KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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Cassius Marcellus Clay
(Marker Number: 1576)

County: Madison
Location: Entrance to Richmond Cemetery, US 25 & KY 52

Description: Buried in this cemetery is Cassius Marcellus Clay. As a result of his diplomacy in Russia, friendship between the two powers reached its highest peak. This helped prevent intervention of England and France during Civil War and provided an atmosphere which made possible purchase of Alaska, 1867.

(Subjects: Cemeteries | Civil War | Clay, Cassius M.)

Church of Christ, Union
(Marker Number: 1767)

County: Madison
Location: In front of the Church, across from Boone Tavern Hotel, Berea, KY 21

Description: Founded 1853 by the Rev. John G. Fee of Bracken County on the invitation of local citizens and Cassius M. Clay, who projected an antislavery community here. Open in full equality to all races and nonsectarian, the church had a leading part in establishment of Berea College, 1855, and in cause of racial equality in this area. Presented by Congregation.

(Subjects: Berea College | Clay, Cassius M.)

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.)

First City Hall
(Marker Number: 1862)

County: Kenton
Location: 3rd St., Covington

Description: Covington's first permanent city hall erected on this site in 1843; one of first in entire Ohio Valley. During Republican State Convention in 1860, fiery emancipationist Cassius M. Clay spoke here. Almost eighty years later, on June 3, 1938 (in the courtyard of later city hall), Kentucky's last execution by hanging took place. Presented by City of Covington.

(Reverse) First City Hall - City Hall doubled as a hospital in 1848 for returning Mexican War veterans. It was site of many antislavery meetings. This prominent nineteenth-century social and political center also served as the location for pro-Union military and political activities during the Civil War. Presented by City of Covington.

(Subjects: Civil War | Clay, Cassius M. | Mexican War | Railroads)

For Mountain Youth
(Marker Number: 773)

County: Madison
Location: College Campus, Berea, US 25

Description: Berea College, founded 1855 by John G. Fee with the support of Cassius Marcellus Clay, in a one-room school built by the community. Its constitution, 1858, made it Christian, non-sectarian, anti-slavery. Compelled to close 1859 by pro-slavery factions, reopened 1865. Dedicated to the service of mountain areas, Berea is an historic monument to equality.

(Subjects: Berea College | Clay, Cassius M.)

Home of Thomas Clay
(Marker Number: 1079)

County: Daviess
Location: 2 mi. from Jct. US 60 on KY 405

Description: Revolutionary War Captain. Member, from Madison Co., 1792 and 1799, Ky. Constitutional Conventions; Ky. House of Rep., 1792-93, and 1796-98; Ky. Senate, 1793-95. Came here in 1812. Cousin of John Clay, father of renowned Ky. statesman Henry Clay, and uncle of Cassius Marcellus Clay, famed Kentuckian of Civil War period. Grandfather of U.S. Senator T. C. McCreery.

(Subjects: Clay, Cassius M. | Constitutional Convention (1799) | Revolutionary War)

Laura Clay (1849-1941)
(Marker Number: 1800)

County: Madison
Location: 9 mi. N. of Richmond at White Hall, off US 25

Description: Woman's rights leader, born here, was pres. of Ky. Equal Rights Assn. 1888-1912. Daughter of Cassius M. Clay, Laura won coeducational, property, and joint guardianship rights for Ky. women and held key positions in National American Woman Suffrage Assn. Her associates included Susan B. Anthony. Woman suffrage gained by 19th Amendment, 1920. Laura Clay buried Lexington.

(Subjects: Books | Clay, Cassius M.)

Lion of White Hall
(Marker Number: 533)

County: Madison
Location: 7 mi. N. of Richmond, Jct. US 25 & KY 627

Description: West of here is White Hall, home of Cassius M. Clay (1810-1903). For a half century, Clay was a "firebrand" in American life. Fearless abolitionist, publisher of anti-slavery paper, The True American, captain in the Mexican War, legislator and Minister to Russia. When Ft. Sumter fell, he organized civilian guard for U.S. Capitol until army could protect.

(Subjects: Clay, Cassius M. | Forts and Stations)

Old Morrison
(Marker Number: 1406)

County: Fayette
Location: Transylvania University campus, 3rd St., Lexington

Description: An early Greek Revival design by Kentucky architect Gideon Shryock. Trustee and teacher Henry Clay guided construction supported by bequest of Col. James Morrison. Work on building slowed by cholera epidemic of 1833. Dedication was Nov. 4, 1833. Damaged by fire 1969. Morrison was rededicated May 9, 1971. See over.

(Reverse) Transylvania Alumni - Jefferson Davis, John Hunt Morgan, Stephen F. Austin, Cassius M. Clay, Albert Sidney Johnston, James Lane Allen and John Fox, Jr., all were students here. Among past Transylvanians are two U.S. Vice-Presidents-Richard M. Johnson and John C. Breckinridge-50 U.S. Senators, 101 Representatives, three House Speakers, 36 Governors, and 34 Ambassadors. See over.

(Subjects: Architects | Breckinridge, John Cabell | Cholera | Clay, Cassius M. | Clay, Henry | Davis, Jefferson | Johnson, Richard M. | Johnston, Albert Sidney | Morgan, John Hunt | Shryock, Gideon | Transylvania University)

William H. Townsend (1890-1964)
(Marker Number: 2029)

County: Anderson
Location: Lawrenceburg, Anderson Co. High School, US 127

Description: This renowned scholar, raconteur, and lawyer was born in Anderson Co. Educated first in a one-room school at Glensboro, he graduated from U.K. Law School in 1912. Among his books was Lincoln and the Bluegrass (1955). His talk on Cassius Clay, "The Lion of White Hall," now a taped classic. Presented by Mary Genevieve and Joe Murphy.

(Reverse) William H. Townsend (1890-1964) - Townsend had the largest private collection of Lincolniana in U.S. Recognized as a leading expert on Abraham Lincoln, Townsend was a founder of the Ky. Civil War Round Table, 1953. He served as its first president until his death. Named posthumously to Fayette County Bar's Hall of Fame, 1996. Presented by Mary Genevieve and Joe Murphy.

(Subjects: Books | Clay, Cassius M. | Lincoln, Abraham | University of Kentucky)