KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

Search by County:

Select the county name from the selection box below or see the clickable state map and county list.

Alexander Walters (1858-1917)
(Marker Number: 1771)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, at the A.M.E. Zion Church, 219 East Brashear Ave.

Description: This 24th bishop of A.M.E. Zion Church was born in Bardstown and educated under church auspices. Local A.M.E. Zion Church sponsored him for ministry. Licensed to preach, 1877; elected bishop, 1892. Served as president of National Afro-American Council and Pan African Conference. He was a leader of National Negro Committee, which later became NAACP.

(Subjects: African American)

Bardstown
(Marker Number: 1668)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, Courthouse square, US 62, 150

Description: Bardstown area was explored in mid-1770s. William Bard came here in 1780 as agent for his brother David and John C. Owings, and laid off the town. Settlement was first called Salem. A land grant of 1000 acres was issued by the Virginia General Assembly in 1785. Of this land 100 acres, including Salem, were set aside for county seat. Over.

(Reverse) Bardstown - William Bard laid off the town and granted two acres for erection of courthouse and other public buildings in the name of his brother David, who remained in Pennsylvania. The first courthouse, of hewn logs, was built 1785; by then the town was called Baird's Town, a variation of family name. It was designated Bardstown when incorporated in 1788. Over.

(Subjects: Bardstown | Dunmore, John Murray)

Ben Johnson House
(Marker Number: 1686)

County: Nelson
Location: 1003 North Third St., US 31-E, Bardstown

Description: Well-known representative and state senator Ben Johnson (1858-1950) was born and lived most of his life here. This native son was a member of Congress for 20 consecutive years and served on Ky. Highway Commission under 4 administrations. The house was built in 1856 for Ben's father, William Johnson, who was state senator and lieutenant governor of Kentucky. Over.

(Reverse) Confederate Flag Raising - Nancy Johnson, mother of Ben Johnson, was a member of the committee to select flag of the Confederacy. The one chosen, designed by Nicola Marschall, was unfurled here in 1861 before some 5,000 people. Gen. John Hunt Morgan, escaping from northern prison, stayed here overnight. The house listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1979. Over.

(Subjects: Artists | Morgan, John Hunt | National Register of Historic Places)

Benedict Joseph Flaget (1763-1850)
(Marker Number: 1827)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, Courthouse lawn

Description: A priest for 62 years, the "First Bishop of the West" became Bishop of Bardstown, 1810; of Louisville, 1841. Jurisdiction embraced area of Ky., Tenn., and old Northwest Territory. Flaget directed founding of colleges, congregations, and St. Joseph's Cathedral; witnessed ten dioceses formed from region. Bishop buried in Louisville.

(Subjects: Bishops | Catholic Church | Flaget, Bishop Benedict Joseph)

Bethlehem Academy
(Marker Number: 1943)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, Bethlehem High School, 309 W. Stephen Foster Ave., US 31-E & 62

Description: Began 1819, when Bishop Flaget asked the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth to open elementary school in Bardstown area. Sisters Harriet Gardiner, Polly Beaven, and Nancy Lynch started school which Father David named Bethlehem. Served as elementary and high school for girls; moved to present site from 5th St., 1959. Became coed, 1970. Presented by Bethlehem High School.

(Subjects: Bishops | Flaget, Bishop Benedict Joseph | Sisters of Charity of Nazareth)

Camp Charity
(Marker Number: 506)

County: Nelson
Location: 7 mi. E. of Bardstown, US 62

Description: Named by Lexington Rifles, under John Hunt Morgan, who camped here Sept. 1861. Friendly people took no pay for food. With additional recruits, horses and supplies they joined Confederates at Green River September 30. The Rifles were mustered in as Second Cavalry Regiment, Ky. Volunteers, CSA, which developed into a Division, renowned as "Morgan's Raiders."

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

Cedar Creek Baptist
(Marker Number: 1078)

County: Nelson
Location: 4 mi. W. of Bardstown, US 62

Description: One mile south, site of The First Cedar Creek Baptist Church, second Baptist church constituted in Ky., July 4, 1781, fifth anniversary of Declaration of Independence. Pioneer settlers of nearby Rogers Station, 1780, Col. James Rogers, first judge, Nelson Co., Atkinson Hill, Judge James Slaughter, and Mathew, William, Jonathan Rogers among founders of the church. Over.

