| County Introduction |
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| Madison county was established in 1786 and named after James Madison (1751-1836), member of the Constitutional Convention and U.S. President. The county seat is Richmond. |
| County Origins |
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| Madison County, Virginia (later Kentucky) was formed from Lincoln County, Virginia. It was the 6th county formed and was created on 1 Aug 1785. |
| County Lines Redrawn |
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| In 1796, a part of Madison County was used to form Garrard County. |
| In 1806, a part of Madison County was used to form Clay County. |
| In 1808, a part of Madison County was used to form Estill County. |
| In 1810, a part of Madison County was used to form Rockcastle County. |
| In 1858, a part of Madison County was used to form Jackson County. |
Roadside Historical Markers
Roadside historical markers introduce the history of each Kentucky Highlands County. These markers provide interesting facts about many important events, people and places throughout the Highlands.
| Marker Title | Marker Location | Marker Information |
|---|---|---|
| Twitty's or Little Fort | Three quarter-miles west (S. of Richmond, US 25, 421 | Site of the first fort in Kentucky. Built March 1775 by Daniel Boone and party. Named for William Twitty, killed by Indians and buried by his slave Sam, near the fort. |
| Christopher (Kit) Carson | Richmond, Tate's Creek Rd. [KY 169] | Famous hunter, soldier and scout born near here. Carson (1809-1868) grew up in Mo.; began scouting career in Taos, N.M., at age 17. Won renown in piloting Fremont's Western expeditions; served in Mexican War. Appointed Indian agent, 1853, he was peacemaker and counselor. In Civil War, breveted brig. gen., U.S.A. Buried in Taos. Carson City, Nev., named for him. |
| Civil War Action | Big Hill, US 421 | Aug. 23, 1862, Col. Scott's La. cavalry, of Gen. Kirby Smith's invading army from Tenn., routed Col. Metcalfe and Union troops. Approaching Richmond as USA army arrived, Scott went back to Camp Wildcat, then joined Smith in Richmond victory, Aug. 30, 1862. Mar. 1864, Gen. Grant on way to take command of all US armies stopped at house south of here. |
| Lion of White Hall | 7 mi. N. of Richmond, Jct. US 25 & KY 627 | West of here is White Hall, home of Cassius M. Clay (1810-1903). For a half century, Clay was a "firebrand" in American life. Fearless abolitionist, publisher of anti-slavery paper, The True American, captain in the Mexican War, legislator and Minister to Russia. When Ft. Sumter fell, he organized civilian guard for U.S. Capitol until army could protect. |
| For Mountain Youth | College Campus, Berea, US 25 | Berea College, founded 1855 by John G. Fee with the support of Cassius Marcellus Clay, in a one-room school built by the community. Its constitution, 1858, made it Christian, non-sectarian, anti-slavery. Compelled to close 1859 by pro-slavery factions, reopened 1865. Dedicated to the service of mountain areas, Berea is an historic monument to equality. |
| Big Hill Skirmish | N. of US 421, near Jct. of Madison, Jackson & Rockcastle Counties | Aug. 23, 1862, 650 cavalry of Gen. E. Kirby Smith's invading CSA army routed small Federal force under Col. Leonidas Metcalfe here on way to seize Ky., cooperating with CSA army under Gen. Braxton Bragg. Central Ky. captured, but plans to take Cincinnati and Louisville failed. CSA retired from Kentucky after Battle of Perryville, October 8, 1862. |
| County Named, 1786 | Richmond, Courthouse lawn, US 25, 421 | For James Madison, Virginia patriot whose political foresight led to the formation of many of our basic democratic principles. He was a member of Virginia's Constitutional Convention and her First Assembly, 1776. He was also influential in framing the Constitution of the United States and was 1 of 39 to sign it. He became the fourth US President, 1809-17. See over. |
| Richmond Prelude | US 421, 1.2 mi. S. of Jct. US 25 at Terrill | Confederates in Tennessee under Gen. E. Kirby Smith planned an invasion of the Blue Grass area. Finding Cumberland Gap protected, they entered through Rogers' Gap, heading for Lexington. US Gen. William Nelson sent Gens. M. D. Manson and Charles Cruft to oppose the invasion. The 2 armies, US 7,000, CSA 5,000, confronted each other 6 mi. below Richmond. See over. |
