Historical Markers in Henderson, Kentucky
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8 Notable Historical Markers You Need to Check Out
__66 TRANSYLVANIA COMPANY(Henderson, KY 351, at jct. with old US 41, Henderson Co.)
The company founded Henderson in 1797. John James Audubon made his home here. The town established the first municipal park west of the Alleghenies.
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MOTHER'S DAY 191(Henderson School yard, Jct. Green & Center Sts., US 41, 60, Henderson Co.)
Here, Mary Towles Sasseen Wilson in 1887 first observed Mother's Day. Started with her pupils. In 1893, she obtained national observance. Kentucky Legislature recognized her as "originator of idea." Congress adopted second Sunday of May as holiday in 1914.
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A CIVIL WAR ACTION 527(Henderson, Courthouse lawn, Old US 41, KY 54, Henderson Co.)
Brig. General A. R. Johnson and 30 CSA raiders took city, capturing 50 guns, hospital supplies, and commissary stores July 17, 1862, then raided Newburg, Ind., and returned to Henderson. Threat of Morgan's Raiders prevented USA Hdqrs. at Louisville from sending relief. July 22 troops arrived here from Evansville, In d., but C SA troops had abandoned area.
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717 GEN. SAMUEL HOPKINS(Between Zion & Henderson, KY 351, Henderson Co.)
On Washington's staff and in many campaigns, War of the Revolution. Born in Va., 1753. Came to Ky., 1797, as Transylvania Company agent. With Col. T. Alien laid out town of Henderson. Chief Justice, First Court, 1799. Ky. House, 1800-06, Senate, 1809-13. Comm. in Chief, Western Frontier, 1812. Congress 1813-15. Hopkinsville and Hopkins County named for him. Died 1819.
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870 HOME OF LUCY FURMAN(Powell Street, Henderson, US 41, Henderson Co.)
Author, lecturer. Depicted life of Kentucky mountain people with dignity in books, serials. Born here, 1870, by age 23 she had been acclaimed for stories in literary magazines. First book in 1897. She worked and taught at Hindman Settlement School, Knott County, Ky., 1907-27. Continued writing. Death, 1958. Books include The Quare Women and The Glass Window.
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KIMMEL HOMESTEAD 878(At Scott McGaw Motor Company, US 60, Henderson Co.)
Site of home of three generations of Kimmels. Indian fighter, Civil War Major (CSA) Manning M. bought it in 1872. His son, Husband E., born here, 1882. He graduated at Annapolis, 1904. Named Commander-in-Chief of US Fleet, February 1, 1941. Stationed at Pearl Harbor when infamous attack came Dec. 7, 1941. His three sons naval officers in WW II. Manning killed in action.
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1206 County Formed, Named
(Transylvania Park, Henderson, US 41, 60, Henderson Co.)
By Kentucky Statute, Dec. 1798, effective, May 1799, the county of Henderson was formed out of part of Christian. Named to honor Colonel Richard Henderson, founder of the Transylvania Land Company, which was granted land on Green and Ohio Rivers by Va. Gen. Assembly, 1778, to compensate for voiding purchase of land from Cherokees in Eastern Kentucky. Park named for Company.
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1392 FIRST KENTUCKY CONSUMER RURAL COOPERATIVE ELECTRICITY(6 ml. S. of Henderson, US 41 Alt., Henderson Co.)
Here in October 1937 Frank T. Street became first member-consumer to receive rural electric cooperative power in Ky. Energy was provided by Henderson RECC, first rural electric system in state to be energized. Cooperative electricity has provided a more stable and diversified economy and a higher standard of living In rural areas.
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1523 ARTIST-NATURALIST(John James Audubon State Park, 2 ml. N. of Henderson, US 41, Henderson Co.)
John James Audubon, 1785-1851, was one of America's most famous ornithologists. From 1810-1819 he lived in Henderson roaming the woods in this area, finding and painting birds in their natural habitat. While here two of his children, John Woodhouse and Lucy, were born. Lucy is buried in Samuel Hopkins cemetery. Audubon State Park named In his honor.
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AUDUBON SAW AND GRIST MILL 1645(Second & Water Sts., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
In 1816 John James Audubon and his wife's brother, Thomas Bakewell, built a steam mill here. The 45' x 65' structure cost $15,000; Audubon supplied over half the money. In operation 1817 - 19, it failed due to defective machinery and scanty wheat crops. Audubon then devoted himself to painting and found success. Mill was used later as tobacco warehouse; burned in 1913.
