Near Gentryville in Spencer County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
The James Gentry Home and Store
Indiana State Parks - Reservoirs
Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 10, 2021
1. The James Gentry Home and Store Marker
A general store was a necessary part of a young community, allowing the farmer's raw materials to be exchanged for finished products.
[Captions:]
Gentry and Lincoln
Gentry hired Abraham Lincoln to clerk at this store.
At one point, James Gentry sent Lincoln on a flatboat to New Orleans to deliver goods. It was there that young Abraham witnessed a slave auction, an experience that made a huge impression on him.
A short walk will take you to the site of the James Gentry Home and Store. James Gentry was born in N. Carolina in 1788. He married Elizabeth Hornbeck in Kentucky in 1803. When they arrived in Spencer County in 1818, James purchased 1000 acres. He established a store and built a 2-story cabin. James and Elizabeth had eight children. The town of Gentryville bears his name.
In the spring of 1830, the Lincoln Family left the Little Pigeon Creek Settlement. They spent their last night at the Gentry Home.
Erected by Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels
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Location. 38° 6.822′ N, 87° 1.256′ W. Marker is near Gentryville, Indiana, in Spencer County. Marker is on Indiana Route 162, 0.2 miles west of County Road N200E, on the right when traveling west. The marker stands at a small pull-off along State Route 162 at Lincoln State Park. A short trail at this pull-off leads to the site of the James Gentry Home. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gentryville IN 47537, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. James Gentry, Sr (within shouting distance of this marker); Gentry Home Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Colonel Jones Home / Colonel William Jones (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Lamar Barn (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Little Pigeon Cemetery / The Little Pigeon Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Plaza (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lincoln Spring (approx. 1.3 miles away); Now he belongs to the ages (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gentryville.
Photographed By Shane Oliver, July 10, 2021
2. The James Gentry Home and Store Marker
Historical Markers at pull-off along IN-162.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 479 times since then and 104 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 14, 2021, by Shane Oliver of Richmond, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