(Reverse)

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Forts and Stations)

Confederates Here
(Marker Number: 674)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, Courthouse lawn, US 62, 150

Description: On CSA invasion, Bragg's army of 28,000 camped here, September 20 to October 3, 1862. Moved to Harrodsburg, then met Buell's Union army in Battle of Perryville, Oct. 8. CSA Gen. John H. Morgan, on raid, camped here, Dec. 29, 1862. On a later raid, July 6, 1863, Morgan delayed here by night-long skirmish with 25 Union cavalrymen. See map on other side.

(Subjects: Bardstown | Bragg, Braxton | Buell, Don Carlos | Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt | Perryville, Battle of)

County Named, 1784
(Marker Number: 956)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, Courthouse lawn, US 31-E, 62

Description: For Thomas Nelson, 1738-89. Member Va. House of Burgesses. In the first provincial convention, 1774; Continental Congress, 1775-77 and 1779. Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Commander of Va. Militia, 1777-81. Governor of Va., 1781. Commended for selfless patriotism in ordering guns to fire on his own home, the British headquarters, at Yorktown, 1781.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Diocese of Bardstown
(Marker Number: 2111)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, entrance to Saint Joseph Cathedral, 310 W. Stephen Foster Ave.

Description: From 1808 to 1841 the Bardstown Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church provided leadership for a ten-state area. Under the guidance of Bishop Benedict Joseph Flaget, the church at Bardstown became a religious and education center. In 1841 Flaget and the See of the diocese were moved to Louisville. Over. Presented by Saint Joseph Cathedral.

(Reverse) Saint Joseph Cathedral - Planned by Bishop Flaget and designed by John Rogers, the cathedral was dedicated Aug. 8, 1819. It is constructed of locally quarried stone, hand-made bricks, and pillars hewn from nearby trees. Catholics and Protestants donated materials, money, and labor to the project. It is first Roman Catholic cathedral built in U. S. west of Allegheny Mountains.

(Subjects: Bardstown | Catholic Church | Flaget, Bishop Benedict Joseph)

Edgewood
(Marker Number: 1101)

County: Nelson
Location: 5th St. at site of home, Bardstown, US 31-E, 150

Description: Right wing built, 1815, main part, 1819, by Ben Hardin, noted lawyer, statesman, member Kentucky Legislature and U.S. Congress. Hardin born in Penn., 1784; his daughter married John L. Helm, twice Ky. Governor and President L&N R.R. Their son Ben Hardin Helm, CSA Gen., born here, 1831, married Emilie Todd, sister of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of 16th U.S. President. See over.

(Reverse) Edgewood - General Leonidas Polk used this as headquarters during Confederate occupation of Bardstown. Barbecues here in the 1840's brought Henry Clay, Judge John Rowan and John J. Crittenden as speakers. Other notable visitors included Cassius M. Clay, Gen. William Preston, Felix Grundy, Jesse Bledsoe. In rear of place is site of famous Rowan-Chambers 1801 duel. See over.

(Subjects: Clay, Cassius M. | Clay, Henry | Crittenden, John J. | Duels | Lincoln, Mary Todd | Louisville and Nashville Railroad | Polk, Leonidas K.)

Federal Hill-My Old Kentucky Home
(Marker Number: 1102)

County: Nelson
Location: Entrance to Park, Bardstown, US 150

Description: Inspiration for the state song of Kentucky by Stephen Collins Foster in 1853. Judge John Rowan, cousin, owned and had built back wing in 1795 and the front in 1818. Federal Hill became renowned as a center of legal, political and social activity. In Senate Rowan led amending US judicial system and ending imprisonment for debt.

Froman’s Road and Station / McGee’s Stone Castle
(Marker Number: 2168)

County: Nelson
Location: Ky. Hwy. 31E, Bardstown

Description: One mile to the northwest, Paul Froman, grandson of pioneer Joist Hite, cut his wagon road in 1781 from the Salt River stations near Bullitt’s Lick to his new station (1782) on the east side of Froman’s Creek. First improved road south of Towne branch of Salt. New fort sped settlement of central Nelson County.

(Reverse) Paul Froman’s in-laws, Thomas, John, and Patrick McGee, jointly acquired the 1000-acre Froman claim. Patrick McGee, mason, hunter, land-locator, salt-maker, ferry and tavern operator, built Stone Castle beside Froman’s Station before 1790. One of first stone houses built after settlement of central Kentucky.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations)

Gethsemani
(Marker Number: 168)

County: Nelson
Location: E. of New Haven, KY 247

Description: Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani. Founded-1848-by the Order of Trappist-Cistercians. Founded-1098-in France. Noted for prayer, labor and silence.

