KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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County Named, 1860
(Marker Number: 799)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Edmonton, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: For Thomas Metcalfe, 1780-1855. Born Va. Capt. Ky. Vol. War 1812; Congress 1819-28; Governor 1828-32; Ky. Senate 1834-38; U.S. Senate 1848-49, completing Crittenden's term. "Old Stone Hammer'' laid the foundation, 1797, of Governor's Mansion, now home of Lieutenant Governors. Metcalfe County formed out of parts of Adair, Barren, Cumberland, Green & Monroe.

(Subjects: Crittenden, John J.)

Discovery of Sulphur Well
(Marker Number: 1895)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Roadside park, KY 70, Sulphur Well

Description: This artesian well was discovered in 1845 by Ezekiel Neal, who was drilling for salt water. When he reached 180 ft. depth, pressure shot water, auger, and shafting over top of large sycamore tree. Besides salt, water contained sulphur, magnesium, and iron; used by many for its medicinal value. Constant water supply not affected by cold, heat, rain, or draught.

(Reverse) Beula Villa Hotel - Built in 1903 by Catlett W. Thompson, across from sulphur well. Two main buildings with guest rooms were noted for spacious, wide verandas. A swinging bridge was erected from the main veranda to the well. Next owner was King C. Crenshaw. Business thrived until 1960, when Crenshaw's health failed. After 65 years of serving the community, this popular hotel closed in 1968.

(Subjects: Hotels)

Dripping Springs
(Marker Number: 1118)

County: Metcalfe
Location: 6 mi. W. of Edmonton, US 68, KY 80

Description: Organized as Baptist "Sinks of Beaver Creek," 1789, at William Blakely home. Services continuous since first building about 1799, log cabin. In 1874, hand dressed yellow poplar structure replaced original. Present building erected in 1961. Name changed, but same organization continued. Over the years members have withdrawn to form other churches in the area.

(Subjects: Baptist Church)

Ed Porter Thompson
(Marker Number: 1200)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Center, Masonic Lodge, KY 314

Description: Born near Center, Metcalfe Co., in 1834. Elected Kentucky Superintendent of Public Instruction, 1891 to 1895. Noted educator, mathematician, and linguist, the author of 6 books, including 2 state adopted texts: Academic Arithmetic and Young People's History of Kentucky. His History of the Orphan Brigade is a most complete and valuable Civil War record. He died in 1903.

(Subjects: Authors | Teachers)

Founder of Edmonton
(Marker Number: 678)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Edmonton, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: Edmund Rogers, 1762-1843. In the Virginia campaign of the war and the Revolution and at surrender of Cornwallis, 1781. As surveyor, joined General George Rogers Clark, his cousin, in 1783. A year later, came to area south of Green River. He made earliest surveys on Barren River and tributaries and settled here. Laid out Edmonton in 1800. Family burial ground to the south.

(Subjects: Clark, George Rogers | Revolutionary War)

Local Humanitarian
(Marker Number: 1503)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Summer Shade, Jct. Nobob-Summer Shade Rd. & KY 90

Description: Dr. C. C. Howard, an outstanding physician and citizen of Barren County, was born in Summer Shade, Kentucky, 1888. Began his medical career in Glasgow. He opened a private hospital there, 1914, and later helped build Glasgow's first community hospital. Dr. Howard encouraged passage of an act which created 6 regional tuberculosis hospitals in Kentucky. See over.

(Reverse) Local Humanitarian - Dr. Howard was instrumental in the establishment of Rural Kentucky Medical Scholarship Fund. Among the numerous awards he received were the Governor's Medallion for outstanding leadership in the field of rural medicine and the Kentucky Medical Association's first Distinguished Service Award. In 1947, he opened the Howard Clinic. Died, 1971. Over.

(Subjects: Hospitals)

Rev. Robert Stockton
(Marker Number: 1496)

County: Metcalfe
Location: 2 mi. W. of Edmonton, US 68, KY 80

Description: Site of the home and grave of this Revolutionary War chaplain and pioneer Baptist preacher. Born in Va., 1743. "Submitted to believer's baptism" in 1771. Captured by the British at Brandywine, 1777, and held prisoner two years. Came to this area, 1799. Stockton helped form Strawberry and Green River Baptist Associations of which he was moderator. He died here, 1824.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Brandywine, Battle of | Revolutionary War)

Savoyard
(Marker Number: 1000)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Savoyard, KY 314

Description: Birthplace of Eugene W. Newman, whose pen name was given to the town, formerly Chicken Bristle. A noted Washington columnist for several metropolitan newspapers and author of sketches about the Pennyrile of Kentucky. Known as great political writer, praised by contemporaries for understanding of people and versatility. Newman lived 1845-1923; buried Edmonton.

(Subjects: Clark, George Rogers)

William Henry Newman
(Marker Number: 1257)

County: Metcalfe
Location: Edmonton Public Square, US 68

Description: "One of the foremost railroad managers in the country." He was an associate of the great railroad builders. President of New York Central R.R., 1901-09, successor to Cornelius Vanderbilt. He merged 14 lines into New York Central System; planned Twentieth Century Lmtd. and Grand Central Terminal. Born in Metcalfe County, 1848. Died in New York City, 1918.