Near Hodgenville in Larue County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
The Lincoln Tavern
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Photographed by Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
1. The Lincoln Tavern Marker
Hattie Howell Howard, born about ten miles from here in 1886, grew up hearing local lore about Abraham Lincoln. After her brother James opened the Nancy Lincoln Inn next to Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hattie looked for her own opportunity to honor the sixteenth president.
In 1928 she and her husband Chester purchased the Knob Creek Farm. The Howards hoped to preserve the land and use the site to share the story of Lincolns early years in Kentucky. To serve the growing number of tourists, they built the Lincoln Tavern you see here. The tavern opened for business in 1933. Visitors enjoyed food and refreshments from the taverns kitchen and stopped to buy gas from the pumps outside. There was also live music and dancing in the evenings. The Howards built the tavern from rough hewn logs using trees found on the property, just as frontier settlers like Thomas and Nancy Lincoln might have done.
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The Lincoln Tavern and Knob Creek site were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 and became part of the National Park Service in 2001.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places
this page online
Location. 37° 36.676′ N, 85° 38.296′ W. Marker is near Hodgenville, Kentucky, in Larue County. It can be reached from Bardstown Road (U.S. 31E) north of White City Road (Kentucky Route 470), on the left when traveling north. Marker is outside the Visitors Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hodgenville KY 42748, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Slavery in the Valley (here, next to this marker); My earliest recollection. . .is of the Knob Creek place (a few steps from this marker); The Lincolns at Knob Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Lincoln Knob Creek Farm (within shouting distance of this marker); Living Off the Land (within shouting distance of this marker); Down by Knob Creek (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Abraham Lincoln's First School (approx. 2.1 miles away); Lincoln's Playmate (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hodgenville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Lincoln Knob Creek Farm (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
Also see . . .
Photographed by Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
2. The Lincoln Tavern
1. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (National Park Service). (Submitted on October 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
2. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park on Wikipedia. (Submitted on October 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 29, 2025
3. The Lincoln Tavern Marker
Wide view of marker (left side of the building)
Courtesy:: Kentucky Historical Society
4. Interior of Lincoln Tavern
Courtesy:: Kentucky Historical Society
5. Visitors at the Lincoln Tavern
Photographed by Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
6. National Register of Historic Places
Photographed by Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
7. Information - Welcome Center
Photographed by Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
8. Posted Information
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 1,154 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 4, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 3. submitted on October 9, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on October 4, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.
