On Kentucky Route 144, 0.2 miles west of Knottsville St Lawrence Road.
In 1795, James Knott emigrated from Maryland to Cox’s Creek Settlement in Nelson County, Ky., as part of the “League of Catholic Families.” Born in 1797, his son Leonard married Mary M. Drury and moved to Daviess County in 1826. They . . . — — Map (db m47838) HM
On Bolling Heights Lane, 0.1 miles north of Kentucky Road 2116, on the right when traveling north.
Richard Hawes (1772-1829) and wife Clary Walker Hawes (1776-1848) came here 1810 from Va. Their son Richard was Confederate governor of Ky. After husband's death, Clary was licensed to operate Hawesville and Cannelton ferry, 1831. Cemetery long . . . — — Map (db m160194) HM
On U.S. 60, 1.2 miles east of Kelly Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling east.
Site of Riley family homeplace, owners of Josiah Henson, one of the characters on which Harriet Beecher Stowe based her 1852 novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. Henson served as overseer of Amos Riley's farms, 1825-29. On learning owner planned to sell . . . — — Map (db m160204) HM
On Locust Street north of West 7th Street, on the right when traveling north.
This imposing Victorian structure built circa 1860 by Dr. William Doswell Stirman, a successful physician. Received its name because he spent a fortune building it. In 1915, Samuel R. Ewing, civic leader and tobacco farmer, purchased and remodeled . . . — — Map (db m160124) HM
On Airport Road (State Road 2118), on the right when traveling east.
Albert Smith Marks birthplace site, Oct. 16, 1836. Moved to Tennessee at age 19. Served as the 24th governor of that state, 1879-81, following distinguished service in Civil War. Enlisted early in the Confederacy, rising to rank of colonel. Battle . . . — — Map (db m159323) HM
On Road 144 at Yellow Creek Park, on the right when traveling east on Road 144.
Col. Algernon S. Thruston
Lawyer, soldier and farmer. Born in Louisville 1801, died 1864 at Thruston. Went to Texas with company of volunteers in 1836. Commissary General of Purchases (1837) and Quartermaster General (1838) for the Republic . . . — — Map (db m160173) HM
On West Veterans Boulevard at Frederica Street, on the right when traveling west on West Veterans Boulevard.
Site of home of William Smeathers (Bill Smothers), who in 1797-98 made first permanent settlement at Yellow Banks, now Owensboro. Officer in Kentucky's "Corn Stalk" Militia in 1803 and on expedition up the Wabash River against the Indians in the War . . . — — Map (db m160142) HM
Near West 5th Street at Cs-1186-30, on the right when traveling west.
Every African-American family holds in high esteem women whose strength in the face of overwhelming odds provided hope and encouragement. Women have worked to strengthen their communities of family, neighborhood, school and church.
Teaching . . . — — Map (db m159345) HM
On West 10th Street at Frederica Street (Kentucky Road 2831), on the left when traveling east on West 10th Street.
Buffalo herds opened first road in wilderness to present site of Owensboro. Bill Smothers, the pioneer settler of Yellow Banks, followed trail from Rough Creek, near present day Hartford, to Ohio River. Built his cabin at end of road, near here, . . . — — Map (db m159329) HM
On West 3rd Street at Frederica Street, on the right when traveling west on West 3rd Street.
(side 1)
The President, CSA, in 1862, was authorized to confer a Medal of Honour upon one enlisted man of each company for "every signal victory." At first dress-parade, thereafter, the men engaged in the battle chose, by vote, the . . . — — Map (db m119830) HM WM
On West 2nd Street west of St Ann Street, on the left when traveling west.
Twenty-two Kentucky courthouses were burned during Civil War, nineteen in last fifteen months: twelve by Confederates, eight by guerrillas, two by Union accident. See map on reverse side.
Jan. 4, 1865, the courthouse at Owensboro, occupied by . . . — — Map (db m119800) HM
On West 2nd Street east of Frederica Street, on the left when traveling west.
(side 1)
In 1864, several hundred enslaved African American men joined the Union army here. Enlisting in the army meant eventual freedom for the men and their families. Units raised in Daviess Co. took part in important operations at . . . — — Map (db m119826) HM
On St Ann Street south of West 2nd Street, on the left when traveling north.
