KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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"Oak Hill"
(Marker Number: 1405)

County: Marshall
Location: 26 Aspen St., Calvert City

Description: Calvert City was named for Potilla Calvert, who built "Oak Hill" in 1860. He gave the land to railroad company so that the railroad might run by his home. He also saw to it that provisions were made for food and shelter for those who chose this site for settlement. Calvert was one of the founders of Calvert City's First Baptist Church. Presented by citizens of Kentucky.

(Subjects: Baptist Church)

Arthur H. Davis
(Marker Number: 2146)

County: Marshall
Location: Junction of Houser Rd. and KY 58 near Benton

Description: One of the earliest landowners in the Jackson Purchase, Davis represented Calloway (now Marshall) County in the state legislature, 1824. Davis also served as justice of the peace and sheriff of Calloway County. He installed the first court of Graves County and served as a general in the Kentucky militia.

(Subjects: Jackson Purchase)

Civil War Action
(Marker Number: 545)

County: Marshall
Location: Benton, US 641

Description: On March 23, 1864, two days before the Battle of Paducah, detached forces of Confederate General Nathan B. Forrest's cavalry coming up from Columbus, Miss., and Union troops, both searching for horses, met by accident near here. In two skirmishes which took place, three were killed in first engagement and four in the second. Burial was in the old Gilbert cemetery.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forrest, Nathan Bedford | Paducah | Paducah, Battle of)

County Named, 1842
(Marker Number: 874)

County: Marshall
Location: Benton, Courthouse lawn, US 641

Description: For John Marshall, 1755-1835, Chief Justice of the United States, 1801-1835, "principal founder of judicial review and of American system of constitutional law." Area first settled about time of the Jackson Purchase in 1818. First church west of Tenn. River in Ky., started by Rev. H. Darnall, Baptist, in 1819 on Soldier Creek. Formed from Calloway County.

Inundated Site
(Marker Number: 1648)

County: Marshall
Location: At Fairdealing Church of Christ, Fairdealing, Jct. US 68 & KY 962

Description: Birmingham, six miles north, was one of the oldest settlements in Marshall County and a major early boat landing. Settled 1849; named by British settlers for Birmingham, England. Town covered as Kentucky Lake formed; Kentucky Dam built, 1938-1944. The Birmingham Cemetery was relocated at Briensburg. This TVA project acquired 35,133 acres in Marshall County.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Tennessee Valley Authority)

James R. Lemon (1848-1919)
(Marker Number: 1749)

County: Marshall
Location: Benton, 1309 Main St.

Description: Owner and editor of Benton Tribune and Mayfield Messenger and author of a Marshall County history lived here. Lemon, in 1884, also founded Big Singing Day. This evolved from Southern Harmony, a hymn-singing custom popular in early 1800s, continuing today. Using only four "shaped notes," it simplifies music reading and has no accompaniment. House listed on National Register.

(Subjects: National Register of Historic Places | Newspapers)

Kentucky Writer
(Marker Number: 1538)

County: Marshall
Location: Main St. on court square, Benton, US 641 & KY 58

Description: Born in Benton, 1918, Joe Creason often spoke of his birthplace as "the only town in Kentucky where I was born." He became an outstanding journalist. His daily column, "Joe Creason's Kentucky," in Louisville Courier-Journal won him wide recognition and acclaim. Creason, a "goodwill ambassador," wrote fondly of his native state. Died, 1974; buried at Bethel, Ky.

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

Site of Old Gilbertsville
(Marker Number: 1647)

County: Marshall
Location: Entrance to campground, KY 641, Gilbertsville

Description: Gilbertsville was settled in 1870 and named for lawyer Jesse Gilbert, who encouraged its incorporation. Its post office known as Clear Pond until 1874. The old town was demolished when TVA built Kentucky Dam, 1938-44; relocated west of original site. Illinois Central Railroad bridge rebuilt over the dam. This TVA project acquired 35,133 acres in Marshall Co.

(Subjects: Railroads | Tennessee Valley Authority)

Spout Spring
(Marker Number: 2035)

County: Marshall
Location: 4 mi. E. of Benton, 1800 Foust-Sledd Rd.

Description: In June 1842, nine justices met at James Clark's home near the spring on west side of old Benton-Paducah Rd. and organized first Marshall Co. Court. They were James Brien, Enos Faughn, Joel Gilbert, John McElrath, Robert Elliott, Wm. Rice, Absalom Smith, Joseph Staton, and James Stice. Fires at county clerk's office destroyed details of meeting. Presented by Marshall County Genealogical and Historical Society.

(Subjects: Springs)