Winchester in Clark County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Gov. James Clark Judicial Center

Photographed by Frank Profitt, January 4, 2021

1. Gov. James Clark Judicial Center Marker

Inscription. On this site, John Ward, a trustee for the new town of Winchester, operated a tavern in the early 1800s. The property later became the Sachett Academy for girls. In 1845 the First Christian Church erected a brick church which burned during the winter of 1907-08. The lot was purchased by the Federal Government and the present structure completed in 1912. It served as a United States Post Office until 1988. After extensive renovation by the county, including construction of an addition on the east side, the building was returned to service in 1991.

The building is named in honor of Gov. James Clark in recognition of his distinguished service as a jurist. As a circuit judge, Clark declared Kentucky’s replevin law unconstitutional on May 15, 1822, ensuring fiscal responsibility in Kentucky and requiring that legal debts be paid.

In addition to service as circuit judge, Clark, who opened a law office in Winchester in 1798, served two terms in the Kentucky House, two years as a judge of the Kentucky Court of Appeals, five terms in Congress, and in 1832 was elected to the Kentucky Senate, and chosen its speaker in 1835.

Elected Kentucky’s 12th governor in 1836, Clark died Aug 27, 1839 in office in Frankfort. He is buried near his beloved Holly Rood, the home he constructed in 1814.

Topics. This historical marker is

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listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1792.

Location. 37° 59.583′ N, 84° 10.65′ W. Marker is in Winchester, Kentucky, in Clark County. It is on Cleveland Avenue west of South Main Street (U.S. 60), on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Winchester KY 40391, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Bluegrass Region

and in Greater Lexington Area.

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: County Named 1793 (here, next to this marker); "Morgan's Men" Here (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named "Morgan's Men" Here (here, next to this marker); Clark County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Clark County War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Downtown Commercial District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Pastime Theater Disaster (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winchester.

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 20, 2013

2. Gov. James Clark Judicial Center Marker

Gov. James Clark Judicial Center image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 23, 2022

3. Gov. James Clark Judicial Center

Credits. This page was last revised on July 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 742 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 4, 2021, by Frank Profitt of Georgetown, Kentucky. 2. submitted on August 16, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 3. submitted on July 25, 2022, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.