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.

A Skirmish in 1861
(Marker Number: 671)

County: Ohio
Location: Cromwell, US 231

Description: Sept. 1861, General S. B. Buckner with 5,000 CSA occupied Bowling Green, part of Confederate defense line along Ky.-Tennessee border. Purpose: to prevent USA moves south, provide base for future CSA moves north. Scouting in this area, October 31, CSA attacked home guard and small Union force here. After skirmish, CSA retired "with three buggy loads of killed and wounded."

(Subjects: Bowling Green | Buckner, Simon Bolivar | Civil War)

Barnett's Station
(Marker Number: 1463)

County: Ohio
Location: 2 mi. E. of Hartford on Barnett's Station Rd., just off KY 69

Description: Site of one of the earliest forts erected in this area. Established by brothers Joseph and Alexander Barnett who came from Virginia to Kentucky in early 1780s. Settlement was frequently raided by Indians. During an attack in April 1790, two children were killed and Hannah Barnett, the ten-year-old daughter of Joseph, carried off and held captive for six months.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians)

Beaver Dam
(Marker Number: 1330)

County: Ohio
Location: Beaver Dam, US 231

Description: Named for an unusually large dam made by beavers across a nearby stream. First settlers came in 1798 and founded the first Baptist Church here, in year Ohio County formed. Town incorporated, 1873. In early times, area was covered by canebrakes and inhabited by bear, deer and buffalo. Pioneers enroute to Ohio River followed buffalo trace from area as early as 1797.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Ohio River)

Ceralvo - Three miles South
(Marker Number: 1370)

County: Ohio
Location: Centertown, Jct. KY 85 and old Ceralvo Road

Description: Name derived from Spanish word meaning deer. Traditionally deer watered and crossed the river there. Town was laid out by H. D. Taylor, in March 1851. Ceralvo took its place as thriving river town. Became an important shipping point for both passengers and freight serving many communities in this area. Incorporated February 1870 by an act of the Kentucky Legislature.

Charles Wallace Home
(Marker Number: 1745)

County: Ohio
Location: 2 mi. E. of Hartford, adjacent to KY 69

Description: Builder and owner Charles Wallace erected first two courthouses in Ohio Co. The carpenter-contractor and his brother operated county's first water mill. Wallace came to area in 1798 and built his home ca. 1820, 1/2 mi. north. House had movable wall, which the Wallaces often raised for early Methodist meetings. Home listed on National Register of Historic Places.

(Subjects: Methodist Church | National Register of Historic Places)

County Named, 1798
(Marker Number: 1144)

County: Ohio
Location: Hartford, Courthouse lawn, US 231

Description: For the Ohio River, originally its northern boundary. From this territory has been formed Butler, Grayson, Daviess, Hancock, McLean counties. Two settlements were Hartford Station, about 1785, and Barnett's Station, founded by Col. Joseph Barnett in 1790. The first Ohio County Court was organized, 1799. Christopher Greenup was its Circuit Judge, 1803. Elected Gov., 1804.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Ohio River)

Courthouse Burned
(Marker Number: 581)

County: Ohio
Location: Hartford, Courthouse lawn, US 231

Description: Gen. Hylan B. Lyon with 800 men invaded Ky., Dec. 1864, to enforce CSA draft law and divert USA from Nashville. In 23 days he burned seven courthouses used by Union forces. (See map on reverse side.) At Hartford, garrison captured by Lyon, Dec. 20-1ater paroled-and courthouse burned. Records, in other building, saved on plea by Samuel O. Peyton, local doctor.

(Subjects: Civil War | Courthouses Burned)

Early Surgery
(Marker Number: 1267)

County: Ohio
Location: Hartford, Ohio Co. Museum, 415 Mulberry St.

Description: The first known successful removal of an entire collarbone, performed in 1813, by Dr. Charles McCreery. The patient, a 14-year-old boy, "made a complete recovery with perfect use of his arm, living past middle age." Dr. McCreery was born, 1785, trained under Dr. John Goodlett of Bardstown, settled in Hartford about 1807, the area's first real doctor. He died in 1826.

Famous Kentucky Artist
(Marker Number: 1485)

County: Ohio
Location: Hartford, Ohio Co. Mus., 415 Mulberry St.

Description: Charles Courtney Curran, a Hartford native, became well known as an artist. Born in 1861; at age 27 received the 3rd Hallgarten prize for his painting "A Breezy Day." In 1890 his "Lotus Lilies of Lake Erie" won honorable mention in Paris salon. One painting hangs in White Hall Shrine, near Richmond. Elected full member of National Academy of Design, 1904. Died 1942.

(Subjects: Artists)

First Bridge
(Marker Number: 1259)

County: Ohio
Location: Just outside Hartford city limits, N. side of Rough River, US 231

Description: Site of the first covered bridge here, built in 1823, thought to be the first across the Rough River. This was later replaced by another similar one after the decay of the first. Earlier crossings were by ford or ferry. An iron bridge was constructed here, 1875; removed 23 years later to Barnett's Creek. The present bridge was opened to traffic in 1934.

(Subjects: Covered Bridges)

First Public Building
(Marker Number: 1196)

County: Ohio
Location: Hartford, Courthouse lawn, US 231

Description: Ohio County's first jail and courthouse, a combined two-story, log structure, built 1799-1800. The second-story courtroom was of "well-hewed logs, with a raised bench for the court, a bar for the attorneys, with bannisters and rails." This building collapsed in 1813. The material salvaged was burned to celebrate the victory of Commodore Perry on Lake Erie.