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1703 ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH(At Church, Green & Center Sts., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
The design of this English Gothic church was supervised by Bishop Benjamin Bosworth Smith; church consecrated by him in May 1869. Stained glass memorial windows from Munich, Germany, donated. Congregation organized in 1831; first church, erected in 1838, at Third and Main. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1978. Presented by St. Paul1s Church
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1771 AUGUSTUS OWSLEY STANLEY(Henderson, Main St., Henderson Co.)
A dynamic orator, Stanley became nationally known for investigation of U.S. Steel Corp., while serving six terms in U.S. House, 1903-15. Born in Shelbyville, 1867, he moved to Henderson in 1898, and entered politics. Gov. of Ky., 1915-19; U.S. Senator, 1919-25. Chaired International Joint Commission to mediate disputes arising along U.S. - Canadian border. Died 1958.
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1926 FERNWOOD CEMETERY(840 Madison St., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
Established 1849, cemetery contains graves of some noted Kentuckians; among them are Lazarus Powell and John Y. Brown. Powell, Henderson's first governor (1851-55), began state's first geological survey to develop mineral and agricultural resources. Brown elected to U.S. House of Rep. while underage; later served 2 more terms. Supported new constitution and became gov. 1891.
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FERNWOOD CEMETERYBuried here is Archibald Dixon, who served in Ky. House of Rep. and Senate. Lt. gov. 1844-48 under Wm. Owsley; appointed U.S. senator in 1852 to complete term of the late Henry Clay. Teacher Mary Towles Sasseen, who led her class in first observance of Mother's Day, May 1887, and promoted its recognition nationwide, also buried here. Over. Presented by Henderson Jr. Historical Society.
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1984 ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER
(Park Field, Adkinson Park, off Elm St., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
This Henderson Co. native (1898-1991) was state sen. and lt. gov. before becoming governor in 1935 and 1955. U.S. Sen., 1939-45. As baseball commissioner, he approved contract making Jackie Robinson first modern black major league player, 1947. Chandler elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, 1982. Presented by Henderson World Series Association, Inc.
The company founded Henderson in 1797. John James Audubon made his home here. The town established the first municipal park west of the Alleghenies.
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MOTHER'S DAY 191(Henderson School yard, Jct. Green & Center Sts., US 41, 60, Henderson Co.)
Here, Mary Towles Sasseen Wilson in 1887 first observed Mother's Day. Started with her pupils. In 1893, she obtained national observance. Kentucky Legislature recognized her as "originator of idea." Congress adopted second Sunday of May as holiday in 1914.
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A CIVIL WAR ACTION 527(Henderson, Courthouse lawn, Old US 41, KY 54, Henderson Co.)
Brig. General A. R. Johnson and 30 CSA raiders took city, capturing 50 guns, hospital supplies, and commissary stores July 17, 1862, then raided Newburg, Ind., and returned to Henderson. Threat of Morgan's Raiders prevented USA Hdqrs. at Louisville from sending relief. July 22 troops arrived here from Evansville, In d., but C SA troops had abandoned area.
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717 GEN. SAMUEL HOPKINS(Between Zion & Henderson, KY 351, Henderson Co.)
On Washington's staff and in many campaigns, War of the Revolution. Born in Va., 1753. Came to Ky., 1797, as Transylvania Company agent. With Col. T. Alien laid out town of Henderson. Chief Justice, First Court, 1799. Ky. House, 1800-06, Senate, 1809-13. Comm. in Chief, Western Frontier, 1812. Congress 1813-15. Hopkinsville and Hopkins County named for him. Died 1819.
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870 HOME OF LUCY FURMAN(Powell Street, Henderson, US 41, Henderson Co.)
Author, lecturer. Depicted life of Kentucky mountain people with dignity in books, serials. Born here, 1870, by age 23 she had been acclaimed for stories in literary magazines. First book in 1897. She worked and taught at Hindman Settlement School, Knott County, Ky., 1907-27. Continued writing. Death, 1958. Books include The Quare Women and The Glass Window.
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KIMMEL HOMESTEAD 878(At Scott McGaw Motor Company, US 60, Henderson Co.)
