KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Civil War Base
(Marker Number: 663)

County: Livingston
Location: Smithland, US 60

Description: September 1861, Union forces occupied strategic Smithland. The junction of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers became a rendezvous and staging area for troops and supplies in support of Gen. Grant's campaign against Fort Donelson. Two forts, on hills south, commanded the two rivers. Smithland continued thru the war as a supply base for USA river transports and gunboats.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forts and Stations | Grant, Ulysses S.)

County Named, 1798
(Marker Number: 801)

County: Livingston
Location: Smithland, Courthouse lawn, US 60

Description: For Robert R. Livingston, 1746-1813. N.Y. provincial convention, 1775; Continental Congress, 1775-77, 1779-81; one of committee to draft the Declaration of Independence. Sec. of Foreign Affairs, 1781-83. Administered oath to Washington, first president, 1789. Appointed minister to France by Jefferson, 1801-04. Partner of Robert Fulton in constructing first steamboat.

(Subjects: Inventors | Jefferson, Thomas | Steamboats | Washington, George)

Gower House
(Marker Number: 938)

County: Livingston
Location: Smithland, US 60

Description: Erected about 1780: one of the luxury inns built to accommodate the travelers on the Ohio River. Host to many celebrities of that era including Presidents James K. Polk, Zachary Taylor; founder American Red Cross, Clara Barton; authors Charles Dickens and Lew Wallace; and Henry Clay. Lafayette was a guest here in May of 1825 while on his triumphal U.S. tour.

(Reverse) Ned Buntline - Pen name of Edward Z. C. Judson, father of the dime novel, who came to Smithland to publish his works; lived here in 1845. He brought fame to "Buffalo Bill" (William Cody) thru stories and promotion of his renowned wild west show. He wrote of the marshals of the frontier west. In 1876, gave to Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and others Colt "Buntline Special" revolvers.

(Subjects: Authors | Clay, Henry | Lafayette, Marquis de | Taylor, Zachary)

Grand Rivers Furnace
(Marker Number: 1368)

County: Livingston
Location: Grand Rivers, KY 453 at Commerce Ave.

Description: Built 1/2 mile west, 1890-91, by the Grand Rivers Coal, Iron and Railroad Co. Two stacks, each one 60 ft. high with a maximum inner diameter of 131/2 ft., together could produce 45,000 tons of iron yearly, using coal for fuel until 1901, and coke thereafter. These blast furnaces operated intermittently until dismantled in 1921. See the 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. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Hopewell Furnace
(Marker Number: 1349)

County: Livingston
Location: 8 mi. E. of Smithland at Mint Springs Church, KY 70

Description: Also called Ozeoro, built 1/2 mile north in 1848 by Wm. L. Hiter, Wm. Lewis and Henry F. Given. A brick stack 30 ft. high, 9 ft. in maximum inner diameter, it was charcoal-fueled with air blast powered by steam. In 33 weeks of 1856 it produced 1096 tons of pig iron from locally mined ore. It was rebuilt in 1857, and ceased operating in 1859. 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. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Jefferson's Sister
(Marker Number: 767)

County: Livingston
Location: 3 mi. N. of Smithland, US 60, KY 137

Description: Rocky Hill, one mile north, home of Lucy Jefferson Lewis, youngest sister, Thomas Jefferson, author of Declaration of Independence and third president of US. She was born in 1752, Albemarle Co., Va. Came to Ky., 1808, with her husband Dr. Charles L. Lewis, who served in Revolution, and their six children. Mrs. Lewis died in 1811, was buried near her home.

(Subjects: Jefferson, Thomas)

Mantle Rock - 1/2 mile
(Marker Number: 1675)

County: Livingston
Location: 3 mi. W. of Joy, KY 133

Description: During winter of 1838-1839, the Cherokees were forced to leave their Smoky Mountain homes for Oklahoma territory. Mantle Rock, a 40-foot sandstone arch, was used for shelter on their "Trail of Tears." Since the icy Ohio River had no ferry traffic, the Indians sought cover beneath the arch. Many died there. Mantle Rock was also campsite for ancient Indians.

(Subjects: Cherokee Indians | Ohio River | Rivers)

Salem
(Marker Number: 1204)

County: Livingston
Location: US 60, KY 133

Description: County seat, 1809-42, of Livingston, which included present Crittenden. First courthouse, of hewn logs, was built by William Rodgers on land donated by him. On August 8, 1864, 35 Federal troops under Captain Hugh M. Hiett repelled a Confederate force of 300 commanded by Major John T. Chenoweth in a six-hour skirmish here. See the other side.

(Reverse) Life of a County

This area was part of different counties as they were developed.

1780: Lincoln, county seat at Harrodsburg. One of three original Ky. counties.
1792: Logan, county seat at Logan Court House, now Russellville.
1797: Christian, county seat at Hopkinsville.
1799: Livingston, county seats at: 1800 Eddyville-1804 Centerville-1809 Salem-1842 Smithland.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses)

Underwood Furnace
(Marker Number: 1348)

County: Livingston
Location: 8 mi. E. of Smithland at Mint Springs Church, KY 70

Description: Built 3/4 mile north in 1846-47 by James C. Sloo and Leonard White. It was a brick structure with a steam-powered air blast, using locally made charcoal fuel to produce pig iron from ore mined nearby. Iron was shipped by steamboat to fabricators. After 1848, operations were transferred to the neighboring Hopewell Furnace. See the 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. Charcoal-furnace era ended in 1880s with depletion of ore and timber and use of modern methods. Over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)