Munfordville in Hart County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Return of the Natives

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

1. Return of the Natives Marker

Inscription. Centuries past, before central Kentucky became settled, a great swath of grassland and savannah stretched from the Ohio River down into Tennessee. Pioneers established Munfordville right in the middle of it. As settlement expanded, these "barrens" all but disappeared. Now, however, the value of these original native grasslands is being rediscovered, and many of these native, or ecotype, species have been replanted here in the park.

Erected by City of Munfordville, US Forest Service, and Kentucky Divison of Forestry.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 37° 16.138′ N, 85° 53.145′ W. Marker is in Munfordville, Kentucky, in Hart County. Marker can be reached from River Road, 0.3 miles south of Old Street. Part of a series of markers in Thelma Stovall Park highlighting the history of Munfordville, this marker is situated on the walking track that circles the park, beneath the US 31W bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Munfordville KY 42765, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Amos' Ferry (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Living on the Land (about 500 feet away); L&N Railroad Bridge

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(about 500 feet away); The Pump Tower (about 600 feet away); Pontooniers! (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Great Buffalo Crossing (approx. 0.2 miles away); Old Munford Inn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Thelma Hawkins Stovall (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Munfordville.

More about this marker. On the right is a map of "Pre-settlement native grasslands in central Kentucky" and below are photos of the native species:

Red maple Acer rubrum
Black walnut Juglans nigra
River birch Betula nigra
Silver maple Acer saccharinum
Swamp white oak Quercus biloba
Green ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Pin oak Quercus palustris
Pecan Carya illinoinensis
River oats Chasmanthium latifolium
Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
Switchgrass Panicum virgatum
Wild bergamot Monarda fistulosa
Eastern gamma grass Tripsacum dactyloides
Greyheaded coneflower Ratibida pinnata
Bald cyprus Taxodium distichum
Sweetgum Liquidambar styraciflua
Virginia

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

2. Return of the Natives Marker

wild rye Elymus virginicus
Riverbank wild rye Elymus riparius

detail of Return of the Natives Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

3. detail of Return of the Natives Marker

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

4. detail of Return of the Natives Marker

Photographed By Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

5. detail of Return of the Natives Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 2, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.