During World War I approximately 80,000 men enlisted from Kentucky. Of this number 1,747 that answered the call to serve, between April 1917 and November 1918, were from Daviess County. Seventy-one were killed in action and seventy-six others . . . — — Map (db m119828) HM WM
On New Hartford Road (U.S. 231) just south of Spring Bank Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Formed in 1815 out of Ohio County. Named for Col. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss. As US attorney for Ky., he prosecuted Aaron Burr in 1806 for treason, in plotting to seize Spanish territory, a friendly nation; but he did not obtain a conviction. Joined . . . — — Map (db m159320) HM
On West 4th Street at Poplar Street, on the right when traveling east on West 4th Street.
Dr. Clay E. Simpson, Sr., native of Notasulga, Alabama and his wife Mary E. Simpson, native of Fayette County, Kentucky, served the Owensboro community for many years. As a Family Physician, Dr. Simpson made numerous house calls and delivered . . . — — Map (db m160137) HM
On River Road (State Road 331), on the right when traveling north.
Robert Triplett built the first railway in Kentucky, 1826. Coal was moved from Bon Harbor hills to steamboats on the Ohio River. Triplett was first to get coal substituted for wood as fuel on river boats below Louisville. Coal was shipped south, . . . — — Map (db m160127) HM
On East 7th Street at Crittenden Street, on the right when traveling west on East 7th Street.
Wendell H. Ford, Kentucky's 49th Governor, first Owensboro native to become Chief Executive. Born Sept. 8, 1924. Served in U.S Army during World War II and National Guard, 1949-62. Elected National Jaycees President, 1956; International Vice Pres., . . . — — Map (db m159330) HM
On West 4th Street east of Poplar Street, on the left when traveling east.
In 1830, a Baptist church began in a log cabin-house, which was provided for Black worshipers by Philip Thompson. The congregation was first led by Black Baptist Minister Oliver Potts. The Black Baptist Church was founded after the Civil War & in . . . — — Map (db m160131) HM
On West 3rd Street west of St Ann Street, on the right when traveling west.
George Graham Vest
Established Owensboro’s second newspaper, The Gazette, near here in 1852, with Robert S. Triplett, an Owensboro businessman.
Vest was U.S. Senator from Missouri, 1879-1903. Author of world famous “Tribute to a . . . — — Map (db m119847) HM
On State Road 2830, 0.1 miles north of Ellis Smeathers Road (County Road 1091), on the right when traveling north.
About 60,000 acres along Panther Creek and Green River owned by George Mason, author of Va. Bill of Rights and Constitution, 1776. Designed Va. State Seal. Member Continental Congress, 1777, and U.S. Constitutional Convention. A Virginian, friend . . . — — Map (db m160159) HM
On Daviess Street north of East 4th Street, on the right when traveling north.
First Kentuckian to receive "70 Continuous Years of Service Award" from Boy Scouts of America, 1983. Scoutmaster for over 50 years; with Owensboro's oldest troop, 24, from
1949 till death. Among many honors, he received Scoutmaster's Key and Silver . . . — — Map (db m160147) HM
On State Road 405, 0.4 miles north of Wrights Landing Road (State Road 1831), on the left when traveling north.
Revolutionary War Captain. Member, from Madison Co., 1792 and 1799, Ky. Constitutional
Conventions; Ky. House of Rep., 1792-93, and 1796-98; Ky. Senate, 1793-95. Came here in 1812. Cousin of John Clay, father of renowned Ky. statesman Henry Clay, . . . — — Map (db m160191) HM
On West 5th Street at Cs-1186-30, on the right when traveling west on West 5th Street.
This park was formerly known as Douglas Park in honor of Frederick Douglas, slave abolitionist. In 1973, renamed in memory of Joe N. Kendall and Joseph P. Perkins, two contemporary citizens of this community. These men gave many years of unselfish . . . — — Map (db m159342) HM
On State Highway 56 at Hayden Bridge Road (State Highway 279), on the right when traveling west on State Highway 56.
James Madison, 4th U.S. president, and wife, Dolly, owned 2,000 acres along Panther Creek, now Daviess County. Land held by them until sold in smaller acreages, 1832-34. Madison was member of Continental Congress, 1780-83, 86-88 and of Federal . . . — — Map (db m160063) HM
On Frederica Street south of West 2nd Street, on the right when traveling north.
(side 1)
Daviess Co. natives who have received the Medal of Honor:
John J. Given–Corp, Co K, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Died while trying to recover a fallen soldier at Wichita River, Texas, July 12, 1870.
Thomas Cruse- 2nd . . . — — Map (db m119829) HM WM
On West 7th Street at Walnut Street, on the right when traveling west on West 7th Street.
Moneta J. Sleet, Jr.
