Clinton in Hickman County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Marvin College

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach

1. Marvin College Marker

Inscription. A Methodist school, built 1884-5, originally stood on this site. It operated until 1922 when it closed because of advance of free public schools. Alben W. Barkley, Congressman, Senator and United States Vice President, 1949-53, was graduated here in 1897. He worked his way through by doing janitorial work, giving rise to the phrase, "Barkley swept here."

Erected 1965 by Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 891.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 36° 40.308′ N, 88° 59.618′ W. Marker is in Clinton, Kentucky, in Hickman County. It is on North Washington Street (U.S. 51) 0.4 miles north of Clay Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 423 N Washington St, Clinton KY 42031, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Jackson Purchase.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the South,

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western

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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: First Christian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); County Named, 1821 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clinton Seminary (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hickman County Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); Clinton College (approx. 0.4 miles away); Guerrilla Raids on Clinton (approx. 1.1 miles away); Casey Jones (approx. 8.3 miles away); Columbus (approx. 8.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Clinton.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Bivouac (was approx. 8.3 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach

2. Marvin College Marker

reverse side

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 15, 2024

3. Marvin College Marker

looking north along US 51.

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 15, 2024

4. Marvin College Marker

looking south along US 51

Photographed by Paul Fehrenbach, May 15, 2024

5. Marvin College Marker

Old Marvin College buildings

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 13, 2025, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 123 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 13, 2025, by Paul Fehrenbach of Richfield, Wisconsin. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.