Bardstown in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Tannery Hill
Wetland & Greenspace
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2025
1. Tannery Hill Marker
Benefits of Wetlands
·Wetlands are bustling hubs of life, offering homes to a diverse range of animals like amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.
·Acting like natural filters, wetlands clean up our water, trapping sediments and soaking up pollutants.
·During storms, wetlands soak up excess rain water, preventing floods downstream, and even easing droughts by gradually releasing stored water.
·Wetlands are nature's erosion fighters, with their lush vegetation holding soil tight on riverbanks and wetland edges, preventing soil loss downstream.
Wetlands: Nature's Protectors
Wetlands are important to animal and plant species because, with readily available water and dense vegetation, they host a greater biodiversity than other types of habitat. They are important to humans because wetlands have a natural ability to filter pollutants out of water. Wetlands also play a role in flood and erosion control.
The natural area that borders a creek is called a "Riparian Zone." The diverse range of plants along the waters edge act as a protective buffer between the land and the water. These transitional zones provide habitat
this page online
Animals
Tannery Hill Trail, a haven for local wildlife, offers a chance to spot native Kentucky animals. Keep an ear out for the melodic songs of the Red-winged Blackbird and watch for gnawed tree stumps - a telltale sign of busy beavers crafting their dams in the area.
Wetland Restoration
In 2009 the City of Bardstown constructed a sewer trunk line through this area, following the Town Creek. The new sewer was necessary to support the growing community and prevent sewer overflows, however, the construction disturbed a number of wetland areas along the creek. In accordance with the US Army Corp of Engineers nationwide permit criteria, the City restored the wetlands impacted by the project and paid into the Kentucky in-lieu fee mitigation program that helps preserve other wetlands areas in the State. The health of the watershed is better today with a properly sized sewer system, restored wetlands, and a protective conservation area to buffer the stream.
Native Plants
Kentucky's
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2025
2. Tannery Hill Marker
·Cut Leaf Toothcup - Often considered a "pioneer species," meaning it is one of the first plants to colonize disturbed or newly formed wetland areas, playing a crucial role in ecosystem succession.
·Butterfly Weed - Despite its name, it's not only loved by butterflies, but also attracts a variety of other pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds.
·Cattails - Every part of this plant is edible! From the tender shoots to the roots (called "rhizomes") and even the pollen, which can be used as a substitue for flour.
·Soft Rush - Native Americans from the Cherokee, Shawnee, and Chickasaw tribes used soft rush for weaving baskets, mats, and other crafts due to its flexible and durable stems.
Erected by Bardstown Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2009.
Location. 37° 48.425′ N, 85° 27.659′ W. Marker is in Bardstown, Kentucky, in Nelson County. It is on County Route 8005A south of East Stephen Foster Avenue (U.S. 62). Marker is at the Tannery Hill trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 417 E Stephen Foster Ave, 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, 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: Tannery Hill Hiking Trail (here, next to this marker); Austin Hubbard (Narcissa) House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Cistern (approx. ¼ mile away); The Cobblestone Path (approx. ¼ mile away); Federal Hill (approx. 0.3 miles away); Adam Anthony House (approx. 0.3 miles away); My Old Kentucky Home (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Chapeze House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bardstown.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 47 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 11, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
