Harrodsburg in Mercer County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Mercer County Before Kentucky Became a State
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 6, 2019
1. Mercer County Before Kentucky Became a State Marker
1774 ~ Laid off as Harrodstown by James Harrod and companions. First permanent English settlement west of the Alleghany Mountains.
1776 ~ Virginia Legislature formed Kentucky County, the area now Commonwealth of Kentucky, named Harrodsburg seat of government.
1777 ~ First Court held in area.
1780 ~ Virginia Legislature divided Kentucky County into Lincoln, Fayette and Jefferson Counties with Harrodsburg seat of Lincoln County government.
1785 ~ Virginia Legislature formed Mercer County out of Lincoln, the area shown on map which was the same when Kentucky became a state in 1792. Harrodsburg was continued as the county seat.
Here was the center of organization that held the Northwest against outside attack. George Rogers Clark planned campaign of 1778. Hdqrs. of Col. John Bowman military commander of Kentucky County, 1775 to 1780. Stations shown on map were defense against Indians.
1774 Kentucky's first settlement.
James Harmon's corn crop.
1775 Rev. John Lythe's services
Dr. George Hard, physician.
1776 Mrs. Jane Coomes' school.
Wm. Poage's plow and loom.
Ann McGinty's linsey-woolsey.
Wheat sown, reaped 1777.
1777
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1782 Capt. McMurtry's grist mill.
1783 Horse racing, Humble's "Race Paths"; Jail; Road to Squire Boone's Station "viewed" and opened.
Erected 1967 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1083.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1774.
Location. 37° 45.639′ N, 84° 50.648′ W. Marker is in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in Mercer County. Marker is on Short Street just west of South Main Street, on the left when traveling west. The marker is located on the Courthouse lawn. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 121 Short Street, Harrodsburg KY 40330, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Lawyer’s Row (a few steps from this marker); Court House Square (within shouting distance of this marker); A General's Prayer (within shouting distance of this marker); Morgan Row - 1807 (within shouting distance of this marker); Colonel George Morgan Chinn, USMC / Weapons Expert (within shouting distance of this marker); County Named / Mercer County
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 6, 2019
2. Mercer County Before Kentucky Became a State Marker
Center Panel - Map
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 6, 2019
3. Mercer County Before Kentucky Became a State Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 453 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 12, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
