KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Bourbon County, 1786
(Marker Number: 1246)

County: Bourbon
Location: Paris, Courthouse lawn, US 27, 460

Description: Named for the royal French family who aided the colonies in the War of Independence. Bourbon was one of nine Virginia counties formed before Kentucky became a state in 1792. From its original area all of twenty-four counties and parts of ten other new ones were made. At this site the first courthouse in 1787 marked the county seat. Known as Hopewell, renamed Paris.

Bourbon Whiskey/ Jacob Spears
(Marker Number: 2295)

County: Bourbon
Location: Crossroads of Clay-Kiser & US 27, Paris

Description: Named after Bourbon Co. because of quantity and quality of whiskey produced within its borders. Made from a fermented mash of at least 51% corn, with less wheat, rye, or barley, yeast and limestone water. Distilled at no more than 160 proof and aged in charred oak barrels. In 1964, Congress recognized bourbon as a distinctly American product.

(Reverse) Stone Castle, 1 mile south, built 1790 by Thomas Metcalfe for Jacob Spears. A Pennsylvanian who settled in Paris, he was innovative farmer & one of first distillers of bourbon whiskey. Still standing on this farm are a springhouse and a storehouse for his bourbon whiskey. It is the most complete distiller’s complex still in existence today.

(Subjects: Distilleries | Farms)

Cane Ridge Meeting House
(Marker Number: 51)

County: Bourbon
Location: 6 mi. E. of Paris, KY 537

Description: Built by Presbyterians, 1791. Here Barton W. Stone began his ministry, 1796. Famous revival attended by pioneers of many faiths, 1801. Springfield Presbytery dissolved and "Christian Church" launched June 28, 1804.

(Subjects: Christian Church)

Centerville Baptist Church
(Marker Number: 2178)

County: Bourbon
Location: 246 Russell Cave Rd., Hwy. 353

Description: Established in 1867 under Rev. Thomas Gant after members left the fellowship of First Baptist Church, Paris, Rev. Elisha Green, pastor. Current church structure of wood mold brick built in 1904. Membership includes descendants of the original congregation.

(Subjects: African American | Baptist Church)

Colville Covered Bridge
(Marker Number: 1566)

County: Bourbon
Location: 4 mi. NW of Millersburg, US 68

Description: Built in 1877, this bridge spans Hinkston Creek. It is of Burr truss construction, which is the multiple king post type. The single span is 124 feet long and 18 feet wide. It was restored by Louis Bower in 1913 and by his son "Stock," 1937. In 1976, Colville is the last surviving bridge in Bourbon Co. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1974.

(Reverse) Covered Bridges - Covered bridges were first built in the 1790s but did not become widely popular until after 1814. They were covered to protect them from the weather. At one time there were more than 400 covered bridges in Ky. The timbered spans have played a romantic role in our history. Some were destroyed during the Civil War. The remaining ones are a nostalgic link with the past.

(Subjects: Covered Bridges | Creeks | National Register of Historic Places)

CSA at Paris, 1862
(Marker Number: 696)

County: Bourbon
Location: Paris, Courthouse lawn, US 27, 68

Description: Gen. John Hunt Morgan's cavalry on first Kentucky raid after its Cynthiana victory came to Paris, July 18, 1862. Citizens group had held out for days but surrendered. Warned of Union force nearby, CSA escaped pursuit, returned to Tenn. Paris occupied, Sept. 1862, during Confederate threat north. Capital at Frankfort, Georgetown, Lexington also held. See map over.

(Subjects: Capitals | Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Duncan Tavern
(Marker Number: 93)

County: Bourbon
Location: 323 High St., Paris, US 68, 460

Description: Built in 1788. Gathering place of pioneers. Shrine, Museum, Library. Restored by Kentucky Daughters of the American Revolution.

(Subjects: Museums)

Eades Tavern
(Marker Number: 1824)

County: Bourbon
Location: 421 High St., Paris

Description: This log building lined with adz-hewn cherry was built as a tavern. In 1795 it became first post office in Paris. Thomas Eades then served as tavern owner and postmaster. Robert Trimble had home and law office here before becoming U.S. Supreme Court justice, 1826. It became site of Lizzie Walker's private school. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1973.

