Kenton in Hardin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Kenton

Home of Lt. Jacob Parrot

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2014

1. Kenton: Home of Lt. Jacob Parrot Marker

Inscription. Home of
Lt. Jacob Parrot
First
Congressional
Medal of Honor
winner

Erected by Ohio Historical Markers Committee.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Medal of Honor Recipients, and the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series lists.

Location. 40° 38.882′ N, 83° 36.488′ W. Marker is in Kenton, Ohio, in Hardin County. It is at the intersection of West Columbus Street (Ohio Route 67) and Main Street ( Route 53), on the right when traveling east on West Columbus Street. Marker is located beside the sidewalk at the northeast corner of the Hardin County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Courthouse Square, Kenton OH 43326, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Ohio’s Till Plains.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Kenton (here, next to this marker); "The Liberty Garden" (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hardin County Courthouse (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort McArthur (about 400 feet away); Frank Bondi (about 600 feet away); Gene Autry (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kenton.

Also see . . .
1. First Medal of Honor Recipient Private Jacob Parrott. Parrott was born in Ohio in 1843. At the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, he joined the US Army with the 33rd Ohio Infantry. He served throughout the war, reaching the rank of first lieutenant. In April of 1862, Parrott was one of 22 men to volunteer for a dangerous raid of a Confederate railway line

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2014

2. Kenton: Home of Lt. Jacob Parrot Marker

(Hardin County Courthouse in background)

that has been remembered in history as the Great Locomotive Chase. (Submitted on August 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Jacob Parrott. One of the youngest of the raiders, 19-year old Parrott was severely beaten after his capture in an interrogation. Despite his severe treatment, he remained silent. After the successful escape of 6 raiders, they became first to receive the Medal of Honor. Parrot was first of those 6, making his award the FIRST presentation in history. (Submitted on August 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Jacob Parrott (Wikipedia). Parrott returned to Kenton, Ohio after the war and remained a cabinet maker and operated a stone quarry south of Kenton, Ohio. Parrott suffered a heart attack and died while walking home from the county courthouse in Kenton, Ohio. (Submitted on August 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Additional commentary.
1. 'Recipients' of the MOH, not 'winning'.
Calling it "winning" the Medal of Honor is incorrect. Recipients and military organizations emphasize that the medal is not a prize

Kenton Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Doda, July 11, 2026

3. Kenton Marker

to be won, but a solemn decoration awarded for extreme bravery and sacrifice above and beyond the call of duty. Additionally, the official name is simply the "Medal of Honor," though it is often colloquially called the "Congressional Medal of Honor" because it is presented in the name of Congress.

— Submitted July 29, 2026.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 30, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 23, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 704 times since then and 61 times this year. Last updated on July 27, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 24, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 3. submitted on July 21, 2026, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.