Richmond in Madison County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Milford, 1st Seat of Madison County
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2025
1. Milford, 1st Seat of Madison County Marker
(Side 1)
Madison County was created from Lincoln County in 1785 and later became 14 counties. Madison County was formally organized at Milford on August 22, 1786 as approved by the Virginia General Assembly with ten Justices of the Court & other officials seated. A courthouse with jail opened in 1788. Milford was platted with a commons, businesses, and homes.
Reverse Side
Milford was short lived as the county seat due to geographic and political reasons. The Kentucky Legislature approved moving the county Seat of Justice to a more centralized Richmond in 1798. The court last met in Milford on January 6, 1798. The town then rapidly declined. Milford was to the south at Old Town Branch Road & Old Town Branch Creek.
Erected 2020 by Kentucky Historical Society-Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 2617.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1798.
Location. 37° 44.212′ N, 84° 20.14′ W. Marker is in Richmond, Kentucky, in Madison County. It is at the intersection of Barnes Mill Road (Kentucky Route 876) and Goggins Lane, on
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the American South, specifically in 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: White Oak Pond Church (here, next to this marker); Grave of Hancock Taylor (approx. 1.6 miles away); Christopher (Kit) Carson (approx. 1.7 miles away); Kit Carson-Legend of the Old West (approx. 1.8 miles away); Eastern Kentucky Univ. (approx. 2 miles away); Angels of the Battlefield (approx. 2.1 miles away); Gov. James B. McCreary (approx. 2.2 miles away); A Chaotic and Frenzied Retreat
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2025
2. Milford, 1st Seat of Madison County Marker
(Side 2 - Reverse)
More about this marker. Located right next to Marker number 1979
Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 16, 2025
3. Milford, 1st Seat of Madison County Marker
View is looking north. Marker is in the foreground.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2025, by Emily Bailey of Richmond, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 18, 2025, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
