Springfield in Washington County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Washington County
Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, March 22, 2009
1. Washington County Marker
The first county formed by first Assembly of Kentucky, 1792. Named for Geo. Washington. Springfield, county seat, laid off, 1793, by Matthew Walton; veteran of War of Revolution, legislator. Courthouse built in 1816, oldest used as such in state (1965). First settlers in area, 1776. Lincoln's grandfather came this part Ky., 1782; parents married in county, 1806. Over.
(Reverse Side)
Washington Co. Contd. - Col. John Hardin, Revolutionary soldier, laid claim in area, 1780. Settled, 1786. On peace mission in Ohio, 1792, murdered by Indians. First Dominican Priory in U.S., 1806, where Jefferson Davis went to school, 1815-16. John Pope, U.S. Senator, 1807-13, came to Springfield, 1820. Governor, Arkansas Terr., 1829-35; Congress, 1837-43. Home and grave in city. Over.
Erected 1965 by Kentucky Historical Society & Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 854.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1792.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 37° 37.893′ N, 85° 15.403′ W. Marker was in Springfield, Kentucky, in Washington County. It was on
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in Kentucky’s The Knobs. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found 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 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Cartwright's Station (approx. 1.9 miles away); Ben Hardin, 1784-1852. ← Grave (approx. 1.9 miles away); Elmwood (approx. 3½ miles away); Morgan's Headquarters (approx. 3.9 miles away); Major General George H. Thomas at Lebanon, Kentucky (approx. 4 miles away); Samuel McElroy and Mary Irvine McElroy (approx. 4.1 miles away); Eminent Theologian (approx. 4.2 miles away); The Lincoln Legacy (approx. 4.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.
More about this marker. Per the KY Historic Marker website, the marker is located at the Washington -Marion County line on KY 55 South of Springfield. Per Google maps the marker is no where in that area as of 2025.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. This page has been viewed 12 times since then. Photo 1. submitted on May 31, 2026, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A closeup photo of the reverse side and a wide view photo of the marker and the surrounding area together in context. • Can you help?