Site of home of three generations of Kimmels. Indian fighter, Civil War Major (CSA) Manning M. bought it in 1872. His son, Husband E., born here, 1882. He graduated at Annapolis, 1904. Named Commander-in-Chief of US Fleet, February 1, 1941. Stationed at Pearl Harbor when infamous attack came Dec. 7, 1941. His three sons naval officers in WW II. Manning killed in action.
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1206 County Formed, Named
(Transylvania Park, Henderson, US 41, 60, Henderson Co.)
By Kentucky Statute, Dec. 1798, effective, May 1799, the county of Henderson was formed out of part of Christian. Named to honor Colonel Richard Henderson, founder of the Transylvania Land Company, which was granted land on Green and Ohio Rivers by Va. Gen. Assembly, 1778, to compensate for voiding purchase of land from Cherokees in Eastern Kentucky. Park named for Company.
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1392 FIRST KENTUCKY CONSUMER RURAL COOPERATIVE ELECTRICITY(6 ml. S. of Henderson, US 41 Alt., Henderson Co.)
Here in October 1937 Frank T. Street became first member-consumer to receive rural electric cooperative power in Ky. Energy was provided by Henderson RECC, first rural electric system in state to be energized. Cooperative electricity has provided a more stable and diversified economy and a higher standard of living In rural areas.
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1523 ARTIST-NATURALIST(John James Audubon State Park, 2 ml. N. of Henderson, US 41, Henderson Co.)
John James Audubon, 1785-1851, was one of America's most famous ornithologists. From 1810-1819 he lived in Henderson roaming the woods in this area, finding and painting birds in their natural habitat. While here two of his children, John Woodhouse and Lucy, were born. Lucy is buried in Samuel Hopkins cemetery. Audubon State Park named In his honor.
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AUDUBON SAW AND GRIST MILL 1645(Second & Water Sts., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
In 1816 John James Audubon and his wife's brother, Thomas Bakewell, built a steam mill here. The 45' x 65' structure cost $15,000; Audubon supplied over half the money. In operation 1817 - 19, it failed due to defective machinery and scanty wheat crops. Audubon then devoted himself to painting and found success. Mill was used later as tobacco warehouse; burned in 1913.
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1703 ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH(At Church, Green & Center Sts., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
The design of this English Gothic church was supervised by Bishop Benjamin Bosworth Smith; church consecrated by him in May 1869. Stained glass memorial windows from Munich, Germany, donated. Congregation organized in 1831; first church, erected in 1838, at Third and Main. Listed on National Register of Historic Places, 1978. Presented by St. Paul1s Church
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1771 AUGUSTUS OWSLEY STANLEY(Henderson, Main St., Henderson Co.)
A dynamic orator, Stanley became nationally known for investigation of U.S. Steel Corp., while serving six terms in U.S. House, 1903-15. Born in Shelbyville, 1867, he moved to Henderson in 1898, and entered politics. Gov. of Ky., 1915-19; U.S. Senator, 1919-25. Chaired International Joint Commission to mediate disputes arising along U.S. - Canadian border. Died 1958.
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1926 FERNWOOD CEMETERY(840 Madison St., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
Established 1849, cemetery contains graves of some noted Kentuckians; among them are Lazarus Powell and John Y. Brown. Powell, Henderson's first governor (1851-55), began state's first geological survey to develop mineral and agricultural resources. Brown elected to U.S. House of Rep. while underage; later served 2 more terms. Supported new constitution and became gov. 1891.
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FERNWOOD CEMETERYBuried here is Archibald Dixon, who served in Ky. House of Rep. and Senate. Lt. gov. 1844-48 under Wm. Owsley; appointed U.S. senator in 1852 to complete term of the late Henry Clay. Teacher Mary Towles Sasseen, who led her class in first observance of Mother's Day, May 1887, and promoted its recognition nationwide, also buried here. Over. Presented by Henderson Jr. Historical Society.
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1984 ALBERT B. "HAPPY" CHANDLER
(Park Field, Adkinson Park, off Elm St., Henderson, Henderson Co.)
This Henderson Co. native (1898-1991) was state sen. and lt. gov. before becoming governor in 1935 and 1955. U.S. Sen., 1939-45. As baseball commissioner, he approved contract making Jackie Robinson first modern black major league player, 1947. Chandler elected to Baseball Hall of Fame, 1982. Presented by Henderson World Series Association, Inc.