| Madison Hemp and Flax Co. | 5.4 mi. W. of Eastern By-pass in Richmond, KY 52 at Silver Creek Bridge | Began operations here on Silver Creek in 1806. The machinery for spinning hemp and flax was run by water power. In 1808, received permission from the legislature to incorporate and sell stock. Factory produced thread which was sold or used here for weaving. One hundred and six spindles were in operation, each capable of spinning daily 1/2 lb. thread suitable for linen. Over. |
| Valley View Ferry | 12 mi. N. of Richmond at Ky. River, KY 169 | The oldest continuous business of record in Ky. On land acquired by John Craig in 1780 through a military warrant, the Virginia Assembly granted a perpetual and irrevocable franchise to establish ferry in 1785. Ferry is presently named for the location in picturesque Valley View community. Presented by Claude C. Howard and Family. Owners since 1950. |
| Daniel Boone's Trace | Northbound rest area on I-75 | Two miles east is location of the trail blazed in 1775 by Daniel Boone, who was then an agent for the Transylvania Co. This famous road was used by thousands of settlers traveling to Kentucky. Boone's Trace entered Ky. at Cumberland Gap, crossed the Cumberland River at Pineville, ran northwest past London, and ended at the fort at Boonesborough on the Ky. River. |
| Fort Boonesborough | At Fort, Boonesborough, KY 388 | Boonesborough, "Capital of the Colony of Transylvania," was setted April, 1775, by Daniel Boone as the first fortified settlement in Kentucky. Near the fort under the "Divine Elm Tree" in May, 1775, Colonel Richard Henderson held the first legislative assembly of frontier settlers of Harrodsburg, St. Asaph, Boonesborough and Boiling Springs settlements. |
| Cassius Marcellus Clay | Entrance to Richmond Cemetery, US 25 & KY 52 | Buried in this cemetery is Cassius Marcellus Clay. As a result of his diplomacy in Russia, friendship between the two powers reached its highest peak. This helped prevent intervention of England and France during Civil War and provided an atmosphere which made possible purchase of Alaska, 1867. |
| Home of Capt. Nathaniel Hart | Approx. 1 mi. S. of Main Entrance to Ft. Boonesborough State Park, KY 388 | This old log house was built by Captain Nathaniel Hart, one of the proprietors of Transylvania Company. Hart settled near this spot in 1779 and named his settlement "White Oak Springs." He was joined here by some Dutch families from Pennsylvania. This structure is the oldest house still standing in Madison County. Presented by Society of Boonesborough. |
| First Ferry in Kentucky | Approx. 500 ft. N. of Main Entrance to Ft. Boonesborough State Park, KY 388 | License for first ferry established in state, Oct. 1779, was granted to Col. Richard Callaway by the Virginia legislature. The fare for a man or a horse was three shillings (50 cents). Ferry operated until 1931, when the present bridge was constructed. Its last owner was Colonel David J. Williams. Ferry road remains nearby. Presented by Society of Boonesborough. |
| Sycamore Hollow | Ft. Boonesborough State Park near picnic shelter, off KY 388 | The area surrounding this marker was known as "Sycamore Hollow." Daniel Boone and his small group came here ca. April 1, 1775, and began construction of rough log huts. When Col. Richard Henderson arrived on April 20, 1775, fear of flooding caused him to have the location of the fort moved 300 yards to higher ground. Presented by Society of Boonesborough. |
| Divine Elm | Ft. Boonesborough State Park near camping area, off KY 388 | Near this site, close to the walls of the fort, stood the "Divine Elm," a majestic tree, under whose boughs 100 persons could be seated. The old tree served as both council chamber and church in the development of this state. On May 23, 1775, it was site of the first legislative session held in Kentucky, presided over by Colonel Richard Henderson. |
| Grave of Hancock Taylor | Approx. 1 mi. W. of Richmond, KY 52 | On Taylor's fork of Silver Creek, .7 mi. east, is burial place of Hancock Taylor. This pioneer was at Falls of Ohio in 1769 enroute to New Orleans and surveying in Ky. by 1773. A deputy surveyor under Wm. Preston, he was near mouth of Ky. River when shot by Indians in July 1774. Taylor rejoined party, and these companions brought him just south of Richmond, where he died. |
