Near Richmond in Madison County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

“Lion of White Hall”

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 23, 2022

1. “Lion of White Hall” Marker

Inscription. West of here is White Hall, home of Cassius M. Clay (1810-1903). For a half century, Clay was a “firebrand” in American life. Fearless abolitionist, publisher of anti-slavery paper, The True American, captain in the Mexican War, legislator and Minister to Russia. When Ft. Sumter fell, he organized civilian guard for U.S. Capitol until army could protect.

Erected 1962 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 533.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • Government & Politics • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list.

Location. 37° 50.573′ N, 84° 19.935′ W. Marker is near Richmond, Kentucky, in Madison County. It is on White Hall Shrine Road (Kentucky Route 3055) 0.1 miles west of U.S. 421, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Richmond KY 40475, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in

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the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Laura Clay (1849-1941) (approx. 1.3 miles away); Mary Barr Clay (approx. 1.3 miles away); White Hall State Historic Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); Abraham Lincoln & Cassius Marcellus Clay (approx. 1.3 miles away); White Hall (approx. 1.3 miles away); Kentucky & the Emancipation Proclamation (approx. 1.3 miles away); Richmond Garden Club (approx. 1.3 miles away); Stone Kitchen (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Richmond.

Another marker is no longer nearby. "Lion of White Hall" (was about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 23, 2022

2. “Lion of White Hall” Marker

Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810-1903) image. Click for full size.

Matthew Brady via Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Public Domain)

3. Cassius Marcellus Clay (1810-1903)

Nearly killed twice for his fervent opposition to slavery, he helped secure Russian support for the Union during the Civil War. He also was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of Alaska from Russia.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 23, 2022

4. White Hall

Green Clay, father of Cassius Marcellus Clay, built the original Georgian mansion in 1791. During Cassius Clay's time as the U.S. ambassador to Russia in the 1860s, his wife Mary Jane oversaw construction of a major Italianate addition to the house. Their daughters were active in the woman's suffrage movement, with Laura becoming the first woman nominated by a political party for President of the United States. The house now is owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky and operated as an historic site.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 25, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 467 times since then and 41 times this year. Last updated on November 15, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 25, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.