Born in Owensboro. Sleet was a graduate of Ky. State College and New York Univ. Beginning in 1955, he worked as photojournalist for Jet and Ebony magazines for 41 yrs. During the 1950s-60s, his photos . . . — — Map (db m159338) HM
On West 2nd Street at Frederica Street, on the left when traveling west on West 2nd Street.
This bell, once used to notify the people court was in session, hung in Daviess County's fourth court house from 1876 until the 96-year-old building was demolished in 1964 to make way for a new Temple of Justice. — — Map (db m243590) HM
On West 5th Street at Ewing Court, on the right when traveling west on West 5th Street.
Erected in 1875, this building is the oldest example of Gothic architecture in Western Kentucky. Served as Trinity Episcopal Church, oldest brick church building in Owensboro, until 1964, when it was occupied by The Cliff Hagan Boys Club. The . . . — — Map (db m159333) HM
On Locust Street just south of West 5th Street, on the right when traveling south.
A portion of this property was generously donated to the City by Haley McGinnis & Owensboro Funeral Home in the year 1977.
The combined efforts of the Beautification Committee, the Parks Department and Street Department have retained the . . . — — Map (db m159336) HM
On Woodford Avenue, 0.1 miles north of Herr Avenue, in the median.
This park is dedicated to Peter B. English in honor of his many years of service to the United States Corps of Engineers and to the City of Owensboro. Through his tireless
efforts, the land for this park became a reality. An avid sportsman, . . . — — Map (db m160129) HM
On Bittel Road at Dallas Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Bittel Road.
This park is dedicated to Russell Shifley in honor of his 56 years of service to the City of Owensboro. This man was employed by the City of Owensboro in 1917, and served
as Superintendent of the Sewer and Street Department from 1930-1971. . . . — — Map (db m159322) HM
On Frederica Street (State Road 2831) at Maple Avenue, on the right when traveling south on Frederica Street.
This giant tree, first mentioned for its size in 1883, has been an historic landmark in Daviess County for several centuries. Believed to be 250 or 300 years old, it measures over 100 feet tall, with a circumference of 16 feet. It is probably the . . . — — Map (db m159324) HM
On Griffith Avenue at Mccreary Avenue, on the right when traveling east on Griffith Avenue.
Homesite of Thomas Clay McCreery. Born in 1816. He died in 1890. He was one of Daviess County's most distinguished natives, an accomplished lawyer, orator, and farmer. A presidential elector in 1852, 1856, 1860. United States senator from 1868-71, . . . — — Map (db m159326) HM
Near West 5th Street at Cs-1186-30, on the right when traveling west.
The years after the Civil War saw Owensboro's African-American community grow. The more than 3,000 blacks in Daviess County dwelt mostly in the rural areas in 1860, but by 1900 most lived in Owensboro. The lure of jobs, changes in agriculture, . . . — — Map (db m159355) HM
Near West 5th Street at Cs-1186-30, on the right when traveling west.
The end of slavery in 1865 brought many challenges to Owensboro's African-American population. They struggled to find jobs, establish homes, educate their children, and find their place in the post-war world.
In 1880 a system of schools for . . . — — Map (db m159343) HM
On Frederica Street (State Road 2831) at West 11th Street, on the right when traveling north on Frederica Street.
Built 1905-6, on site of the Louisville, Henderson and St. Louis depot. It represents an agreement between the Louisville, Henderson and St. Louis; the Louisville and Nashville; and the Illinois Central railroads to provide Union Station for . . . — — Map (db m159327) HM
On State Highway 142 at Millers Mill Road (State Highway 762), on the right when traveling north on State Highway 142.
This congregation was organized on Oct. 5, 1825, in log house. New meeting house, on the site of present cemetery, built 1832. Current brick church erected in 1854, with clay from the original site. Six churches have grown from Bethabara: Macedonia, . . . — — Map (db m159289) HM
On U.S. 431 at Sharp Road, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 431.
Sept. 19, 1862, Confederate force occupied Owensboro. USA troops at old Fairgrounds refused demand for surrender. Skirmish followed. Union soldier swam Ohio River to summon help from Indiana Legion. CSA retired to here. Home Guards from Indiana . . . — — Map (db m159290) HM
On Kentucky Route 764 just south of U.S. 231, on the right when traveling north.
Pleasant Point Missionary Baptist Church. Six emancipated slaves formed this congregation in 1871. Three years later it was fully organized: the church erected in 1878. Membership grew as African Americans searched for religious & cultural . . . — — Map (db m159288) HM