| Church of Christ, Union | In front of the Church, across from Boone Tavern Hotel, Berea, KY 21 | Founded 1853 by the Rev. John G. Fee of Bracken County on the invitation of local citizens and Cassius M. Clay, who projected an antislavery community here. Open in full equality to all races and nonsectarian, the church had a leading part in establishment of Berea College, 1855, and in cause of racial equality in this area. Presented by Congregation. |
| Laura Clay (1849-1941) | 9 mi. N. of Richmond at White Hall, off US 25 | Woman's rights leader, born here, was pres. of Ky. Equal Rights Assn. 1888-1912. Daughter of Cassius M. Clay, Laura won coeducational, property, and joint guardianship rights for Ky. women and held key positions in National American Woman Suffrage Assn. Her associates included Susan B. Anthony. Woman suffrage gained by 19th Amendment, 1920. Laura Clay buried Lexington. |
| Civil War Field Hospital | Approx. 4 mi. S. of Richmond, US 421 | Built in 1852, this building was adjacent to location of the Battle of Richmond, August 29-30, 1862, and became field hospital for Gen. Wm. Nelson's 1st and 2nd brigades, USA. Mortality was high, and about forty Union soldiers were buried in mass grave near church. Reinterred in Camp Nelson National Cem., 1868. After war, building again served as Mt. Zion Christian Church. Over. |
| Gov. James B. McCreary | 527 W. Main St., Richmond | This was home of James McCreary, twice gov. of Ky., 1875-79 and 1911-15. He was only governor to serve at both capitols and live as chief executive in both governor's mansions. McCreary served with South in Civil War, then in the state legislature, 1869-75. Later, as member of U.S. House and Senate, he aided in obtaining the Federal Building, now Richmond City Hall. |
| Site of Barnes Mill | Barnes Mill Rd., approx. 8 mi. from Richmond | Here a mill operated continuously by same family for over one hundred years. Elias Barnes, Sr., a Rev. War soldier, built mill on Silver Creek by 1796. It passed to Elias, Jr., a blacksmith, and then to his son James, a captain in the Mexican War. Other family members operated Barnes Mill until ca. 1913. Barnes Mill Pike is all that remains. Presented by Mrs. Jamie Bronston Long. |
| Frances E. Beauchamp (1857-1923) | Presbyterian Church, Main St., Richmond | This Madison Co. native spearheaded the antiliquor crusade in Ky. and was a leading figure in temperance movement nationwide. A protegee of famed Frances E. Willard, Beauchamp lectured on dry cause throughout the country. Among other causes she championed were prison reform and woman suffrage. See over. |
| Merritt Jones/Wayside Tavern | 16 mi. S. of Richmond; 61/2 mi. SE of Berea, US 421 | Down this lane was a log tavern and overnight stop on the Old State Road from Cumberland Gap to Lexington by 1830s. The older half of building dates back to ca. 1800. During Civil War, Jones Tavern was held alternately by Confederate and Union forces. In Jan. 1864, Gen. U.S. Grant and staff stayed overnight on their way from east Tennessee to Lexington. Over. |
| White Oak Pond Church | Richmond, 1238 Barnes Mill Rd. | Original log church built here by 1790 became worship and community center for settlement of Milford, first county seat. Named for early minister J. R. Pond, church joined Tates Creek Baptist Assoc. in 1802. In the Civil War, J. R. Pond's nephew, Lt. Col. John Griffin Pond, fought for the Union, then later led forces against Ku Klux Klan. Presented by C.Y.F. Youth in memory of Bill Whitaker, Jr. |
| Medal of Honor Winners | Richmond, Cem. Entrance, Main St. | Pvt. William M. Harris and Pvt. Thomas W. Stivers were born in 1850 in Madison Co., Ky. Pvt. George D. Scott was born 1850 in Garrard Co., Ky. These three individuals joined Capt. Thomas B. Weir's Co. D, 7th U.S. Cavalry. They served in the Battle of Little Big Horn, Montana, under the command of General George Armstrong Custer. |
| Site of Boyhood Home of Red Foley | Berea, KY 595 and Menelaus Rd. | Born Clyde Julian Foley, June 17, 1910; nicknamed "Red" for his red hair. Recuited by Chicago's WLS Radio Station to perform on Barn Dance, 1931, renamed National Barn Dance and broadcast on NBC, 1933. Foley helped found Renfro Valley Barn Dance, 1938. Hosted Grand Ole Opry's "Prince Albert Show," 1946-53; ABC's "Ozark Jubilee," 1955-60. |
| Historical Items For Sale |
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