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Hopkinsville in Christian County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
 

Peace Park

 
 
Peace Park Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2015
1. Peace Park Marker
Inscription. Bequest to city of Hopkinsville with funds for beautification and maintenance by John C. Latham of New York, a native of Hopkinsville. A generous and forgiving gift. Mr. Latham was owner of a large tobacco warehouse on this site that was destroyed, when burned by Night Riders, disgruntled tobacco growers, Dec. 8, 1907. The next year death came to Mr. Latham.
 
Erected 1967 by Kentucky Historical Society Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1041.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public WorkNotable Places. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 8, 1907.
 
Location. 36° 51.816′ N, 87° 29.089′ W. Marker is in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, in Christian County. Marker is at the intersection of East 9th Street (Kentucky Route 109) and South Campbell Street, on the right when traveling east on East 9th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 530 East 9th Street, Hopkinsville KY 42240, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. First Presbyterian (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); U.S. Post Office Building (about 800 feet away); Grace Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away);
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Hotel Latham (approx. 0.2 miles away); Judge Joseph Crockett House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Courthouse Burned (approx. 0.3 miles away); County Named, 1797 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Confederate Memorial Fountain (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hopkinsville.
 
Regarding Peace Park.
Night Rider raid on Hopkinsville From Wikipedia

In the early hours of December 7, 1907, the Silent Brigade struck Hopkinsville.

Having left their horses on the outskirts of town around 250 masked men marched down 9th Street to Main where they separated and carried out their orders with military precision. While several men guarded the routes into and out of the city and other downtown streets, other small groups took control of the police and fire departments, L&N rail depot and the telephone and telegraph offices essentially cutting of all communications. Others rode up and down the streets shooting out windows whenever a light would be turned on. Several people were held hostage in a make shift corral on Main street. Many businesses were vandalized including the newspaper
Peace Park inside stone wall. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2015
2. Peace Park inside stone wall.
office and a buyer for one of the local tobacco company, Lindsey Mitchell was dragged from his home and brutally beaten. It only took a few minutes and the Night Riders had complete control of the city.

The largest group then proceeded to first burn to the ground the Latham warehouse near the Rail Depot then the Tandy and Fairleigh warehouse a few blocks away. The fires burned out of control catching several residences and even the Associations warehouse. A brakeman, J.C. Felts working for the railroad was shot in the back with 35 rounds of buckshot (which proved to not be fatal) as he tried to save railcars from the fire. Dr Amoss was even wounded in the head by his own men and was taken away from town early to be treated.

As had occurred in Princeton, when the raid concluded the men assembled then singing My Old Kentucky Home left town.

While the raid was taking place Major Bassett, the leader of the militia, slipped out of a rear window in his house and raised a posse of eleven men to pursue the Night Riders when they left town. Because the Night Riders failed to post a rear guard members of the posse were able to intermingle with the group. Several miles outside of town the Night Riders split up with majority of them riding off in a different direction. The posse staying with the smaller group opened fire, killing one and injuring another in
Peace Park includes walking trail and picnic tables. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2015
3. Peace Park includes walking trail and picnic tables.
the skirmish.

As a result of the raid on Hopkinsville, The Kentucky Militia was ordered on active duty and Major Bassett was given command of all military operations in the area. The Militia would remain on duty from December 1907 until November 1908. There would be no raids where the soldiers were stationed.
 
Adjoining the park is the former train depot. image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Mark Hilton, September 1, 2015
4. Adjoining the park is the former train depot.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 637 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 23, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.

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Mar. 19, 2024