Bloomfield in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

James Guthrie (1792-1869)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

1. James Guthrie (1792-1869) Marker, Side One

Inscription. This railroad promoter and U. S. Secretary of Treasury was born near Bloomfield. Appointed, at age 28, Commonwealth's Attorney by Governor Adair. He represented Jefferson Co. and Louisville in General Assembly, 1827-40. Guthrie served as president of Kentucky Constitutional Conv., 1849; as U.S. Treasurer, 1853-57, under Pierce; and in U.S. Senate, 1865-68.

Guthrie – lawyer, statesman, and financier – became a noted leader interested in both the development of resources and politics. In Gen. Assembly he promoted legislation for Bank of Kentucky and framed its charter. Guthrie strongly advocated railroad construction. During Civil War, he was conservative Unionist. As L&N pres., he placed railroad in service of U.S. government.

Erected 1991 by Kentucky Historical Society • Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1883.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.

Location. 37° 54.81′ N, 85° 19.231′ W. Marker is

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in Bloomfield, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It is at the intersection of Depot Street and Perry Street, on the right when traveling north on Depot Street. Marker is in front of Bloomfield City Hall (former Louisville & Nashville Railroad depot). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 141 Depot St, Bloomfield KY 40008, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Louisville Area.

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 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Romantic 1825 Tragedy (approx. ¼ mile away); Walnut Groves Farm (approx. 0.7 miles away); Ham Brown Log Cabin (approx. 0.8 miles away); Kincheloe's Station (approx. 4 miles away); Guerrilla Quantrill (approx. 4.1 miles away); Original Site of St. Michael's Parish (approx. 4.7 miles away); Camp Charity

James Guthrie (1792-1869) Marker, Side Two image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

2. James Guthrie (1792-1869) Marker, Side Two

(approx. 5½ miles away); The Spy Who Saved the Union (approx. 8.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bloomfield.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Mt. Zion Covered Bridge (was approx. 6.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . James Guthrie (Kentucky politician). Wikipedia entry on the Kentucky lawyer, plantation owner, railroad president and Democratic Party politician. (Submitted on July 11, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

James Guthrie (1792-1869) Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 16, 2024

3. James Guthrie (1792-1869) Marker

The marker is at Bloomfield City Hall, located in the former Louisville & Nashville depot.

James Guthrie (1792-1869) image. Click for full size.

Matthew Brady via National Archives and Records Administration (cropped/public domain), circa 1860/65

4. James Guthrie (1792-1869)

A Unionist who unsuccessfully sought the 1860 Democratic presidential nomination, he declined President Abraham Lincoln's offer to become U.S. Secretary of War. He also rebuffed federal pressure to nationalize the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, but allowed the Union to use its trains to move troops and supplies during the Civil War.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 363 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 9, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. 4. submitted on July 11, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.