Bardstown in Nelson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Successful Surgery

Photographed By Karl Stelly, June 2, 2014

1. Successful Surgery Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The first successful amputation of a leg at the hip joint in US. Done here by Dr. Walter Brashear in 1806 without any precedent to guide him. The patient was a seventeen-year-old boy whose leg had been badly mangled.

Dr. Brashear was born in 1776, came to Kentucky, 1784, and studied medicine under Dr. Frederick Ridgely of Lexington. He died in 1860.

Erected 1969 by The Kentucky Historical Society & The Kentucky Department of Highways. (Marker Number 1282.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Kentucky Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 37° 48.566′ N, 85° 28.028′ W. Marker is in Bardstown, Kentucky, in Nelson County. Marker is on North 3rd Street (U.S. 31E/150), on the right when traveling south. Marker is in the Northwest quadrant of the town square/circle, between North 3rd Street and West Stephen Foster Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North 3rd Street, Bardstown KY 40004, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

this marker. Parc Billom (a few steps from this marker); Benedict Joseph Flaget (a few steps from this marker); Confederates Here (a few steps from this marker); Talbott Tavern (within shouting distance of this marker); County Named, 1784 (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson County World War I, World War II, Korean War, & Vietnam War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Vietnam 1969 Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Nelson Countians who served and Gave All (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bardstown.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2014, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 500 times since then and 35 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on June 10, 2014, by Karl Stelly of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.