Near Hickman in Fulton County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

New Madrid Earthquake

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

1. New Madrid Earthquake Marker

Inscription. The greatest earthquake recorded in North America centered in this area Dec. 16, 1811 to Feb. 7, 1812. 1,874 quakes felt at Louisville, 250 miles away. Tremors also felt at Boston, Detroit, New Orleans. Reelfoot Lake, covering 25,000 acres, formed when some streams changed courses. New Madrid, Mo., destroyed; very few persons died, as population of area was sparse.

Erected 1964 by Kentucky Historical Society - Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 688.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 7, 1812.

Location. 36° 31.073′ N, 89° 20.347′ W. Marker is near Hickman, Kentucky, in Fulton County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 94 and County Road 1282, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 94. Located just north of Reelfoot Lake. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hickman KY 42050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 Great River Road Region.

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 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fulton County (approx. 8.9 miles away); Courthouse Steps (approx. 8.9 miles away); Where Dixie Begins (approx. 8.9 miles away); Confederate Forts & Batteries

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(approx. 9.3 miles away in Tennessee); Capture of Island No. 10 (approx. 9.3 miles away in Tennessee); Elvis J. Stahr, Jr. (approx. 9.3 miles away); Rufus B. Atwood (approx. 9.3 miles away); Hickman Bluff Stabilization Project (approx. 9.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hickman.

Also see . . . New Madrid Fault Zone. An incredibly detailed site offering photos, maps, and even a "tour" of the earthquake zone. (Submitted on April 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

2. New Madrid Earthquake Marker

Epicenter of Quake image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

3. Epicenter of Quake

The largest of the earthquakes, magintude 7.4 by some accounts, was recorded on February 7, 1812. Its epicenter was traced by the USGS to a location near the present day Noranda aluminum plant, south of New Madrid. The smokestacks of the plant are visible for many miles around, serving as a reference.

Mississippi River at New Madrid image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009

4. Mississippi River at New Madrid

The town of New Madrid originally stood where the river runs today. At the time of the earthquake, the ground dropped and was soon covered by the river. The town was rebuilt on the new shore. In the distance are the smoke stacks of the aluminum plant.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6,840 times since then and 129 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week January 30, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 28, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.