Goodwin (Goodin) Fort
(Marker Number: 1471)

County: Nelson
Location: Near Boston, KY 52, north of Jct. with Stillwell-Patton Rd.

Description: Established by Samuel Goodwin in 1780 at the site of Old Boston. Important link with other stations encircling future Bardstown, and became refuge for pioneers in area. Fort raided by Indians, July 1781. Peter Kennedy led the reprisal against Indians, but captured. He escaped after two years. Though pursued by Indians, he warned settlers, who repelled the attack.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians)

Ham Brown Log Cabin
(Marker Number: 2249)

County: Nelson
Location: 801 Taylorsville Rd., Bloomfield

Description: Prior to the Civil War, Ham Brown was “a free man of color.” On May 21, 1866, he purchased the cabin in Bloomfield and it remained in his family until 1980. Ham, a shoemaker, and Adeline Brown had seven children. Vacant and in disrepair, the cabin was moved to Walnut Groves farm and restored in 1998. Cabin was built ca. 1850 as slave quarters.

(Subjects: African American | Slavery)

James Guthrie (1792-1869)
(Marker Number: 1883)

County: Nelson
Location: City Hall, Railroad St., Bloomfield

Description: Guthrie-lawyer, statesman, and financier-became a noted leader interested in both the development of resources and politics. In Gen. Assembly he promoted legislation for Bank of Kentucky and framed its charter. Guthrie strongly advocated railroad construction. During Civil War, he was conservative Unionist. As L&N pres., he placed railroad in service of U.S. government. Over.

(Reverse) James Guthrie (1792-1869) - This railroad promoter and U.S. Secretary of Treasury was born near Bloomfield. Appointed, at age 28, Commonwealth's Attorney by Governor Adair. He represented Jefferson Co. and Louisville in General Assembly, 1827-40. Guthrie served as president of Kentucky Constitutional Conv., 1849; as U.S. Treasurer, 1853-57, under Pierce; and in U.S. Senate, 1865-68. Over.

(Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1849) | Louisville and Nashville Railroad | Railroads)

Kincheloe's Station
(Marker Number: 1586)

County: Nelson
Location: 7 mi. E. of Bardstown, US 62

Description: Near here is site of Kincheloe's Station. Named for Capt. William Kincheloe, one of the leaders who established station in early 1780s. Later called Polke's Station for Chas. Polke, who claimed the land. Indians made a surprise attack in Sept., 1782, and massacred many men, women and children. Known as "Burnt Station" after Indians captured and burned it.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians)

L&N Steam Engine 152
(Marker Number: 2200)

County: Nelson
Location: Railway Museum (next to track & station), New Haven

Description: The "Official State Locomotive of Kentucky," Rogers Works of NJ built this 4-6-2 Light Pacific in Oct. 1905. Was donated to KY Railway Museum by the Louisville & Nashville RR in 1954 and was resrored and put back in service in 1985. Engine reportedly pulled trains of presidents Roosevelt, Hoover, & Truman and prison train of gangster Al Capone.

(Reverse) On the National Register of Historic Places, Engine 152 ran on the Louisville & Nashville RR (L&N), including the Lebanon Branch through New Haven. Also ran between Mobile and New Orleans & hauled coal during the 1920s coal boom in E.KY. It runs as one of the last surviving L&N steam engines in the world.

(Subjects: Coal | Louisville and Nashville Railroad | National Register of Historic Places)

Mile Stone, ca. 1835
(Marker Number: 1021)

County: Nelson
Location: Cox's Creek, US 31-E, 150

Description: Along the early turnpikes the law required mile posts. Some were cut from stone and some cast in iron. They showed the distance to each end of the turnpike. Typical of the stone markers are 14 along the east side of the present highway, at their approximate initial locations beside the old Bardstown-Louisville Turnpike. See over.

(Reverse) An Early Turnpike - The Bardstown-Louisville Turnpike Company, chartered by the Kentucky Legislature in 1831, was capitalized at $130,000, increased to $200,000. Shares owned half by individuals, half by state. Turnpike completed July 1, 1838, at cost of $203,598. Length of road 29 miles, width 60 feet cleared with 40 graded. Tolls collected during the year ended Oct. 1841: $9,755. See over.

