Versailles in Woodford County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Hemp in Kentucky / Woodford County Hemp

Hemp in Kentucky (Side One) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Desaulniers, Jr., May 21, 2010

1. Hemp in Kentucky (Side One)

Inscription. Side One Hemp in Kentucky: First crop grown 1775. From 1840 to 1860, Ky. Production largest in U.S. Peak in 1850 was 40,000 tons, value of $5,000,000. Scores of factories made twine, rope, gunny sacks, bags for cotton picking and marketing. State’s largest cash crop until 1915. Market lost to imported jute, freed of tariff. As war measure, hemp grown again during World War II. See over.

Side TwoWoodford County Hemp: One of chief producing counties, crop income reached a yearly high of $125,000 in the 1840s. during these peak years, there were 19 ropewalks, long sheds for spiral winding of hemp fibers. In 1941, Kentucky-Illinois Hemp Co. built a breaking plant at Versailles, with 2,000 acres of hemp under contract, using 4 bindiers and 16 reapers to harvest crop. See over.

Erected 1968 by Kentucky Historical Society - Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1167.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.

Location. 38° 2.962′ N, 84° 42.052′ W. Marker is in Versailles

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, Kentucky, in Woodford County. Marker is at the intersection of Lexington Road (U.S. 60) and Paynes Mill Road, on the right when traveling west on Lexington Road. Marker is next to markers for Calmes Tomb and Buck Pond. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Versailles KY 40383, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Calmes Tomb (here, next to this marker); Buck Pond (here, next to this marker); Huntertown (approx. one mile away); Josephine Henry (approx. 1.4 miles away); Randall Lee Gibson / Jerome Bonaparte Robertson (approx. 1.6 miles away); Woodford County, 1789 / County Named (approx. 1.6 miles away); Woodford County's Civil War Generals (approx. 1.6 miles away); Watkins Tavern (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Versailles.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Franklin County Hemp

Additional commentary.
1. A very similar sign
There is a very similar sign in Nicholasville, Ky. on the Jessamine County Courthouse lawn. It covers all the same categories except it is for Jessamine County.

— Submitted May 26, 2012, by Lee Wilkerson of Livonia, Michigan.

Woodford County Hemp (Side Two) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Desaulniers, Jr., May 21, 2010

2. Woodford County Hemp (Side Two)

Hemp in Kentucky Marker (left) with Buck Pond Marker (center) and Calmes Tomb Marker (right) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By John Desaulniers, Jr., May 21, 2010

3. Hemp in Kentucky Marker (left) with Buck Pond Marker (center) and Calmes Tomb Marker (right)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 24, 2010, by John Desaulniers, Jr. of Mingo, Iowa. This page has been viewed 1,401 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 24, 2010, by John Desaulniers, Jr. of Mingo, Iowa. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.