Near Hodgenville in Larue County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Living Off the Land
— Lincoln Family at Knob Creek —
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
1. Living Off the Land Marker
Inscription.
Living Off the Land. . The Lincolns moved to Knob Creek after a title dispute forced them to leave Sinking Spring Farm. Here Thomas Lincoln rented 30 acres of fertile fields, hardly enough land to sustain a family in those times. Thomas and Nancy Lincoln grew corn and pumpkins, raised vegetables that could be eaten fresh in summer and dried to last through the winter, and grew herbs for medicines and dyes., The crops you see here are similar to the ones they planted and are still grown by farmers in this valley today. Farming on the frontier was unpredictable. A hard rain could flood fields that took backbreaking work to plow. A drought could kill an entire harvest. Young Abraham Lincoln helped his parents with farm chores. The daily struggle for survival at Knob Creek shaped the character of the boy who grew up to be president.
The Lincolns moved to Knob Creek after a title dispute forced them to leave Sinking Spring Farm. Here Thomas Lincoln rented 30 acres of fertile fields, hardly enough land to sustain a family in those times. Thomas and Nancy Lincoln grew corn and pumpkins, raised vegetables that could be eaten fresh in summer and dried to last through the winter, and grew herbs for medicines and dyes.
The crops you see here are similar to the ones they planted and are still grown by farmers in this valley today. Farming on the frontier was unpredictable. A hard rain could flood fields that took backbreaking work to plow. A drought could kill an entire harvest. Young Abraham Lincoln helped his parents with farm chores. The daily struggle for survival at Knob Creek shaped the character of the boy who grew up to be president.
Erected by National Park Service Dept. of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Places.
Location. 37° 36.699′ N, 85° 38.319′ W. Marker is near Hodgenville, Kentucky, in Larue County. Marker can be reached from Bardstown Road (U.S. 31E) north of White City Road (Kentucky Route 470), on the left when traveling north. Located behind buildings at the 'Knob
Click or scan to see this page online
Creek Farm' which the Lincoln Family lived. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hodgenville KY 42748, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
3. Replica Cabin
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
4. Crops - - Living Off the Land Marker
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
5. Herbs & Their Uses.
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
6. Between Cabin and Crops
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
7. Marker for a Tree
(Text of sign):
Northern Catalpa
“Soft, weak, and brittle with very good
decay resistance and stability.
Mainly used for fence posts, rails,
beams, and crating. Also good for
turned articles and carving due to soft-
ness and stability. Other uses include
millwork, framing, forms, furniture,
drawer sides, and general purpose
construction.”
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
8. A Northern Catalpa - - Note Un-usual Growth!
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
9. Other View - - Northern Catalpa Tree
Photographed By Courtesy:: Ginger L. Drenning, September 5, 2012
10. Other View - - Replica Cabin
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 4, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 513 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on October 4, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 2. submitted on February 7, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on October 4, 2012, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana.