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

John James Audubon in Henderson

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

1. John James Audubon in Henderson Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 1810, John James Audubon, the famed ornithologist and painter, his wife Lucy and infant son Victor arrived in Henderson floating on a skiff downriver from Louisville, Kentucky. Audubon loved the frontier spirit of Henderson in the early 1800's, roaming the woods, observing and painting the many species of birds abundant in this area. Few of Audubon's paintings from his time in Henderson survive. Every year on his birthday he would edit his work and destroy all that were not up to his current standards. Many of those that he did keep were destroyed when, during a long family absence from Henderson, rodents built a nest in the box where his work was stored. Audubon later stated this event forced him to replace the works with ones utilizing a much better technique. Two of Audubon's four children were born here and baby Lucy is buried in Henderson. The Audubons left Henderson in 1819 when he began work on his publication of The Birds of America.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1810.

Location. 37° 50.451′ N, 87° 35.659′

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W. Marker is in Henderson, Kentucky, in Henderson County. Marker can be reached from North Water Street north of 1st Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located along the pedestrian walkway in Audubon Mill Park, overlooking the Ohio River. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 North Water Street, Henderson KY 42420, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General "Stovepipe" Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Father of the Blues (a few steps from this marker); Henderson's Governors (within shouting distance of this marker); Steamboats (within shouting distance of this marker); Good Government League (within shouting distance of this marker); Audubon's Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Audubon Saw and Grist Mill (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark in Kentucky / Henderson (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Henderson.

More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. John James Audubon in Henderson

Also see . . . John James Audubon: Illustrator, Painter, Scientist (1785–1851). While attempting to keep his business afloat and family

John James Audubon in Henderson Marker (<i>tall view; Ohio River in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

2. John James Audubon in Henderson Marker (tall view; Ohio River in background)

fed, Audubon also took time to travel and hunt, becoming progressively more intimate with the natural environment and dedicated to documenting it. During this time, the couple had three more children, a son and two daughters; sadly, both of the girls died while they were both very young. Those personal tragedies were compounded by the ultimate failure of his business, which briefly landed Audubon in jail for unpaid debts. Unsure of where to turn next, in 1820 Audubon headed south to study and draw birds. He eventually settled with his family in New Orleans. (Submitted on August 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

John James Audubon in Henderson Marker (<i>wide view; Ohio River & railroad bridge in background</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 17, 2017

3. John James Audubon in Henderson Marker (wide view; Ohio River & railroad bridge in background

John James Audubon image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John James Audubon, circa 1822

4. John James Audubon

This 1822-23 self-portrait of John James Audubon hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2018. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 77 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 15, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 4. submitted on August 16, 2018, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.