Perryville in Boyle County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

James Harbeson

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

1. James Harbeson Marker

Inscription. He founded a fort after the Revolutionary War in a cave by the Chaplin River, which later became Perryville. He went to the rescue of his fellow men under attack by Native Americans and was beheaded. His body was never found, only his head, which his wife kept in alcohol for many years, in a complete state of preservation, according to Dr. Jefferson J. Polk, who as a prominent physician during that era. This park is named after one of his descendants, Marvin Hope Harbeson, who died a few years ago and bought the marker located here in honor of his parents.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Forts and Castles.

Location. 37° 39.013′ N, 84° 57.097′ W. Marker is in Perryville, Kentucky, in Boyle County. It is at the intersection of South Buell Street (U.S. 68) and East 2nd Street (U.S. 68/150), on the right when traveling north on South Buell Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 204 S Buell St, Perryville KY 40468, 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 walking distance of this marker: John Michael and Eddie Montgomery (here, next to this marker); Carry Nation (here, next to this marker); Gravicalymene Hagani (here, next to this marker); Perryville (here,

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

next to this marker); Addison Parks (a few steps from this marker); Milton J. Durham (a few steps from this marker); Lt. Col. Charles C. Bond (a few steps from this marker); Nina Bruce Warren Clooney (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perryville.

James Harbeson Marker, part of a series of markers. Subject marker is in the center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Parker, August 18, 2025

2. James Harbeson Marker, part of a series of markers. Subject marker is in the center

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.