KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Carlisle Passenger Depot
(Marker Number: 1764)

County: Nicholas
Location: 101 Market St., Carlisle

Description: Built in 1912 by L & N soon after original frame depot burned. The Lexington and Maysville Railroad was completed to Carlisle by 1871; railroad joined L & N system, 1891. Land donated for depot by thirteen citizens and businesses in 1882. Depot purchased in 1978 by Nicholas Co. Historical Society and listed on National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Renovated 1981.

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

Col. Daniel Boone, 1734-1820
(Marker Number: 1230)

County: Nicholas
Location: 51/2 mi. N. of Carlisle, US 68

Description: Daniel Boone's last home in Ky. In spring of 1795, Daniel Boone and his wife returned from Va. and built log cabin. Restored cabin ?. Boone and family lived here until they moved to Louisiana Territory (Missouri), 1799. Boone fought in last battle of Am. Revolution in the West, August 19, 1782, at Lower Blue Licks, 7 miles north.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Boone, Daniel | Indians)

County Namesake
(Marker Number: 708)

County: Nicholas
Location: Carlisle, Courthouse lawn, KY 32, 36

Description: George Nicholas, 1743-99, born in Virginia. Colonel, Revolutionary War. Zealous advocate of Virginia adoption of Federal Constitution, 1788. He came to Kentucky, 1790. "Brightest luminary" in Kentucky's first constitutional convention. Became first Attorney General of State. First Transylvania law professor. Extensive landholder. Invested in cloth manufacture, iron furnace.

(Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1792) | Revolutionary War)

Dr. Charles W. Mathers 1856-1937
(Marker Number: 2053)

County: Nicholas
Location: Carlisle, Main St., Courthouse lawn, KY 36

Description: This Nicholas Co. native served as county judge; state representative, 1888 and 1890; and state senator, 1908. He was a medical doctor, extensive landowner, agriculturist, pres. of Farmers Bank of Carlisle, and a director of Exchange Bank of Millersburg. Dr. Mathers is buried in the Carlisle Cemetery. Presented by Private Donations.

(Reverse) Nicholas County Benefactor - Charles Mathers, philanthropist, anonymously paid tuition of orphan girls at Midway Orphan School and sent food and fuel to poor widows at Christmas. His trusts include the Mathers perpetual educational fund for needy children; a Nicholas County hospital fund; a school fund for Pike, Letcher, and Breathitt County children; and the Midway Female Orphans School Trust Fund.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Schools | Physicians)

Ellis' Old Stone Tavern
(Marker Number: 1615)

County: Nicholas
Location: 2 mi. S. of Blue Licks, US 68

Description: Near here, Ellis Station, Boone stopped enroute to Battle of Blue Licks. House built ca. 1807 by James Ellis, Revolutionary War soldier; it was well-known point on "Smith's Wagon Road" and Ohio-to-Alabama mail stagecoach line. Ellisville named county seat of Nicholas Co., 1805. Across road stood county's first courthouse, 1806-1816. Seat moved to Carlisle.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Forts and Stations | Revolutionary War)

Forest Retreat
(Marker Number: 660)

County: Nicholas
Location: 4 mi. NW of Carlisle, US 68, KY 32

Description: Built in 1820 by Thomas Metcalfe, born Va. 1780, died 1855, buried here. Capt., War of 1812; member 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 used by Lieutenant Governor, and built Green County Courthouse, 1806, in use, 1964.

(Subjects: Courthouses | Crittenden, John J.)

Lower Blue Licks
(Marker Number: 162)

County: Nicholas
Location: N. of Licking River, US 68

Description: Famous salt lick. Bones of large prehistoric animals dating from late glacial and early post-glacial epochs recovered here. In February, 1778, Daniel Boone and thirty companions, while making salt at this lick, were captured by Indians.

(Subjects: Boone, Daniel | Salt Works)

Old Concord Church
(Marker Number: 935)

County: Nicholas
Location: Near KY 36 & Dorsey St., Carlisle

Description: Organized 1793, 21/2 miles south. Site of Presbyterian Church and school made famous by its pioneer pastors: John Rankin, Barton W. Stone, Sam'l Shannon, John Rogers, John P. Campbell, Samuel Rannels, Robert Marshall, Robert Finley, James Welsh. In 1851 control of Old Concord was relinquished to Christian Church. Log structure replaced by present church, 1860.

(Subjects: Christian Church | Presbyterian Church)

Patriot-Pioneer
(Marker Number: 897)

County: Nicholas
Location: Near Blue Licks Union Church, Old US 68

Description: Site of home and grave of Major George M. Bedinger over on hilltop. Born Pennsylvania, 1756. Died 1843. Officer War of Revolution. In defense of Boonesborough, 1779, and at siege of Yorktown, 1781. In 1784 came back to Ky. First to survey this area. Indian campaign, 1791. Ky. legislator, 1792-94. US Congress, 1803-07. Opposed slavery. Freed his slaves at their age thirty.

(Subjects: Boonesborough | Revolutionary War | Slavery)

Tollgate House
(Marker Number: 1353)

County: Nicholas
Location: 6 mi. W. of Carlisle at Bourbon Co. line

Description: One of last to operate in Kentucky. There were 13 of these, spaced 5 miles apart and at edge of each town, along Maysville to Lexington Road. The Maysville, Washington, Paris and Lexington Turnpike Co. built road, 1829-1835, owned toll houses. In late 1890s, "tollgate war" raged against system until the counties bought turnpikes. Most gates had been abolished by 1900.

Upper Blue Licks
(Marker Number: 856)

County: Nicholas
Location: Moorefield, Jct. KY 36 & 57

Description: Aug. 12, 1782, Capt. John Holder and 17 militiamen overtook band of Wyandotte on Great Salt Creek (Licking River) six miles N.E. The Indians had captured two boys, Jones Hoy and Jack Calloway, near Boonesborough. In skirmish that took place Holder lost four men, and being outnumbered he withdrew without the boys. Hoy held captive seven years, Calloway not so long.

(Subjects: Boonesborough | Wyandot Indians)