Local Kentucky Historical Markers

By Mary Casey-Sturk

We’ve all driven by historical markers on our journeys, whether on a road trip or just a trip home, maybe you’ve even stopped to read one or two. Here, we’ll examine four in our community and share more.

The oversight of the Kentucky Historical Marker program is part of the work done by the Kentucky Historical Society (history.ky.gov). Their history dates back nearly 200 years when a dedicated group of Kentuckians wanted to begin to preserve and document the events and people that were mapping out the future of the commonwealth.

In 1836, the Kentucky Historical Society (KHS), was created whose duty it would be “to collect and preserve authentic information and facts connected with the early history of the State.”

Since 1949, the Kentucky Historical Marker program (some 2,400 Markers and counting) has allowed communities across the state to share the sites, events, and personalities that they consider to be important to local, regional, state, or national history. These markers recognize the efforts of many, and several can be found right here in Fort Thomas.

One of the markers most familiar to residents and visitors to Fort Thomas is Marker # 986 “Ft. Thomas Army Post”. Located at the entrance to the much-loved Tower Park, the marker stands as a reminder of the history of the Army Post and General Thomas himself.

Description: Established by Congress, 1887. Constructed at cost of $3,500,000 on about 111 acres, jurisdiction of which was ceded to U.S. by Kentucky Legislature, 1888. Post was designated Ft. Thomas, 1890. First commander was Col. Melville Cochran; first garrison two 6th infantry companies. Later parts of 2, 3, 4, 9, 10th Infantry Regiments were here. Now V.A. Hosp.

(Reverse) Rock of Chickamauga – Gen. George Henry Thomas for whom post was named. Born Va., 1816; West Point graduate. In Indian campaigns and the Mexican War. In the Civil War, from Mill Springs, Ky., Jan. 1862, to Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 1864, he successfully led Federal forces in many principal engagements. Rated one of four top Union generals. Pacific Div. Commander at death, 1870. Over. (1966)

Thomas has a storied military career and was a well-respected Union general who participated in many battles, but it was his work after the Civil War that may be less known. He commanded the Department of the Cumberland in Kentucky and Tennessee (and at times West Virginia and parts of Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama) through 1869. During the Reconstruction period, he acted to protect formerly enslaved people from white abuses. He created military commissions to enforce labor contracts since local courts either didn’t exist anymore or were biased.

Highland United Methodist Church is home to Marker #2323. Placed in 2010, it’s the newest Marker. 314 North Fort Thomas Avenue.

Description: The oldest church congregation in Ft. Thomas. Began in the home of Wm. & Alice Taliaferro in 1830. In 1832, log structure was built for Sunday services & served as first school in the area during the week. 1850-52, frame church building was erected on N. Ft. Thomas Ave. near Holly Lane. In 1900, the present building was built on this site.

(Reverse) From 1900-1915, all Highlands High School baccalaureate & graduation services were held in this church. The first kindergarten in the city met here until it moved to Moyer in 1931. At least 148 men and women from the church served in WWII. After Highlands High School burned in 1962, (the) church housed the 7th & 8th grades for rest of year. Dedicated June 27, 2010.

From services, to weddings, to funerals, the Church has served the community for generations. Many of us drive by this church and perhaps don’t know its long history, it’s certainly worth stopping to learn more and admire the lovely structure of the church itself.

Hon. Henry Stanbery is celebrated on Marker #1059 located between 2144-2146 North Fort Thomas Avenue. Marker # 1059 (1967) is located along the side of the road in a wooded setting with limited access.

Description: Site of his home, 1857 to 1881. Attorney-General of U.S., 1866-68. Resigned to become one of counsel for President Andrew Johnson in impeachment trial by U.S. Senate, 1868. Johnson reappointed him, but Senate refused to confirm. Resumed practice of law, Cincinnati, 1868. First Att. Gen. of Ohio, 1846-51. Member Ohio Const. Conv. of 1850. b. N.Y., 1803. Buried Cin., 1881.

Stanbery (February 20, 1803-June 26, 1881) was an American lawyer from Ohio. His notable work included his service as Ohio’s first attorney general (1846-1851) and later he was the United States Attorney General (1866-1868).

A superior student, the New York City native was raised in Zanesville, Ohio and graduated from Washington College (Washington, PA) in 1819 when he was just 16 years old. He studied law with local attorneys and was admitted to the bar as he reached the minimum age of 21. After serving as Ohio’s Attorney General, he moved to our area. His work as U.S. Attorney General under President Andrew Johnson had many challenges, most notably Johnson’s Impeachment Trial. According to the National Park Service, “the impeachment of President Andrew Johnson was the result of political conflict and the rupture of ideologies in the aftermath of the American Civil War. It arose from uncompromised beliefs and a contest for power in a nation struggling with reunification”.

Stanbery resigned as Attorney General and joined Johnson’s defense team. Johnson was acquitted and Stanbery returned. His eyesight failing from cataracts, he went to New York City for treatment and died there. He is buried in Cincinnati’s Spring Grove Cemetery (section 36, lot 65).

Samuel Woodfill is remembered on Marker #990 at the school named for him, Samuel Woodfill Elementary School, 1025 Alexandria Pike. (1966).

Description: “Outstanding soldier of the AEF,” Gen. Pershing. “The first soldier of America,” Marshall Foch. Given Congressional Medal of Honor, the French Croix de Guerre and Legion of Honor. Alone he destroyed three machine gun nests, killing 19 foe at Cunel, France, on Oct. 12, 1918. Born, Ind., 1883. Campbell County, Ky., farmer. Major, World War II. Interred Arlington Cemetery, 1951.

Woodfill (January 6, 1883-August 10, 1951) was one of the most celebrated American soldiers of the early 10th century. General John Pershing called Woodfill “the most outstanding soldier in World War I.” During an offensive in October 1918, he single-handedly neutralized three German machine gun emplacements while suffering under the effect of mustard gas, and was able to successfully lead his men safely back to the American lines without casualties. It was Pershing who presented the Medal of Honor to Woodfill on February 9, 1919.  

After the war, Woodfill would eventually become an insurance salesman and he was honored to be among the three soldiers chosen to be at the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 1921. Commissioned as a major at the start of World War II, he trained soldiers for two years before he resigned following the death of his wife in 1943. He then retired to a farm near Vevay, Indiana and lived there until his death.

The next time you pass a Marker, stop, and take a look at the history in your own back yard. You might find the information you learn, remarkable.

To learn more about the Markers in our community or those elsewhere around the state, visit history.ky.gov and view the searchable Historical Marker database.

Historic Markers at Tower Park, Samuel Woodfill Elementary School, between 2144-2146 North Fort Thomas Avenue and at Highland United Methodist Church. Photos by Mary Casey-Sturk