Ned Buntline
⎯⎯⎯
Gower House
Ned Buntline. Pen name of Edward Z. C. Judson, father of the dime novel, came to Smithland to publish his works; lived here in 1845. He brought fame to “Buffalo Bill” (William Cody) thru stories and promotion of his renowned wild west show. He wrote of the marshals of the frontier west. In 1876, gave to Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, others, Colt "Buntline Special” revolvers.
Gower House. Erected about 1780: one of the
luxury inns built to accommodate
the travelers on the Ohio River.
Host to many celebrities of that
era, including Presidents James
K. Polk, Zachary Taylor: founder
American Red Cross, Clara Barton;
authors Charles Dickens and Lew
Wallace; and Henry Clay. Lafayette
was a guest here in May of 1825
while on his triumphal US tour.
Erected 1966 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 938.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society, and the Lafayettes Farewell Tour series lists.
Location. 37° 8.593′ N, 88° 24.329′
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase. It is also in the American Midwest, in the South, 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: Dallam-Bush House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 0.2 miles away); Confluence of the Cumberland and Ohio Rivers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Federal Commissary Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); County Named, 1798 (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Civil War Base (approx. 0.3 miles away); Livingston County Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smithland.
Also see . . .
1. Gower House Historic Site. From the Lewis and Clark Trail Experience website (Submitted on June 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Gower House on Wikipedia. Added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 24, 1973 (#73000815). (Submitted on June 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
3. Ned Buntline on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 16, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 842 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
