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

"The Big Spring"

Photographed by Brian K. Hall, October 1, 2021

1. "The Big Spring" Marker

Inscription. This spring, with its abundant, never-failing flow of water, was reason for the location of Harrodsburg. Capt. James Harrod with his party, on June 16, 1774, began building first settlement in Kentucky along this "town branch." Harrod in the previous year had visited the area and after choosing this site returned to build town bearing his name.

Erected 1972 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1449.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 16, 1774.

Location. 37° 45.908′ N, 84° 50.27′ W. Marker is in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in Mercer County. It is at the intersection of East Factory Street and Pioneer Way, on the right when traveling east on East Factory Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 426 E Factory St, Harrodsburg KY 40330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Bluegrass

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Region.

It is also 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: The Big Spring (a few steps from this marker); Charles Ficklin / Alexander Buchanan House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hogue / Williams House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Baptist Tabernacle of The Wilderness (approx. 0.2 miles away); Wilderness Revival (approx. 0.2 miles away); Muscoe Garnett House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Woodsland (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lucy Newton Cogar House (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrodsburg.

Also see . . . James Harrod. (Submitted on July 18, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Brian K. Hall, October 1, 2021

2. "The Big Spring" Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 6, 2019

3. "The Big Spring" Marker

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 6, 2019

4. "The Big Spring" Marker

"The Big Spring" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, July 6, 2019

5. "The Big Spring"

Photographed by Brian K. Hall, October 1, 2021

6. The Big Spring

James Harrod Signature image. Click for full size.

7. James Harrod Signature

Credits. This page was last revised on January 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 18, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,725 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2021, by Brian K. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 18, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 6. submitted on October 4, 2021, by Brian K. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky. 7. submitted on July 18, 2020, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.