Morehead in Rowan County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

The Bluejackets

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 4, 2017

1. The Bluejackets Marker

Inscription. As its primary support of the war effort in World War II, this campus hosted the training of more than 4,400 sailors as shipboard electricians between June 1942 and July 1944. The U.S. Navy Training School (Electrical) had 600 trainees at a time, coming directly from basic training. The “Bluejackets” lived in Thompson and Mays Halls during their four-month tours. The sailors went from MSU to wartime duty stations aboard U.S. warships, many never to return. Thanks to the leadership and patriotism of President William H. Vaughan and Dean Warren C. Lappin, the Navy’s presence helped MSU survive the strains of wartime rationing and low enrollments.

Erected 2001 by Morehead State University. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is June 1942.

Location. 38° 11.268′ N, 83° 26.021′ W. Marker is in Morehead, Kentucky, in Rowan County. It is on University Boulevard, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Morehead KY 40351, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass and in the Cumberland Plateau.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: University Breckinridge School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Building And Land (about 700 feet

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away); Capt. William E. Barber, USMC (about 700 feet away); First Faculty And Staff (about 800 feet away); National Register Historic District / Morehead State University (approx. 0.2 miles away); Quilting Memories (approx. ¼ mile away); Colonel John Hargis (approx. ¼ mile away); Courthouse Burned (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Morehead.

More about this marker. Dedicated March 29, 2001, the marker was erected near the main entrance of Grote-Thompson Hall, a residence hall actually used by the sailors of MSU.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 4, 2017

2. The Bluejackets Marker

Thompson Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 4, 2017

3. Thompson Hall

Photographed by Tom Bosse, November 4, 2017

4. Thompson Hall

Credits. This page was last revised on November 21, 2017. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 17, 2017, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.