Munfordville in Hart County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Munfordville in the Civil War

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

1. Munfordville in the Civil War Marker

Inscription. The small, unassuming county-seat village of Munfordville, founded on an old buffalo crossing and home to a well-known tavern, could claim pride of place in 1860 as the spot where the L&N Railroad crossed the Green River, over what whas then the longest iron bridge in the world. But one year later that asset became a liability - a prize contested by both armies in the Civil War. Within the space of five years, the town saw three separate battles, one of them perhaps the most strategically important in the struggle for Kentucky; a war-long occupation by Union forces that at its height numbered 40,000; the rise of notorious Confederate raider John Hunt Morgan; a town-sized garrison of African-American soldiers and havens on the Underground Railroad; a two home-grown generals, one for each side in the conflict.

The remnants of that time are still visible on the landscape - the railroad bridge still spans Green River on it original pilings. Antebellum architecture still stands in the form of the George Wood House, the Robert and Richard Munford Homes, the F.A. Smith House, the Munfordville Presbyterian Church, the old Village

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School, and the Old Munford Inn. Across the river, the Battle for the Bridge Historic Preserve protects the battlefields, which a soldier of that conflict would still recognize.

But the most enduring echo of Munfordville's war years is the faces of it people, many of whom are descended from those who endured the struggle that shaped America. Their eyes reflect a community one strengthened by adversity, and now looking toward the future.

Battle of Rowlett's Station, December 17, 1861
Battle and Siege of Munfordville, September 14-17, 1862
Skirmish of Woodsonville, September 20-21, 1862

Erected by City of Munfordville in cooperation with Battle fo the Bridge Historic Preserve.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Bridges & Viaducts • Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is September 14, 1950.

Location. 37° 16.293′ N, 85° 53.395′ W. Marker is in Munfordville, Kentucky, in Hart County. It is at the intersection of Dixie Highway / Main Street (U.S. 31W) and South Street, on the left when traveling south on Dixie Highway / Main Street. Located at

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

2. Munfordville in the Civil War Marker

the southwest corner of the Hart County courthouse lawn. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Munfordville KY 42765, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Mammoth Cave Country

and in the Pennyroyal 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: Civil War Monument (here, next to this marker); Hart County One-Room Schools (a few steps from this marker); A Remarkable Kentucky Family (a few steps from this marker); Hart County (within shouting distance of this marker); Remembering the Sacrifices of War (within shouting distance of this marker); Hart County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Hart County, 1819 (within shouting distance of this marker); William Boone's Grave (within shouting distance of this marker).

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

3. Munfordville in the Civil War Marker

The cannon is a replica.

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Munfordville.

Munfordville Civil War Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

4. Munfordville Civil War Monument

This monument is dedicated to those how lived, loved, worked, and fought here during the American Civil War, and especially to those who died here, far from home. May they find peace.

Robert Munford House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

5. Robert Munford House

Also described as the J.T.S. and Elizabeth Brown House. Circa 1828.

The Village School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

6. The Village School

Circa 1833

F.A. (Francis Asberry) Smith House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

7. F.A. (Francis Asberry) Smith House

Circa 1835

Thomas Munford House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

8. Thomas Munford House

Circa 1823

Munfordville Presbyterian Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

9. Munfordville Presbyterian Church

circa 1829.

Old Munford Inn image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

10. Old Munford Inn

Circa 1810

George Wood House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019

11. George Wood House

Circa 1834

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019

12. F.A. (Francis Asberry) Smith House

Circa 1835

Elijah & Ermine Embry Creel House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, January 25, 2011

13. Elijah & Ermine Embry Creel House

Not listed on the marker, but another antebellum structure, circa 1810.

Richard Munford House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bradley Owen, October 12, 2019

14. Richard Munford House

Circa 1830, 101 South West Street. Occupied by Brigadier General R.W. Johnson during the Civil War.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 2,157 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on January 31, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 11, 12. submitted on January 20, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. 13. submitted on January 31, 2011, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. 14. submitted on January 27, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.