KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Alcorn Homestead
(Marker Number: 2135)

County: Lincoln
Location: Stanford, 409 Danville St.

Description: Former home of Sophia K. Alcorn. Born in Lincoln County in 1883, she invented the Tadoma method to teach deaf-blind individuals to speak through the feel of sound vibrations from the lips and cheeks. The method was named for two deaf-blind students, Tad Chapman and Oma Simpson. The system still used internationally. Presented by Lincoln Co. Historical Society.

(Reverse) Sophia K. Alcorn - Sophia Alcorn devised a system of written visual symbols to assist in developing speech in deaf children. Known as the "Alcorn Symbols," the system is used by teachers of deaf today. Remembered as educator from Ky. School for Deaf in Danville. She was active in Stanford Presby. Church. Died, 1967, and buried in Buffalo Springs Cemetery, Stanford. Presented by Lincoln Co. Historical Society.

(Subjects: Schools | Women)

Birthplace of Naval Aviation Pioneer
(Marker Number: 1564)

County: Lincoln
Location: 1 mi. N. of Stanford, US 150

Description: Lt. Richard Caswell Saufley's Naval flights were the first official demonstrations in U.S. using aeroplanes for scouting purposes. This innovation revolutionized warfare. Born in Stanford, 1885, he attended school there and at Centre College. Graduated from U.S. Naval Academy, 1908. Killed while making endurance flight in Florida, 1916.

(Reverse) Lt. Richard Caswell Saufley - This aviation pioneer was awarded two Aviation Medals of Merit by the Aero Club of America: one for efficient air service in an expedition, 1914, and another for breaking the world's altitude record twice in succession, 1915. U.S. Navy Saufley Field in Pensacola, Florida, and World War II destroyer named for him.

(Subjects: Aviation | Centre College | World War II)

Boneyville
(Marker Number: 2268)

County: Lincoln
Location: Near Boneyville Baptist Church, 3.5 mi. SW of Stanford

Description: One of several “free towns” in Lincoln Co. Created in 1867 from Hugh Hays’ estate and named for founder, Napoleon Bonaparte Hays (1838-1907). “Boney” earned freedom in 1864 enlisting at Camp Nelson as Pvt., Co. C., 12th Regt. U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery during Civil War. One of founders of AME Church in Stanford & the Boneyville School.

(Reverse) Alfred Simpson (1828-1905), a former slave, purchased 225 acres in Boneyville. He helped establish one-room school after Civil War. It was used until about 1961. Marriage joined the Hays & Simpson families. Many descendants still reside in this area. Community supports two churches, Bethel AME and First Missionary Baptist.

(Subjects: African American | Baptist Church | Civil War | Schools)

Capt. George Givens
(Marker Number: 1328)

County: Lincoln
Location: Jct. KY 1273 & US 150

Description: Homesite and grave 1 mile west. B., Orange Co., Va., 1740. D., 1825. 40 years service to his country. Lt. at Fort Pitt, Dunmore's War, 1774. Captain, Botetourt County militia, 1776. Northwest Campaign of George Rogers Clark, 1778. Came to Ky., 1781. He received military land grant, 1781. In War of 1812. Presented by Jane Craig Reichlein and Mrs. Birdie Givens Pickle.

(Subjects: Clark, George Rogers | Dunmore, John Murray | Forts and Stations | Revolutionary War | War of 1812)

Carpenter's Station
(Marker Number: 1203)

County: Lincoln
Location: 2 mi. W. of Hustonville, KY 78

Description: Established near this site, 1780, by the brothers Adam, Conrad and John Carpenter. All were American Revolutionary soldiers, sons of George Carpenter, Sr., who died while serving with the First Virginia Regiment. One of early stations through which the settlement of Kentucky was achieved. Carpenters once owned 3,000 acres in vicinity of this station.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Revolutionary War)

County Named, 1780
(Marker Number: 774)

County: Lincoln
Location: Stanford, Courthouse lawn, Business US 150 & KY 1247

Description: For Benjamin Lincoln, 1733-1810. Born Mass. In War of Revolution took Mass. Regts. to reinforce New York, 1776; at Saratoga, 1777, cut Burgoyne's communications with Canada; 1778, command of Southern Department. Commissioned by Washington to receive the sword of Cornwallis at British surrender, Yorktown, 1781. Secretary of War, 1781-84. Led forces that quelled Shays' Rebellion.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War | Washington, George)

Crab Orchard Springs
(Marker Number: 152)

County: Lincoln
Location: Crab Orchard, US 150

Description: Site of popular watering place, 1827 until early 1930's. Famed for number and excellence of mineral springs. Crab Orchard salts, medical remedy, produced here by evaporation.