Morgan's Second Raid
(Marker Number: 705)

County: Nelson
Location: Boston, US 62

Description: CSA Gen. John H. Morgan ordered Col. D. W. Chenault's regiment to burn the railroad trestle here, Dec. 29, 1862. This and destruction of two trestles at Muldraugh's Hill, the previous day, put L&N railroad, the main USA supply line, out of use for critical period. On 14-day Kentucky raid, Morgan destroyed $2,000,000 U.S. property, captured 1,877 USA troops. See map.

(Subjects: Civil War | Morgan, John Hunt)

Nazareth College
(Marker Number: 896)

County: Nelson
Location: College entrance, N. of Bardstown, US 31-E

Description: Mother House of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth since 1822. The first establishment was made in 1812 at St. Thomas Plantation five miles southwest of Bardstown. The site of Nazareth Academy, now Nazareth College of Kentucky, founded 1814, chartered 1829. Bishop John Baptist Mary David and Mother Catherine Spalding, co-founders, buried in cemetery.

(Subjects: Schools | Sisters of Charity of Nazareth)

Nelson Furnace
(Marker Number: 1113)

County: Nelson
Location: E. of Nelsonville, KY 52

Description: Organized by William and Mordecai Miller and John Irwin in 1836. The blast furnace had two forty-foot pyramidal stone stacks with six-foot hearths. Output of iron in 1857 was 12 tons daily. The Civil War boom in iron brought the merger with Belmont Furnace, Bullitt County, in 1865. After nine years, Nelson and Belmont furnace closed down, 1874. Over.

(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. Old charcoal furnace era ended by depletion of ore and timber and the growth of railroads. See over.

(Subjects: Iron Industry)

Pottinger's Station
(Marker Number: 1433)

County: Nelson
Location: Near Gethsemani, KY 52, 1 mi. E. of Jct. KY 247 & 52

Description: Site of one of the forts which protected the early settlement of Bardstown. Built by Samuel Pottinger, soldier in Revolution, who first saw the land in 1778 when he came from Maryland with troops of Capt. James Harrod. In 1781 Pottinger returned with his family and built station. It was often used as a refuge for other settlers migrating to Kentucky.

(Subjects: Bardstown | Forts and Stations | Harrod, James | Revolutionary War)

Rogers Station, 1780
(Marker Number: 820)

County: Nelson
Location: 4 mi. W. of Bardstown, US 62

Description: Site of station located on 1,000-acre tract "marked and improved" in 1775 by Col. James Rogers. Born Va., 1742, died Ky., 1828. Fought in Dunmore's War, 1774, and Revolutionary War. Appointed Colonel, Nelson Co., Ky. Militia and the Justice of the Peace by Patrick Henry, Gov. of Va. Signer of "Petitions of Early Inhabitants of Ky." for separation from Va.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Henry, Patrick | Revolutionary War)

Romantic 1825 Tragedy
(Marker Number: 1077)

County: Nelson
Location: Bloomfield, at Cemetery, US 62, KY 44

Description: Jereboam Beauchamp and wife Anna buried here in same coffin at own request. To avenge her alleged seduction by Col. Solomon Sharp, Beauchamp murdered him at Sharp's Frankfort home, 1825. Beauchamp and Anna were held in Frankfort jail. She was released but joined her husband in his cell, refusing to be separated even by force. He was sentenced to hang. See over.

(Reverse) Romantic 1825 Tragedy - On execution day, they attempted suicide by stabbing themselves. Her wound was fatal, but he lived to be hanged that day, the first legal hanging in Ky., 1826. Col. Sharp's political prominence caused case to have widespread newspaper publicity. Edgar Allan Poe and many other authors wrote of the tragedy, inspired by Beauchamps' deep devotion and love. See over.

Rowan-Chambers Duel
(Marker Number: 1281)

County: Nelson
Location: S. of Bardstown, US 31-E

Description: Site in valley to east, one of most famous duels in Kentucky because of prominent men involved. John Rowan, later jurist, and US Senator. His second, George M. Bibb, Kentucky Chief Justice, US Senator, Secretary of Treasury. Dr. James Chambers was popular physician. An argument on Jan. 29, 1801, climaxed in duel on Feb. 3. Dr. Chambers was killed in the second round of firing.

(Subjects: Bibb, George M. | Duels)

Saint Thomas Farm
(Marker Number: 857)

County: Nelson
Location: 3 mi. S. of Bardstown, US 31-E

Description: The cradle of the Catholic Church in Ky., 1/2 mile east. In 1811, became residence of Bishop Flaget and Father David, when pioneering Saint Joseph's Cathedral, Saint Joseph's College and the old Bethlehem Academy in Bardstown. First home, 1812, of The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Founding site of Saint Thomas Seminary and Saint Thomas Orphanage, Louisville.