(Subjects: War of 1812)

Howell Land
(Marker Number: 1461)

County: Ohio
Location: 5 mi. W. of Centertown, KY 85

Description: Adjacent area, so-called Howell Land, was 7,472-acre plantation of Capt. John Howell, one of county's earliest settlers. The old blazed road from Hartford to Vienna and old buffalo road passed through here. Howell, 1756-1830, fought in the Revolutionary War battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Yorktown, and Monmouth. Buried across road. Remains moved to Frankfort, 1874.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

John C. Thomas House
(Marker Number: 1829)

County: Ohio
Location: Hartford, 415 Mulberry St.

Description: This house erected in 1880 on land originally donated to the town by pioneer Gabriel Madison in 1799. Now owned by Ohio County Historical Society, the home is its museum. It was the former home of John C. Thomas, early Hartford merchant. With two brothers, he operated Thos. Bros. Hardware & Saddlery on Main and Union Streets. That structure is also still standing.

(Subjects: Museums)

Man of Courage
(Marker Number: 1548)

County: Ohio
Location: 415 Mulberry St., Hartford

Description: William Smeathers took part in American Revolution and War of 1812; helped erect fort here and at Vienna (later Calhoun) in early 1780s. He was the subject of a sketch by Washington Irving, 1797. Smeathers served on first grand jury of Court of Quarter Sessions at Hartford, 1803. Joined Stephen F. Austin in Texas, 1821, as one of "Old Three Hundred."

(Subjects: Revolutionary War | War of 1812)

McHenry
(Marker Number: 1674)

County: Ohio
Location: McHenry, US 62 near the post office

Description: The town was named for Henry D. McHenry, lawyer, banker, state representative and senator. His influence brought railroad-and coal-burning locomotives-to Ohio Co. Member of Convention, 1890-91, which framed Kentucky's present (4th) Constitution. McHenry was incorporated Feb. 26, 1880. First trustees: W. G. Duncan, G. Render, J. Kelly, S. Williams, and O. Roll.

(Subjects: Constitutional Convention (1890-91))

PFC Wesley Phelps
(Marker Number: 1672)

County: Ohio
Location: Rosine, US 62 near KY 1544

Description: This Congressional Medal of Honor winner, born in Grayson County, June 12, 1923, is buried in Rosine Cemetery. Phelps served with Third Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Divison, during World War II. The honor was awarded Phelps posthumously for gallantry at the risk of his life that another might be spared serious injury on Paleliu Island, Japan. See over.

(Reverse) Medal of Honor Winner - Pvt. Phelps was in WW II action against enemy Japanese forces during a savage counterattack. He and another Marine were in an advanced position when a hand grenade landed in his foxhole. Phelps shouted a warning to his comrade and rolled over on deadly bomb, absorbing impact of explosion with his body. He courageously gave his life, Oct. 4, 1944. Over.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Medal of Honor Winners | World War II)

Rev. William Downs
(Marker Number: 1834)

County: Ohio
Location: 415 Mulberry St., Hartford

Description: This orator, debater, and minister was also a teacher, Bible scholar, and hymn composer. He preached near the Lincoln home on Knob Creek and baptized Abraham's father, Thomas Lincoln. William Downs was born 1782 in old fort at site of Hartford. Father killed by Indians. William's brother Thomas also became pioneer Baptist preacher. William died 1860, near Hartford.

(Subjects: Baptist Church | Creeks | Lincoln, Abraham | Lincoln, Thomas)

Richard Parks Bland
(Marker Number: 1858)

County: Ohio
Location: Ohio Co. Mus., 415 Mulberry St., Hartford

Description: This fiery native son of Hartford, later a Missouri congressman for 24 years, embraced bimetallism, or "Free Silver," as solution to widespread indebtedness. "Silver Dick" (1835-99), a noted orator, also denounced monopolies, high protective tariff, and imperialism. Richard Parks Bland was forerunner of another famous champion of "Free Silver," William Jennings Bryan.

Rosine
(Marker Number: 1510)

County: Ohio
Location: Rosine, US 62

Description: Post office here was established as Pigeon Roost, January 16, 1872. The name was changed to Rosine, June 10, 1873, in honor of Jennie Taylor McHenry, 1832-1914, a poet who wrote under the pen name of "Rosine." A collection of her poems was published. She was the wife of Henry D. McHenry, prominent lawyer and banker. The town was incorporated September 15, 1873.

(Subjects: Poets | Post Office)

Site of Fort Hartford
(Marker Number: 1195)

County: Ohio
Location: N. of Hartford at Rough River Bridge, US 231

Description: Settled before 1790, this area was often scene of bloody strife with Indians. There is evidence that a settlement was made at present site of Hartford in 1782, first fortified place in the lower Green River Valley. Land was donated by Gabriel Madison, part of 4,000-acre Virginia grant in 1782. Name Hartford derived from the river ford where animals crossed.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations | Indians)

The Ohio County News
(Marker Number: 1266)

County: Ohio
Location: Center St., at newspaper office, Hartford, US 231

Description: Formed by merger, 1926, of Hartford Herald, founded by John Barrett in 1875, and Hartford Republican, established in 1888 by Col. Cicero Barnett. For 50 years "The Herald of a Noisy World" was masthead of the Hartford Herald. McDowell Fogle and Wilburn Tinsley were the first co-editors of The News.

(Subjects: Newspapers)