(Subjects: Springs)

Earliest Church
(Marker Number: 1234)

County: Lincoln
Location: Main St. at Harvey Helm Lib., Stanford, US 27, 150

Description: The Stanford Presbyterian Church, founded 1788 on this site, on Old Wilderness Trail. Land given by Mary Briggs, sister of Gen. Benjamin Logan. Church moved to its present site, 1838; land given by Logan, one of founders. In 1797, David Rice, father of Presbyterianism in Kentucky, preached here. The original log church now part of this library building.

(Subjects: Logan, Benjamin | Presbyterian Church | Wilderness Road)

Home of John Logan
(Marker Number: 1561)

County: Lincoln
Location: 1 mi. E. of Stanford, Jct. US 150 and Goshen Rd.

Description: Pioneer, soldier, statesman, John Logan established land claim for 1400 acres in Lincoln County and built stone house here. He was in Lincoln County Militia; member of first Kentucky Court, 1781; Lincoln Co. delegate to Virginia Assembly and to 1787 Danville Convention. Logan was state senator and elected first state treasurer in 1792. Served until his death in 1807.

Lincoln County
(Marker Number: 860)

County: Lincoln
Location: Stanford, Courthouse lawn

Description: Benjamin Logan built Logan's Fort at St. Asaphs, mile to west, 1776. Kentucky County, Virginia, formed 1776. First land court, St. Asaphs 1779. Kentucky was made into Lincoln, Jefferson, Fayette counties, 1780. In 1785 part of Lincoln taken for Madison and Mercer counties. Stanford named and made county seat, 1786. Records in courthouse from 1781, oldest in the state.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Logan, Benjamin)

Logan's Station
(Marker Number: 56)

County: Lincoln
Location: Waterworks & Danville Sts., Stanford, US 150

Description: Or St. Asaph. Colonel Benjamin Logan settled here after leaving party of Colonel Henderson at Hazel Patch because of settlement plans. Scene of courageous rescue of fallen companion by Logan in Indian attack (1777).

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians | Logan, Benjamin)

McCormack Christian Church
(Marker Number: 1590)

County: Lincoln
Location: 6 mi. W. of Stanford, KY 1194

Description: Daniel McCormack donated land for church, graveyard and school, 1819, to replace log church built by Baptists, circa 1785. Structure was used by several denominations. In 1830 most of original members became affiliated with the Disciples of Christ, founded by Alexander Campbell. Has served continuously as Christian Church since then. Presented by Friends of McCormack Christian Church.

(Reverse) McCormack Christian Church - Bricks laid in Flemish bond on stone foundation reflect Campbell's belief in simplicity of design and worship. Galleries for slaves were at each end. Stipulation by McCormack was that church was to be open to all denominations and people. It was listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1976. Presented by Friends of McCormack Christian Church.

(Subjects: Campbell, Alexander | Christian Church | National Register of Historic Places)

McKinney's Fort
(Marker Number: 2063)

County: Lincoln
Location: McKinney, 9 mi. SW of Stanford, 1/4 mi. SE of McKinney Grade School on farm of Harold G. Chaney

Description: Built by Archibald McKinney by 1792, this early trading post was an important stop on Cumberland Trace. The settlement began as four log cabins and a stockade. Early settlers are buried in a cemetery on a knoll visible due south of this marker. In 1874 name changed to McKinney Station. Presented by McKinney Descendants and Community.

(Subjects: Cumberland Trace | Forts and Stations)

On Confederate Routes
(Marker Number: 685)

County: Lincoln
Location: Crab Orchard, US 150

Description: CSA Gen. J. H. Morgan's cavalry on first Kentucky raid, returning from Cynthiana, burned Dix River bridge above here and camped on July 20, 1862. Burned 120 USA wagons here and at Somerset. (See map on other side.) After battle of Perryville Oct. 8, 1862, CSA retired to Bryantsville. Then retreated in two columns to Tenn. One of them moved thru here.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt | Perryville, Battle of)

Ottenheim
(Marker Number: 955)

County: Lincoln
Location: Halls Gap, US 27 & KY 643

Description: A German-Swiss settlement, 4 miles southeast, started by immigrants, early 1880s. Guided here by Joseph Ottenheimer "to this land of great opportunity" they found it to be a wilderness. Undaunted they built crude log cabins, then cleared the virgin land and developed it into a highly productive agricultural area. By 1886 a Lutheran and a Catholic Church had been built.

