KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Blue Licks Battlefield
(Marker Number: 18)

County: Robertson
Location: US 68, approx. 200 ft. W. of Jct. with KY 165

Description: On Aug. 19, 1782, between this hill-top and Licking River a bloody battle was fought by Kentucky pioneers against a superior force of Indians and British-Canadians.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Indians)

Captain John Holder
(Marker Number: 1048)

County: Clark
Location: Athens-Boonesboro Rd., Howard's Creek

Description: An outstanding pioneer at Fort Boonesborough, 1776-81. Among the rescuers of Callaway and Boone girls captured by Indians. Named colonel of militia, 1779. Engaged in expeditions against Indians. In 1781 built Holder's Station and operated boatyard at the mouth of Howard's Creek. Led in the Battle of Upper Blue Licks, 1782. Trustee of Winchester, justice Co. Court.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Boonesborough | Forts and Stations | Indians)

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 Named, 1819
(Marker Number: 785)

County: Harlan
Location: Harlan, Courthouse lawn, US 119, 421

Description: For Major Silas Harlan, born Va., 1752, came to Ky. in 1774. Built Harlan's Station, 7 miles south of Harrodsburg on Salt River, 1778. Commanded spies, 1779, in Illinois campaign of Gen. George R. Clark, who said: "He was one of bravest soldiers that ever fought by my side." Killed, 1782, at the battle of Blue Licks while commanding his detachment. Buried at Blue Licks.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Clark, George Rogers | Forts and Stations | Indians | Revolutionary War)

County Named, 1819
(Marker Number: 800)

County: Todd
Location: Elkton, Courthouse lawn, Jct. US 68 & KY 181

Description: For Col. John Todd. Born Pa., 1750. In battle of Point Pleasant, 1774. Came to Kentucky, 1775; in Va. legislature, 1776. On expedition led by Gen. George Rogers Clark that captured Illinois country from British, 1778. Named Civil Commandant of Illinois County. Va. legislature, 1780. Procured land-grants for public schools. Killed at Blue Licks, Aug. 1782.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Clark, George Rogers | Indians | Revolutionary War | Schools)

County Named, 1820
(Marker Number: 1159)

County: Trigg
Location: Cadiz, Courthouse lawn, US 68

Description: For Col. Stephen Trigg, Virginian. Came to Ky. as member of Court of Land Commissioners, 1779. Settled Trigg's Station near Harrodsburg, 1780. In Va. Legislature was active in establishing town of Louisville, 1780. Justice of Peace, on first Lincoln Co. court, 1781. Trigg killed at Battle of Blue Licks, Aug. 19, 1782. Trigg County formed from Caldwell and Christian.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Forts and Stations | Indians)

Early Land Grant
(Marker Number: 1558)

County: Fayette
Location: Viley Rd. between Leestown & Old Frankfort Pk., Lexington

Description: This spring 900 feet to the west was discovered in 1775 by Joseph Lindsay, who was killed at the Battle of Blue Licks. Spring and surrounding 2,000 acres were later surveyed for Evan Shelby, father of the first governor of Kentucky. The house on this site, "Lewis Manor," was built by Thomas Lewis, circa 1800. Presented by Lexington-Fayette County Historic Commission.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Revolutionary War)

Ellerslie
(Marker Number: 1001)

County: Fayette
Location: 2440 Richmond Rd., Lexington

Description: The home which stood on this site from 1787 to 1947 was built by Levi Todd (1756-1807), who named it for his ancestral village in Scotland. He was one of a party of hunters who named Lexington in 1775; first Fayette County clerk; aide to George Rogers Clark, 1779, Kaskaskia Expedition; Maj., Battle Blue Licks; trustee, Transylvania; grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Indians | Lexington | Lincoln, Mary Todd | Transylvania University)

First Explored
(Marker Number: 222)

County: Carroll
Location: 2nd & Highland Ave., Carrollton, US 42

Description: In 1754 James McBride canoed down the Ohio to the mouth of this river-now Kentucky. Here, as first explorer, he carved his initials and the date on tree, a landmark for 30 years. Cited for part in defense of Bryan Station and Battle of Blue Licks, 1782.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Indians | Ohio River)

Jacob Hunter
(Marker Number: 1790)

County: Owen
Location: Owenton Cem., US 127

Description: This Rev. War soldier entered U.S. service from Boone's Station, 1780. Served as garrison guard there and as Indian spy; under Geo. Rogers Clark on raids at Old Chillicothe and Piqua. Marched with Benj. Logan to reinforce troops at Blue Licks; joined survivors of battle to bury the dead. Moved to Owen County ca. 1817. Hunter lived on Big Twin Creek; died and buried there, 1856.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Boone, Daniel | Clark, George Rogers | Creeks | Forts and Stations | Logan, Benjamin | Revolutionary War)

John Fry
(Marker Number: 917)

County: Casey
Location: N. of Liberty, US 127

Description: Entered land on Carpenter's Creek 8 miles north, 1780, on a Treasury Warrant for service in Revolution. Land grant signed, 1783, by Gov. Benj. Harrison. Engaged in Battle of Point Pleasant, 1774. Served in Rockingham Militia, Va., during Revolution. With Kentuckians when killed at Blue Licks Battle, 1782, at age of 28. Four generations of family owned land over a century. Presented by Mrs. Mary Frye Barley, Whittier, Calif.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Indians | Revolutionary War)

Johnson Creek Bridge
(Marker Number: 1567)

County: Robertson
Location: Alhambra, KY 1029, 13/4 mi. NE of KY 165

Description: This covered bridge was erected, 1874, by the noted bridge builder Jacob N. Bower. It is 114 ft. long, 16 ft. wide and has a Smith-type truss reinforced with arches. With 2 spans, it crosses Johnson Creek over an old Buffalo Trace, near Blue Licks Battlefield. Partially destroyed by fire; rebuilt, 1910. Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, 1976.

