West Point in Hardin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Lewis and Clark in Kentucky
John Shields (1769-1809)
⎯⎯⎯
John Shields
(1769-1809)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018
1. Lewis and Clark in Kentucky - John Shields (1769-1809) Marker (Side 1)
Lewis and Clark in Kentucky
One of the "Nine Young Men From Ky." that accompanied Lewis and Clark on 1803-6 expedition to the Pacific Ocean. Shields was born in Va. and moved to Ky. in the 1790s. By 1803 he was married and living in West Point, Hardin Co. Over.
John Shields (1769-1809)
Wm. Clark recruited Shields to be primary blacksmith and gunsmith on expedition. He was also one of the main hunters and cured a fellow explorer of a serious back ailment. After the expedition, Shields moved to Ind. where he died in Dec. 1809.
Presented by Hardin Co.-West Point L & C Bicentennial Com.; Ohio River Chapter-L & C Trail Heritage Foundation; National Park Service; Ky. L & C Bicentennial Commission.
Erected 2003 by Kentucky Historical Society & Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2123.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society, and the Lewis & Clark Expedition series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1809.
Location. 38° 0.044′ N, 85° 56.717′ W. Marker is in West Point, Kentucky,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. 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: Sears and Roebuck (a few steps from this marker); Pearman's Settlement (within shouting distance of this marker); James Young House (within shouting distance of this marker); Young's Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Founding of West Point/ James Young (within shouting distance of this marker); The Salt Warehouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Cemetery (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ditto-Lansdale House / Civil War Hospital (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West
Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018
2. Lewis and Clark in Kentucky - John Shields (1769-1809) Marker (Side 2)
Also see . . . Private John Shields. (Submitted on August 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)
Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 5, 2018
3. Lewis and Clark in Kentucky - John Shields (1769-1809) Marker
4. Captain Meriwether Lewis
5. 2nd Lieutenant William Clark
Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,164 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 19, 2018, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