PFC William B. Baugh, USMC
(Marker Number: 2013)

County: Lincoln
Location: Hustonville, 1 mi. SW of McKinney at Area Reserve Squad, 3305 Highway 198

Description: This Congressional Medal of Honor recipient born near here July 7, 1930. Baugh served with Co. G, 3rd Battalion, First Marines, First Marine Div. (Reinforced). Awarded honor posthumously for gallantry at risk of his life to spare others serious injury en route from Koto-ri to Hagaru-ri, Korea. Presented by Ky. Marine Corps League, Ky. Chap. of First Marine Div. Assoc., and Ky. Council of Navy League.

(Reverse) Medal of Honor Winner - Baugh was serving as a member of an Anti-Tank Assault Squad during a nighttime enemy attack on a motorized column, when a hostile grenade landed in his truck. He shouted a warning to other Marines in the vehicle and hurled himself upon the deadly missile, saving his comrades from injury or death. Gave supreme sacrifice Nov. 29, 1950. Presented by Ky. Marine Corps League, Ky. Chap. of First Marine Div. Assoc., and Ky. Council of Navy League.

(Subjects: Korean War | Medal of Honor Winners)

Sportsman's Hill
(Marker Number: 96)

County: Lincoln
Location: 2 mi. NW of Crab Orchard, US 150

Description: 2 mi. Whitley House. Built at Whitley's Station by Col. William Whitley, noted pioneer and Indian fighter who was born in Virginia in 1749, came to Kentucky in 1775, and was killed at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.

(Subjects: Thames, Battle of | War of 1812)

Sportsman's Hill
(Marker Number: 982)

County: Lincoln
Location: At William Whitley House, US 150

Description: Site of one of earliest circular racetracks. Crowd gathered within the half-mile track, able to see entire race. Built about 1780 by Col. Wm. Whitley, owner of estate. A fervent patriot, he built track to contrast with the British ones, using clay instead of turf and running races counter-clockwise instead of clockwise. Racing here ended with the Civil War. Over.

(Reverse) Whitley House-1785 - Located on the Wilderness Road, it was the first brick house in Ky. Situated so that racetrack was visible from it. Meetings held in fall, bringing elite of region here. After races, which started at dawn, lavish breakfast was served. Whitley, born Va., 1749. Famed Indian fighter; killed, Battle of the Thames, Canada, 1813. Whitley County, Ky., named for him. Over.

(Subjects: Horse racing | Roads | Thames, Battle of | Wilderness Road)

Traveler's Rest
(Marker Number: 95)

County: Lincoln
Location: Shelby City, US 127

Description: 2 mi. Site of home of Isaac Shelby (1750-1826), Kentucky's first and fifth governor, soldier of three decisive American battles. He and his wife, Susannah Hart Shelby (1764-1833), are buried here.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Governors | Shelby, Isaac)

Traveler's Rest
(Marker Number: 2233)

County: Lincoln
Location: Entrance to Isaac Shelby Cemetery, KY 300 East

Description: Isaac Shelby, 1st & 5th governor, came to Ky. as a surveyor in 1775. He claimed 1400 acres in 1776 by raising a crop of corn. In 1779 he received 1st land settlement & premption deed granted by Va. Land Commission. His home, Traveler's Rest, completed in 1786. Upon his death in 1826, he was the only settler living on his original Va. land grant.

(Reverse) Settled 1776. This property was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976 by the United States Department of the Interior.

(Subjects: Governors | National Register of Historic Places | Shelby, Isaac)

Wilderness Road / Logan’s Station
(Marker Number: 2177)

County: Lincoln
Location: Main St., US 150, Stanford

Description: Benjamin Logan left Boone’s Road, April 15, 1775, following trace that became the final segment of “Wilderness Road.” Logan’s path ran along an obscure trail from this area to Harrodsburg, then to Falls of the Ohio. The intersection of the trails became known as Hazel Patch, a junction 8 miles north of present-day London, Ky.

(Reverse) Logan’s Station established May 1, 1775. Also known as St. Asaph, the fort quickly became an important frontier settlement. In May 1775, residents sent representatives to Boonesborough to assist in the formation of the proprietary government of Transylvania. Logan’s Fort later became the town of Stanford.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Logan, Benjamin | Wilderness Road)