(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: Blue Licks, Battle of | Buffalo Trace | Covered Bridges | Creeks | National Register of Historic Places)

Lt. Gen. Field Harris, USMC, 1895-1967
(Marker Number: 1322)

County: Woodford
Location: Pisgah-Mt. Vernon Rd., 1 mi. N. of US 60

Description: Commanding general of US Marine Air Wing at invasion of Guadalcanal, 1942, WW II; and Korea, 1950. US Naval Academy, 1917; WW I. A courageous and inspiring leader. Harris' 21 combat decorations included army and navy Distinguished Service Medals, Legion of Merit with 3 Gold Stars, Order of British Empire. Buried in Pisgah Cemetery.

(Reverse) Military Forebears

Lt. Gen. Field Harris, USMC, ancestors included:

William Field, came to Ky. with Harrod, then fought in Dunmore's War, 1774.

Col. John Field, killed at Point Pleasant, Dunmore's War, 1774.

Capt. Benjamin Field, Revolution, 1780-81.

Col. Ezekiel Field, Revolutionary War, died at Battle of Blue Licks, 1782.

Gen. E. H. Field, a parade marshal at ceremonies of Boone reinterment, 1845. Fought in Mexican War, 1847.

Maysville Academy
(Marker Number: 1616)

County: Mason
Location: West Fourth St., Maysville, Old US 68

Description: Ulysses S. Grant entered this academy in fall of 1836, at the age of 14. Grant's home was in Georgetown, Ohio; he stayed with his uncle nearby while attending school. One of the most famous institutions in Ohio Valley, it was taught by two eminent scholars, Jacob W. Rand and W. W. Richeson. This building erected circa 1829 by Thomas G. Richardson, contractor.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Grant, Ulysses S.)

Pioneer Ward
(Marker Number: 729)

County: Martin
Location: Inez, Courthouse lawn, KY 3, 40

Description: James Ward born in Virginia, 1758. He settled on Rockcastle Creek, three miles south of here, where he lived 50 years and died, 1848. Private, Virginia regiments, War of the Revolution, 1775-76, 1778. Came to Kentucky, 1779. With the Clark expedition against Indians, Chillicothe and Piqua, Ohio, 1780. In battles of Bryan Station, and Blue Licks, 1782. See other side.

(Reverse) Educator Ward - William B. Ward, 1877-1952. Buried in Saltwell Cemetery. Known as educator, author and leader in the field of education, 50 years. Principal in schools of eastern and northern Kentucky; head of the Old Sandy Valley Seminary at Paintsville. Author Outline of U.S. History; publisher The Mountain Journal and The New Day. Descended from Pioneer Ward. See other side.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Clark, George Rogers | Forts and Stations | Indians | Revolutionary War)

Richards Home Site
(Marker Number: 842)

County: Union
Location: E. of Boxville, KY 56 & 983

Description: Lewis Richards, born Va., 1754. Sergeant with Gen. George Rogers Clark when he built first blockhouse at site of present Cincinnati. Went on, in attempt to save Kentuckians captured by English and Indians, 1779. Unable to overtake them, destroyed the Indian villages at Chillicothe and Piqua. Richards was a volunteer at battle of Blue Licks, 1782. Died here in 1846.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Clark, George Rogers | Indians)

Samuel Boone
(Marker Number: 952)

County: Fayette
Location: Gentry Rd., 1/4 mi. NE of Athens

Description: Grave of Samuel Boone, the eldest brother of Daniel Boone, renowned Kentucky pioneer. Samuel was born in Penna., May 20, 1728. Came to Kentucky from South Carolina in 1779 with his family and settled Boone's Station. He joined in defense of Bryan's Station, 1782. His son, Thomas, was killed at Battle of Blue Licks, 1782. He died here, 1816, at the age of 88.

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

Stamping Ground
(Marker Number: 217)

County: Scott
Location: Stamping Ground, Woodlake Pk., KY 1688

Description: This area first explored April 1775 by William McConnell, Charles Lecompte and party from Penn. Buffalo herds had stamped down undergrowth and ground around the spring-origin of town's name. McConnell and Lecompte in Battle of Blue Licks, Ky., 1782.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Buffalo Trace | Indians | McConnell, William)

The Point
(Marker Number: 1472)

County: Kenton
Location: George Rogers Clark Park, Riverside Dr., Covington

Description: Confluence of Ohio and Licking Rivers. Christopher Gist, Agent of the Ohio Company, was first white man known to have set foot on Point, 1751. The Lieutenant of Kentucky Co., Va., Col. John Bowman, led expedition from here against Shawnee Indians in Ohio, 1777. Governor Isaac Shelby rendezvoused 4,000 Ky. troops here before his victory at the Thames, 1813. Over.

(Reverse) Pioneer Leaders Here - Many other pioneer leaders made the Point a base for military operations, among them Benjamin Logan, Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton and George Rogers Clark. In 1780 and 1782 Clark and his 2 regiments met here before crossing the Ohio to attack the Shawnees. Second expedition was to avenge the Battle of Blue Licks; 5 Indian towns were destroyed. See over.

(Subjects: Blue Licks, Battle of | Boone, Daniel | Clark, George Rogers | Indians | Kenton, Simon | Kentucky County (Virginia) | Logan, Benjamin | Revolutionary War | Shawnee Indians | Shelby, Isaac | Thames, Battle of | War of 1812)