KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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A Masonic Leader
(Marker Number: 752)

County: Oldham
Location: La Grange, KY 53, 147

Description: Home of Dr. Rob Morris, 1818-88. In 1884 "crowned Poet Laureate of Freemasonry." Founded the Order of the Eastern Star. He was born near Boston, Mass., lived 28 years here. From 1861 to 1865 president of the Masonic College, located in La Grange, 1844-73. Author of many Masonic books and poems. Grand Master, 1858-59, the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. Died here in 1888.

CSA Cemetery
(Marker Number: 182)

County: Oldham
Location: Maple Ave., Pewee Valley, KY 146

Description: In burying ground 1 mile south, marked by granite obelisk, lie remains of 313 soldiers who died while residents of the Kentucky Confederate home. The home was located on the high ground just northwest of here. It was used for CSA veterans, 1902 to 1934.

David Wark Griffith, 1875-1948
(Marker Number: 650)

County: Oldham
Location: Crestwood, KY 22, 146

Description: Oldham County native buried here. Renowned as director-producer of The Birth of a Nation, film drama of Civil War and post-bellum era, and also Intolerance, Orphans of the Storm, Broken Blossoms. He created dramatic and photographic effects, close-up and fade-out. He brought out Mary Pickford, Lillian and Dorothy Gish and other stars.

(Subjects: Actors | Films)

Funk Seminary Site
(Marker Number: 957)

County: Oldham
Location: LaGrange, KY 53, 146

Description: In 1841 William M. Funk bequeathed $10,000 to establish seminary. It was chartered by Legislature and erected here, 1842. In 1844 Grand Lodge of Ky. assumed control and changed it to Masonic College. In 1852 changed to Masonic Univ. of Ky. School reached its height in next decade. Civil War disrupted it. Reverted to high school in 1873. Building burned in 1911.

(Subjects: Schools)

Oldham County, 1824
(Marker Number: 1251)

County: Oldham
Location: La Grange, Courthouse lawn, KY 53, 146

Description: Taken from parts of Jefferson, Shelby, and Henry counties, it was the 74th formed. Named for Col. William Oldham, native Virginian, officer in War of Revolution. Commanded regiment of Kentucky militia in ill-fated Indian campaign on Wabash River in 1791, led by General St. Clair. Oldham was one of over 800 killed in battle, half of troops engaged.

(Subjects: Revolutionary War)

Pewee Valley
(Marker Number: 208)

County: Oldham
Location: Old L & N Depot, Pewee Valley

Description: Formerly "Smith's Station" - Setting of famous "Little Colonel" and other fictional portrayals of life in Pewee Valley by Annie Fellows Johnston. Her stately home, "The Beeches," 1/2 mi. N.W. Most prominent town founder was Henry S. Smith, 1802-83. A trustee of town, he owned property, surveyed roads, and helped establish girls' college and Pewee Valley Cemetery.

(Subjects: Books | Forts and Stations)

Westport
(Marker Number: 909)

County: Oldham
Location: Westport, KY 524

Description: First called Liberty, located on 1780 grant to Elijah Craig. Ferry operated here by Levi Boyer early as 1800 formed a link in route to Illinois country. Town became a port to the west-Westport. In the steamboat era, the town was a thriving port for shipping farm produce and receiving merchandise. The first county seat of Oldham, 1823-38, except nine months, 1827.

(Subjects: Ferry)

Woodland Farm
(Marker Number: 2156)

County: Oldham
Location: Goshen, 4801 Greenhaven Lane

Description: Formerly known as Clifton, home’s three sections built at different times. Thomas Barbour, a founder of Oldham County, established farm and built third portion of home ca. 1840. He sold farm in 1855 to Richard T. Jacob, who became lieutenant governor of Ky. Having been farmed for over 150 years, Woodland named to National Register of Historic Places, 1997.

(Reverse) Eighteen Mile Island, part of farm, was first source of water for co. public water system in 1964. In 1997 Laura Lee Brown and James Steven Wilson founded a nationally recognized breeding farm for American bison. In 2003 farm placed under protection from development with Dept. of Agr. Purchase of Agr. Conservation Easement program.

(Subjects: National Register of Historic Places)