Harrodsburg in Mercer County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Early Gun Shop Site
⎯⎯⎯
Famed Gunsmith

Early Gun Shop Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian K. Hall, January 31, 2022

1. Early Gun Shop Site Marker

Replacement marker from 2018.

Inscription. Early Gun Shop Site Here Benjamin Mills made some of finest rifles in US, ca. 1844-1863. His muzzle loaders were famous for their superb accuracy at a time when craftsmanship made all the difference. Used by Dr. Christopher Graham, conceded to be the best target shot in world, and used by the Boone Shooting Club, of which Graham and Gov. Beriah Magoffin were members.

Famed Gunsmith In the 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry, John Brown captured armorer Benjamin Mills. Mills was rescued the next day by Marines under Col. Robert E. Lee. Mills testified at Brown’s trial as a defense witness, then returned to Harrodsburg to resume his own gunsmithing business. Mills declined to join either side during the ensuing Civil War.

Erected 1970 by Kentucky Historical Society. (Marker Number 1335.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 37° 45.516′ N, 84° 50.644′ W. Marker is in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in Mercer County. It is on Mooreland Avenue east of Chestnut Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map.

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Marker is in this post office area: Harrodsburg KY 40330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

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: The Academy (within shouting distance of this marker); United Presbyterian Church (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Mother Town of Kentucky (about 300 feet away); Clay Hill (about 400 feet away); Old Mercer County Jail (about 400 feet away); Harrodsburg Springs (about 400 feet away); Harrodsburg Baptist Church (about 400 feet away); Harrodsburg Christian Church (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrodsburg.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Early Gun Shop Site / Civil War Armorer (was here, next to this marker but has been

Famed Gunsmith Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian K. Hall, January 31, 2022

2. Famed Gunsmith Marker

Replacement marker for Civil War Armorer marker.

replaced with another marker now near it).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Old Marker At This Location titled "Early Gun Shop Site / Civil War Armorer".

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2022, by Brian K. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 596 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 4, 2022, by Brian K. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of this replacement marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?

Early Gun Shop Site⎯⎯⎯Famed Gunsmith

Early Gun Shop Site
⎯⎯⎯
Famed Gunsmith