(Subjects: Bishops | Catholic Church | Flaget, Bishop Benedict Joseph | Schools | Sisters of Charity of Nazareth)

Salem Academy
(Marker Number: 1285)

County: Nelson
Location: 517 N. 3rd St., Bardstown, US 31-E

Description: Bardstown's first school, 1788, formed by Va. act. James Priestley, the noted educator, in charge. One class of Kentuckians later noted in life consisted of John Rowan, Judge and US Senator; Joe Daveiss, lawyer and hero in Battle of Tippecanoe; John Pope, US Senator; Felix Grundy, Appeals Court Chief Justice; Rev. Archibald Cameron, noted preacher.

(Subjects: Bardstown | Tippecanoe, Battle of | War of 1812)

Spalding Hall
(Marker Number: 1897)

County: Nelson
Location: 114 N. Fifth, Bardstown

Description: Erected in 1826 and later named for Bishop M. J. Spalding. Until 1889, it was part of St. Joseph College, founded by Bishop B. J. Flaget. Jesuits took charge of celebrated college, 1848-1868. During Civil War, St. Joseph was a military hospital. Spalding Hall has served as college and seminary, as orphanage, and as St. Joseph Prep School directed by Xaverian Brothers from 1911-68.

(Subjects: Bishops | Catholic Church | Civil War | Schools)

Steamboat Inventor
(Marker Number: 944)

County: Nelson
Location: Old Town Cem., Bardstown, US 31-E

Description: First burial place of John Fitch. Reinterred, 1927, in Court Square. Born Conn., 1743. Appointed Lt. of N.J. Co., lst Reg. in Revolutionary War. Named Ky. deputy surveyor, 1780. Acquired 1,600 acres. Established home here in 1782. Conceived idea of steamboat 1785; built small one, 1786. Demonstrated larger one on Delaware River before framers of US Constitution, 1787. See over.

(Reverse) Steamboat Inventor - In Oct., 1788, he built boat which carried passengers on 20-mile trip from Philadelphia to Burlington. In 1790 constructed boat which ran regular schedule between those cities. On Aug. 26, 1791, patent granted to Fitch by US Congress. France also granted patent, 1791. Returned here, 1796, died in 1798. Robert Fulton developed his boat, The Clermont, in 1807. See over.

(Subjects: Inventors | Revolutionary War | Steamboats)

Successful Surgery
(Marker Number: 1282)

County: Nelson
Location: Bardstown, Courthouse lawn, US 31-E, 62

Description: The first successful amputation of a leg at the hip joint in US. Done here by Dr. Walter Brashear in 1806 without any precedent to guide him. The patient was a seventeen-year-old boy whose leg had been badly mangled. Dr. Brashear was born in 1776, came to Kentucky, 1784, and studied medicine under Dr. Frederick Ridgely of Lexington. He died in 1860.

(Subjects: Physicians)

Walnut Groves Farm
(Marker Number: 2228)

County: Nelson
Location: 801 Taylorsville Road, Bloomfield

Description: Established in 1818 when Samuel Boone Merrifield and his wife, Frances Bemiss, purchased 333 acres on Simpson Creek. Farm was originally a 1,000-acre Virginia land grant, signed by Governor Patrick Henry, to Thomas Lewis on June 1, 1785. Merrifield was trained as a physician by his wife’s father and Bloomfield town founder, Dr. John Bemiss.

(Reverse) The Greek Revival mansion was built by Matthew Batcheldor, a carpenter and builder of national repute. The interior finish of the house is among the finest Greek Revival woodwork in the state. The farm also includes a brick smokehouse, tobacco barn, and cabin that belonged to Abraham Lincoln’s uncle.

(Subjects: Architects | Henry, Patrick | Lincoln, Abraham | Physicians)

Wickland
(Marker Number: 1604)

County: Nelson
Location: Near city limits of Bardstown, US 62

Description: This Georgian mansion, built ca. 1815 by Charles A. Wickliffe, is known as the home of 3 governors: the builder, gov. of Ky., 1839-40; his son, Robert C. Wickliffe, gov. of Louisiana, 1856-60; and his grandson, J. C. W. Beckham, gov. of Ky., 1900-07. Based on designs of John Rogers and John M. Brown, it has hand-carved woodwork and stairway with no visible support.

(Subjects: Beckham, J.C.W.)