1794, Col. William Price, veteran of the Revolutionary War, held the first celebration of Independence Day west of the Alleghenies. At his plantation, near here, forty veterans dined to commemorate the "glorious birthday of our freedom."

High Bridge
(Marker Number: 1381)

County: Jessamine
Location: KY 29, 4 mi. SW of Wilmore

Description: Highest railroad bridge in US over a navigable stream (308 feet). Planned as suspension bridge for Lexington and Danville R.R. by John Roebling, designer of famous Brooklyn Bridge (N.Y. City). Huge stone towers to hold cables built in 1851. Work on bridge abandoned during Civil War. Towers removed in 1929 by Southern Railroad to permit double tracks. Over.

(Reverse) High Bridge - First cantilever bridge built on the American continent. Most remarkable bridge in US when constructed in 1876. Marked the beginning of modern scientific bridge building. It was designed by Charles Shaler Smith and built for the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. Bridge was replaced in 1911, using same foundations without stopping rail service. See over. Presented by Southern Railway System.

(Subjects: Railroads | Bridges)

Jessamine County
(Marker Number: 947)

County: Jessamine
Location: Nicholasville, Courthouse lawn, US 27

Description: Formed from Fayette County, 1798. Named by Col. John Price, one of Representatives in Legislature, who stated he named it for flower which flourishes in region and for Jessamine Creek. A moving legend tells that the creek was named for Jessamine Douglass, daughter of an early settler, who was stealthily tomahawked by an Indian as she rested on the banks of the creek.

(Reverse) Nicholasville - County seat laid out in 1798 by Rev. John Metcalf, Methodist, who opened the first school in area, 1794. Chartered by legislature, 1812. Named for George Nicholas (1754-99); colonel in Revolution, "father of Kentucky constitution"; first Ky. Attorney General. John McLean, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, dissenter in Dred Scott case, 1857, spent part of boyhood years in vicinity.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Jessamine County Hemp
(Marker Number: 1315)

County: Jessamine
Location: Nicholasville, Courthouse lawn, US 27

Description: One of chief producing counties, it was third in value of product and also in the number of cordage factories, with 14 in 1840. Peak production reached in late 1800s, yielding over 1,000 tons per year, with a value of about $125,000. In 1899, it was one of the three Bluegrass counties which together produced more than one-half of hemp grown in the entire country.

(Reverse) Hemp in Kentucky - First crop grown, 1775. From 1840 to 1860, Ky.'s production largest in U.S. Peak in 1850 was 40,000 tons, with value of $5,000,000. Scores of factories made twine, rope, oakum to caulk sailing ships and cotton bagging. State's largest cash crop until 1915. Market lost to imported jute, freed of tariff. As war measure, hemp grown again during World War II. See over.

(Subjects: Hemp | World War II)

John Curd
(Marker Number: 1795)

County: Jessamine
Location: 3 mi. from Wilmore on High Bridge Pike, KY 29

Description: A Rev. War soldier, John Curd lived here. The Va. Gen. Assembly established tobacco inspection warehouse on Curd's land, 1786, at mouth of Dix River, as well as a public ferry across Ky. River. Curd's l1/2-story Federal house, with Flemish bond brickwork and original interior woodwork, is on National Reg. of Historic Places. Presented by Descendants of John Curd, 1986.

(Subjects: Ferry | Revolutionary War)

Keene Springs Hotel
(Marker Number: 1671)

County: Jessamine
Location: Keene, Jct. KY 169 & 1267

Description: This two-story frame building was erected by Mason Singleton. White sulphur water was discovered circa 1848; its medicinal qualities made hotel and adjoining tavern popular summer resort of 1840s and 1850s. Captain G. L. Postlethwait was its most noted host. This was place of safety during cholera panic in Lexington. Site sold to A. McTyre in 1857; to F. S. Wilson in 1868.

(Subjects: Cholera | Springs | Taverns)

Sawyier's Inspiration
(Marker Number: 675)

County: Jessamine
Location: Hall Rd. & US 27, S. of Camp Nelson Cem.

Description: Paul Sawyier, "The River Artist," painted scenes of Kentucky River gorge while living on houseboat near here, from 1908 to 1913. The noted artist created over 2,000 paintings, mostly landscapes of Central Kentucky-State Capitol, Kentucky River and Elkhorn Creek. Born in Ohio, 1865, he spent most of his life in Kentucky. Died in New York, 1917. Buried Frankfort.

(Subjects: Artists | Frankfort)