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

Early Vital Junction
⎯⎯⎯
Colonel John Bowman

Early Vital Junction side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 5, 2023

1. Early Vital Junction side of marker

Inscription. Early Vital Junction Crossroads for pioneer defense. Harrodsburg, 1774, Harrod's Fort, 1775, and two miles east Bowman's Fort, 1777, earliest in area. In 1779-80 eight fortified stations built nearby – Crow's, Fisher's, Gordon's, Haggin's, McGary's, McMurtry's, Smith's, and Trigg's. Routes connecting them converged here in defense plan. All Indian attacks in area defeated.

Colonel John Bowman Military Commander of Kentucky, appointed, 1776, by Gov. Patrick Henry of Va. and, 1778, by Gov. Thomas Jefferson. Built Bowman's Fort, 2 miles east of here, 1777. Brought 30 families, 1779, settling at fort. Leader of defense against Indians in period of hostilities. Directed attack into Ohio, 1779. On first court, Harrodsburg, 1777. A first Transylvania trustee.

Erected 1966 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 926.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1774.

Location. 37° 45.154′ N, 84° 45.722′

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W. Marker is in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, in Mercer County. It is on East Main Street (Kentucky Route 152) west of Pleasant Hill Drive/Danville Street ( Route 33), on the left when traveling west. Marker is in front of Burgin Independent School. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 440 E Main St, 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Burgin Christian Church (approx. half a mile away); Glenworth / Robert Mosby Davis House (approx. 1.7 miles away); John Gordon's Station (approx. 2.2 miles away); Rev. John Rice (approx. 2.3 miles away); John Bunton's Station (approx. 2.7 miles away); J.S. Wallace House (approx. 3.1 miles away); Boone's Cave (approx. 3.4 miles away); Abraham Chapline Plantation / Rufus Henry Vandarsdall House (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Harrodsburg.

Also see . . . John Bowman (pioneer). Wikipedia entry (Submitted on March 17, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Colonel John Bowman side of marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 5, 2023

2. Colonel John Bowman side of marker

Early Vital Junction / Colonel John Bowman Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, March 5, 2023

3. Early Vital Junction / Colonel John Bowman Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on March 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 521 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 16, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Early Vital Junction⎯⎯⎯Colonel John Bowman

Early Vital Junction
⎯⎯⎯
Colonel John Bowman