Near Wickliffe in Ballard County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Fort Jefferson Site
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Indian Massacre
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 10, 2026
1. Fort Jefferson Site / Indian Massacre Marker
Fort Jefferson Site side
Fort Jefferson Site
Built in 1780 by George Rogers Clark as part of impressive plan of settlement, conceived by Gov. Patrick Henry of Virginia, later pursued by and named for Gov. Thomas Jefferson. The fort was to protect US claim to its western border and to be a key trading post. It was abandoned, 1781. Over.
Resettled after Jackson Purchase. Important Union post in Civil War.
Indian Massacre
In 1781, the Chickasaws, led by a Scotchman, Colbert, aroused by use of their land without consent, besieged the fort for 5 days. Many settlers killed. Those left became desperate for provisions, already low because of the difficulty in reaching the fort. Gen. Clark arrived with reinforcements and supplies. Indians withdrew. Fort was abandoned thereafter. Over.
Erected 1970 by Kentucky Historical Society and Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1309.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson, and the Kentucky Historical Society series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1780.
Location. 36° 57.336′ N,
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, in the Ohio River Valley, 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 walking distance of this marker: Lewis and Clark in Kentucky Fort Jefferson (here, next to this marker); Fort Jefferson (a few steps from this marker); Flags! Flags! Flags! (within shouting distance of this marker); Brief Overview of Fort Jefferson, 1780-1781 (within shouting distance of this marker); Ft. Jefferson/Town of Clarksville Memorial
Photographed by Craig Swain, March 17, 2009
2. South Side of Marker - Indian Massacre
Also see . . . Fort Jefferson on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Craig Swain
3. Markers at the Fort Jefferson Site
Photographed by Jason Voigt, June 10, 2026
4. Fort Jefferson Site / Indian Massacre Marker
Markers have been moved to the left of Fort Jefferson Visitors Center. This marker is second from the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 4,720 times since then and 95 times this year. Last updated on May 4, 2009. Photos: 1. submitted on June 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on May 2, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on May 1, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 4. submitted on June 10, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
