Frankfort in Franklin County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Beneath The Soil In Front Of You
Fort Hill Civil War Park
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 3, 2019
1. Beneath The Soil Infront Of You Marker
Beneath the soil in front of you,lie the skeletal remains of about 250 people. They were buried originally in a cemetery below the south face of Fort Hill near downtown Frankfort. This was one of Frankfort's earliest cemeteries, and it was in use from around 1800 until the 1800s. After the opening of the Frankfort Cemetery on East Main Street in 1845, most people who died in Frankfort were buried there instead of in the older burial ground. In fact, many remains were moved from the old cemetery to the new one. Over time, the old graves left behind were forgotten. Buildings were even erected over some of them.
The old graveyard was re-discovered during excavations prior to the construction of the new Kentucky Transportation Cabinet building in 2002. Archaeologists then carefully removed the bones, and a scientific study of the burials was conducted by the University of Kentucky.
Once this study was complete, the remains were re-interred here. The identities of the people buried here are not known. Many of them are African-Americans.
A few may have been inmates at the Kentucky Penitentiary, which in the early 1800s stood near the old cemetery.
Clay facial reconstructions of two people buried here, based upon skeletal remains recovered during the 2002 excavation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
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Location. 38° 12.367′ N, 84° 52′ W. Marker is in Frankfort, Kentucky, in Franklin County. Marker is on Clifton Avenue, 0.3 miles west of Cheek Street, on the right when traveling east. First drive to the right, after entering the gate. The marker is on the Fort Hill Civil War Park grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 443 Clifton Ave, Frankfort KY 40601, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Remembering The Soldiers Of The War Of 1812 On Both Sides (here, next to this marker); Here Lie The Remains of 250 Citizens Of Frankfort (here, next to this marker); Oliver Percy Rood (within shouting distance of this marker); Load! Ready! Fire! (approx. 0.2 miles away); General John Hunt Morgan's Cavalrymen (approx. 0.2 miles away); "Kentucky Scouts" Frankfort Battalion (approx. 0.2 miles away); Kentucky's Civil War Governors (approx. ¼ mile away); Election Of 1860 And 1864 — Kentucky (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frankfort.
Photographed By Craig Doda, July 3, 2019
2. Beneath The Soil Infront Of You Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 245 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 13, 2020, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
