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

Replica of the First Steamboat

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

1. Replica of the First Steamboat Marker

Inscription.
Replica of the first steamboat built by Lt. John Fitch in 1786. One twenty-fifth the size of the original boat.

Product of the John Fitch Chapter D.A.R.

Erected by John Fitch Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1786.

Location. 37° 48.564′ N, 85° 27.982′ W. Marker is in Bardstown, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It is at the intersection of Court Square (U.S. 31E/150) and East Stephen Foster Avenue (U.S. 62), on the right when traveling north on Court Square. Location is the northeast arc of Court Square between East Stephen Foster Avenue and North Third Street. The replica steamboat and marker are behind the John Fitch memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bardstown KY 40004, 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,

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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 walking distance of this marker: John Fitch Memorial (a few steps from this marker); County Named, 1784 (within shouting distance of this marker); Wilson & Muir Bank & Trust Co. (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson Countians who served and Gave All (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson County World War I, World War II, Korean War, & Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam 1969 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Crystal Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederates Here (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bardstown.

Also see . . . John Fitch (inventor) (Wikipedia). Overview:

John Fitch (January 21, 1743 – July 2, 1798) was an American inventor, clockmaker, entrepreneur, and engineer. He was most famous for operating
Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

2. Replica of the First Steamboat and Marker. John Fitch Memorial is on the right
the first steamboat service in the United States. The first boat, 45 feet long, was tested on the Delaware River by Fitch and his design assistant Steven Pagano.

(Submitted on September 4, 2025.)

Replica of the First Steamboat, starboard view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

3. Replica of the First Steamboat, starboard view

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 100 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 2, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.