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

James Bradley

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 27, 2016

1. James Bradley Marker

Inscription.
The life of this one man summarizes the experiences of millions of Afro-Americans. Born in Africa in the early Nineteenth Century, slave traders brought Bradley to America as an infant. By the time he was 18 years old, Bradley managed his master's Arkansas Plantation. Over a five year period he earned enough money to purchase his freedom.

As a freeman Bradley crossed the Ohio River here at Covington, the legal and symbolic divide between slavery and freedom. He enrolled at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati in 1834. Bradley was the only ex-slave who participated in the Famous Lane Seminary debates on slavery and abolitionism. Bradley's participation stood as an eloquent witness to the equality of all. His speech declared that the great desire of the slaves was "liberty and education."

This sculpture made possible by:
the Bernstein Family/Mike Fink, the Kentucky Post, Jerry Deters and Family, Peoples Liberty Bank, Hopple Plastics, Inc., St Elizabeth Medical Center, Kenton County Airport Board

Sculptor, George Danhires

An official project of the Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission, 1988

Erected 1988

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Click or scan to see
this page online

by Greater Cincinnati Bicentennial Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Agriculture. A significant historical year for this entry is 1834.

Location. 39° 5.488′ N, 84° 30.333′ W. Marker is in Covington, Kentucky, in Kenton County. It is at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Kennedy Street, on the left when traveling east on Riverside Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Covington KY 41011, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Outer Bluegrass. It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Ohio River Valley.

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: Captain Mary B. Greene (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Great Neighborhoods / Riverwalk Statues

James Bradley and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 27, 2016

2. James Bradley and Marker

The marker is visible here on the left, set into the brickwork.

(about 300 feet away); The Point (about 300 feet away); George and Ruth Kohlbran Fountain (about 400 feet away); Chief Little Turtle (about 400 feet away); Kennedy House (about 400 feet away); Carneal House, ca. 1815 (about 400 feet away); Simon Kenton (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Covington.

Also see . . .
1. James Bradley bought his freedom from slavery, came to Cincinnati...(WCPO, 2/28/19). (Submitted on June 29, 2019.)
2. James Bradley – from hopeless bondage to Lane Rebel (Oberlin Heritage Center Blog). (Submitted on June 29, 2019.)

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 27, 2016

3. James Bradley and Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 2,620 times since then and 127 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 28, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.