Lexington in Fayette County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Oliver Lewis

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 27, 2021

1. Oliver Lewis Marker

Inscription. Oliver Lewis, a Lexington native, was listed as a race rider in the employ of H.P. McGrath, owner of McGrathiana Farm (the current UK Coldstream Research Park) during the 1880 census. Lewis went on to win the first Kentucky Derby in 1875 aboard Aristides. After his riding career ended, Lewis moved to northern Kentucky, where he remained active in thoroughbred racing. He played a major role in developing the racing form that is in current use at race tracks today. Records indicate that Oliver Lewis is buried in African Cemetery No. 2, although his name is not listed on the family monument. In 2010 an extension of Newtown Pike in Lexington was named 'Oliver Lewis Way' in his honor.
Biographical information courtesy of Yvonne Giles and Anne Butler, PhD
Sign produced with support from a University of Kentucky
Commonwealth Collaboratives Grant
"Young Equestrian Scholars Initiative'

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1875.

Location. 38° 3.071′ N, 84° 28.674′ W. Marker is in Lexington, Kentucky, in Fayette County. Marker can be reached from East 7th Street. Marker is located in African Cemetery No. 2. Touch for map

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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 419 East 7th Street, Lexington KY 40508, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Trainers (a few steps from this marker); James 'Soup' Perkins (a few steps from this marker); Hostlers (within shouting distance of this marker); African Americans in the Horse Industry Buried Here (within shouting distance of this marker); Cassius Clay Tankersly (c. 1866-1886) (within shouting distance of this marker); Thomas 'Tommy' Britton (within shouting distance of this marker); Groomsman (within shouting distance of this marker); Joseph Scott (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lexington.

Also see . . . Oliver Lewis (1856-1924). Biographical sketch by BlackPast. (Submitted on March 31, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 27, 2021

2. Oliver Lewis Marker

Oliver Lewis image. Click for full size.

Public domain

3. Oliver Lewis

Oliver Lewis and Aristides image. Click for full size.

Public domain, May 17, 1875

4. Oliver Lewis and Aristides

They won the inaugural Kentucky Derby by a reported two lengths in 1875.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 31, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 31, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 238 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 31, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.