(Subjects: National Register of Historic Places | Taverns)

Edward Boone (1740-80)
(Marker Number: 2059)

County: Bourbon
Location: 870 See Rd., 3/4 mi. N. of Jct. KY 537 & See Rd.

Description: Death site of Edward Boone, a brother of renowned Kentucky pioneer Daniel Boone. Edward was killed by Indians here Oct. 1780 at age 40 while hunting with Daniel. Boone Creek named for Edward. Daniel and Edward wed sisters, Rebecca and Martha Bryan, whose family built and settled Bryan Station near Lexington. Presented by The Boone Society, Inc.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Creeks | Forts and Stations | Indians)

Famous Inventor, 1877-1963
(Marker Number: 1493)

County: Bourbon
Location: Tenth & Vine Sts., Paris, KY 627

Description: Sites of birthplace of Garrett A. Morgan, and Branch School, which he attended, are 1/4 mile south. He invented the tri-color traffic signal, forerunner of the present type, and a gas mask worn in rescue work at Cleveland, Ohio, 1916. His mask was the basis for one used in World War I. In his honor the Claysville area is renamed "Garrett Morgan Place."

(Subjects: African American | Inventors | World War I)

First Christian Church
(Marker Number: 2090)

County: Bourbon
Location: Paris, 911 High St.

Description: First Christian Church organized 1827 by Thomas Allen, John Gano, and six "brave and forthright" women. Part of movement led by Barton W. Stone out of 1801 Cane Ridge Revival promoting Christian unity on New Testament authority. Prominent from its beginning, the congregation hosted many early movement leaders, including Barton Stone and Alexander Campbell.

(Reverse) - First Christian Church - First building Eighth and Main St. dedicated 1828. Rapid growth required expansion; new structure on same site was dedicated 1858. Building used as Union divisional headquarters in Civil War. The present building of Romanesque style of native Kentucky stone was dedicated in 1902. Education addition was dedicated in 1959. Presented by First Christian Church.

(Subjects: Campbell, Alexander | Christian Church | Civil War | Union Army)

Garrett Davis (1801-1872)
(Marker Number: 1886)

County: Bourbon
Location: Link Ave., Winchester Rd., KY 627, Paris

Description: This lawyer, state legislator, and congressman, who played leading role in preventing 1861 secession of Kentucky, lived 1 block north. Davis represented Bourbon Co. in legislature. In Congress, 1839-47, 1861-72; Ky. Const. Conv., 1849. A Whig ally of Henry Clay, he joined the American (Know-Nothing) party but refused their nomination for pres., 1856; later a Democrat.

(Subjects: Clay, Henry | Constitutional Convention (1890-91))

Hopewell
(Marker Number: 1855)

County: Bourbon
Location: At church, 102 Hutchison Station Rd., Paris, US 27 & 68

Description: Hopewell, one of the oldest Presbyterian churches in Bourbon County, has held worship services since 1785. The first congregation included Dutch settlers. It was recognized by the Transylvania Presbytery in 1787. Original church was located near Grant's Fort, one mile from this site. After fort and church burned, the church was rebuilt here in 1823 and in 1904.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Presbyterian Church)

John Edwards, 1748-1837
(Marker Number: 1722)

County: Bourbon
Location: Paris, Courthouse lawn, US 27 & 68

Description: As early legislator, Edwards was member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 1781-83, 1785, 1786. He was a delegate to the convention to ratify Federal Constitution, June 1788, and to conventions that separated Kentucky from Virginia. Edwards served as a representative to the 1792 convention which framed the first constitution of Ky. Over.

(Reverse) Westwood - Six miles west on Brentsville Road on Cooper's Run is the site of the home of John Edwards, one of Kentucky's first two United States senators, 1792-1795. In Virginia he married Susannah Wroe and came to Ky. in 1780. He served in militia and became first clerk of Bourbon County. Elected to Ky. House of Representatives, 1795; then to Ky. Senate, 1796-1800. See over.

(Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1792))

Johnston's Inn
(Marker Number: 1283)

County: Bourbon
Location: 5 mi. W. of Paris, KY 627

Description: Robert Johnston, a Revolutionary War captain, was born in Virginia in 1749. He and his wife operated a tavern in their house here from 1796-1812. Located on what was the main road between Maysville and Lexington, this inn served stage and horseback passengers in its 30-foot tavern room with sleeping accommodations overhead. This house appears on first Ky. map of 1784.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Kentucky Novelist
(Marker Number: 1141)

County: Bourbon
Location: 6.7 mi. E. of Paris, KY 627

Description: Site of birthplace and early home of John Fox, Jr., famous Kentucky author, born 1862, graduated from Harvard in 1883. Died, 1919. His understanding of mountain life in Ky. and Va. revealed in 12 novels and 45 short stories, including The Little Shepherd Of Kingdom Come, among first books published in US to sell one million copies, and Trail Of The Lonesome Pine.

(Subjects: Authors | Books)

Mae Street Kidd (1904-99)
(Marker Number: 2147)

County: Bourbon
Location: Millersburg, Main St., between center gates and Seventh St.

Description: Born in Millersburg, Kidd devoted much of her life to civil rights causes. Served as representative in Ky. state legislature, 1968-85, earning her nickname, “Lady of the House.” Kidd led Ky.’s ratification of 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to U.S. Constitution, ending slavery and giving citizenship and voting rights to African Americans after being in effect for 112 yrs.

(Reverse) Kidd sponsored bills that resulted in laws that ensured equal and open housing for all Kentuckians. Also first woman elected sec. of Democratic caucus. Among honors: King/Kennedy Award, NAACP Unsung Heroine Award, and Louisville Mayor’s Citation for Outstanding Community Service. Buried Zachary Taylor National Cem., Louisville.

(Subjects: Civil Rights | Women)

Martin's Station - One mile
(Marker Number: 150)

County: Bourbon
Location: 3 mi. NW of Paris, US 27

Description: Revolutionary fort built in 1779, destroyed by British and Indians commanded by Captain Henry Bird, June 18, 1780.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians | Revolutionary War)

Ruddell's Mills
(Marker Number: 1462)

County: Bourbon
Location: Ruddell's Mills, KY 1940

Description: Near his home Isaac Ruddell built a gristmill in 1788 on the north side of Hinkson bridge, and a sawmill in 1795 to be operated by his son, Abram. A 720-spindle cotton mill erected 500 feet west by Thomas and Hugh Brent in 1828, burned 1836. Soon rebuilt by Abram Spears, it also spun wool until about 1855. Ruddell gave land for Stoner Mouth Church and cemetery.

Silas Baptist Church 1 mile west
(Marker Number: 1596)

County: Bourbon
Location: Russell Cave Road, KY 353

Description: Organized by 20 members of the Cooper's Run Church in 1800, with the help of Ambrose Dudley, George Eve and Augustine Eastin. They built at this site on land given, 1798, by Charles Smith, Sr. The log structure was replaced by a brick house of worship in 1850 and redecorated in 1902. It is the oldest church in the county continuing without interruption.

(Subjects: Baptist Church)

Site of 1792 Church
(Marker Number: 753)

County: Bourbon
Location: 3 mi. N. of Paris, US 68

Description: Built of two-foot blue ash logs as home by Daniel Matheny, 1790. With Jacob Leer as class leader Mt. Gilead Methodist Society was organized here by Reverend Caleb Jarvis Taylor, author of revival hymns. Members were not allowed to buy slaves except to free them when their labor repaid the cost. Lot deeded for perpetual cemetery in 1878, after the church closed.

Site of Fairfield
(Marker Number: 82)

County: Bourbon
Location: 4 mi. NW of Paris, US 27

Description: One mile northeast. Built by James Garrard, second Governor of Kentucky, 1796-1800; reelected 1800-04. Bourbon County's first court held here, 1786. Near here, Mt. Lebanon, Kentucky's earliest Governor's mansion.

William Holmes McGuffey
(Marker Number: 178)

County: Bourbon
Location: High St., Paris

Description: Born September 23, 1800-Died May 4, 1873. Famous for his eclectic readers which introduced thousands of children to the treasures of literature. At this site he taught from 1823 to 1826 before joining the faculty of Miami University.