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Historical
Timeline
from 1783 to the Recent Past
 The following links are provided to
connect you with transcripts of historical texts, sketches,
and outlines which focus on the local history of Cynthiana and Harrison County,
including chapters from the Collins histories of 1847 and 1874 which describe
the county, as well as full transcripts of the Harrison County chapters of W.H.
Perrin's History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Couties, Kentucky, Lucinda Rogers Boyd's 1894 volume entitled Chronicles of Cynthiana,
and last but not least, George D. Slade's Railroads in Harrison County,
Kentucky.
Links are also provided to subsites of
HarrisonCountyKy.US, including pages devoted to
Harrison County's Civil War and World War I experiences, just to mention a
couple. The 1877 landownership map of Harrison County published by D.G.
Beers is a very important document to those researching a family history in
the county and images are only available online at
HarrisonCountyKy.US.
Original articles are included here as well, including
texts of articles drawn from the pages of the Harrison County Historical
Society's monthly, the Harrison Heritage News (See sidebar).
Another timeline of local history,
Cynthiana-Harrison
County Through The Years, is online at the web pages of the
Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum. Click on the link to find out more!
Links to more than 200 years of Harrison County history are
presented below, so don't hesitate, start clicking now to begin your trip
through time!
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Harrison
Heritage
News
If you haven't seen them before or just want to
continue reading the fine articles by local historians George Slade, Bill
Penn, Harold Slade, and other authors & experts, or if you want to learn
all about the other historical happenings of Harrison County, this is the
place to be!
Archived issues of the Harrison County Historical
Society's monthly newsletter from early 2001 to 2006 are now
available at this website. Just click on this link,
Harrison Heritage News,
to begin your trek back in time!
To receive your own hard-copy edition in your mailbox
every month, all you have to do is become a member of the Harrison County
Historical Society. Dues are only $12 per year (Jan. thru to Dec.).
Write to:
Harrison County
Historical Society
PO Box 411
Cynthiana, KY 41031
or e-mail:
Billy Fowler
(billyfowler@kymail.com)
President, Harrison County Historical Society
William A. Penn
(pennwma@aol.com)
Editor, Harrison Heritage News
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Harrison County Time Starts in . . .
1783 ~ Daniel Boone leaves his mark in Harrison
County and all over Kentucky and its history. Visit this page to see what
impact he had on Harrison County.
1793 ~
View the
birth certificate of Harrison County, Kentucky and read the law
which gave birth to the 17th county. Be sure to check the county's
vital statistics, read about
how
the county got its name and
how
its communities came by their names, and look at records which
document the
growth of the county over time.
1825
~ The oldest recorded marriage of African Americans
in Harrison County,
free or slave, for which a date is provided in the Harrison County Court Clerk's records, is that of Jarrard & Mint (No surnames), which took place on
Feb. 22, 1825. They got
their license to marry just the week before, on Valentine's Day.
While marriage records are some
of the earliest recorded documents to be found in the Harrison County Court
Clerk's Office, only a very few of those recorded before the Civil War are
for African Americans. Whether you just want to read more about antebellum
African American Marriage Records or want to begin researching a family
tree, more information than you ever thought possible on the subject of
African American marriages in Harrison County can be found by clicking the
link above.
1847 ~
Lewis Collins'
History of Kentucky is published & Harrison County rates its
own chapter.
1852-55 ~ T.S. Hawkins writes about his early life and education in
antebellum Harrison County in Recollections of a Busy Life.
1854
~ The railroad arrives in Harrison County! Read all about it in
George D. Slade's fine history of railroading in Harrison County.
1862
~ Read reports of Confederate
General John Hunt Morgan's two raids on Cynthiana, Kentucky in 1862 & '64, as
well as some brief accounts of Harrison County's experiences during the Civil
War. Also, follow links to sites devoted to heritage trails which follow
the footsteps of the 'Rebel Raider' through Kentucky, Indiana, & Ohio, links
to information about battle reenactments, and to "Morgan's Men."
1864 ~
Morgan's Raiders come back for a second tour.
1874 ~
Lewis Collins'
History of Kentucky is published & Harrison County rates its
own chapter.
1877
~ D.G. Beers & Co.,
not DeBeers, published Map of Harrison County, Kentucky over 125 years ago, but it is still a little
gem of a record to a genealogist. Find the lands of your ancestor using
this rather unique genealogical tool, a cadastral (landownership) map, which
pinpoints the residences of landowners and
includes detailed maps of several communities.
1882
~ History
of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison & Nicholas Counties, Kentucky is
published. It has served as a common reference for the history of
the county since its initial publication. Historians from the 1920s
such as Cynthiana's John Cromwell to the late George Slade often used this
history as a ready reference.
1884 ~ "The Colemansville Cyclone"
strikes at northwestern Harrison County. Read all about the tornado
which ravaged
the northwestern communities of Colemansville, Eureka, & Conrey in the early
spring of 1884.
1893
~ Lewis Cass
Woolery (1858-1900) writes a biography of his brother, William Henry Woolery,
entitled The Life and Addresses of W.H. Woolery, LL.D., Third President of Bethany College. Although a large portion of the book is about his brother's
studies and career at Bethany
College, a good
portion of the early chapters was devoted to their seemingly idyllic life
growing up in and around the vicinity of Antioch Mills.
1894 ~
Chronicles of Cynthiana by Lucinda Boyd is published. It was
a small volume with a big chunk
of history, a little bit of genealogy, sprinkled with fancy and some
social commentary. Learn more about the author and read all
twenty-three chapters of this interesting book.
1896 ~ In June, 1896
The
Cynthiana Democrat published a 24-page "Special Edition," an
issue chock-full of
photographs of Cynthiana and its business establishments, as well as
biographical sketches of its businessmen, government, and church leaders and
descriptions of its government, school, and church facilities. It is a
"must-see" for anyone interested in life in
Cynthiana and the county as it appeared almost exactly a century ago.
1905 ~ On November 11, 1905 the Log Cabin Printery
of Cynthiana, Kentucky published a "Souvenir Supplement"
of The Cynthiana Log Cabin, a 32-page edition chock-full of
photographs of Cynthiana and its business establishments, as well as
biographical sketches of its businessmen, government, and church leaders and
descriptions of its government, school, and church facilities. A page
was also given over to Harrison County's second largest community, the
"city" of Berry. It is a "must-see" for anyone interested in life in
Cynthiana and the county as it appeared almost exactly a century ago.
1917
~ Harrison
County, Kentucky goes to World War I. Harrison County was not
lacking for volunteers when Uncle Sam put out the call to go over there.
See the list of Harrison Countians who served during The Great War and
learn more about their participation in the war effort.
 1939
~ Take a
road trip thru Cynthiana & Harrison County, Kentucky and see the sights
of Harrison County before the onset of World War II
(Pages 246-261
of 'Kentucky - A Guide to the Bluegrass State', New York: Harcourt,
Brace, & Co., 1939; the pages referring to Cynthiana & Harrison
County are on pages
251-252.)
1941 ~ Children of the World War I generation, great-grandchildren of
Civil War veterans and descendants of the Revolutionary War soldiers who first
settled in Harrison County rallied round the flag as the nation went to war
after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Among them was Benjamin
Whiteker of Sunrise. Click on the link to read his story and more about
World War II and Harrison County.
1993
~ See if
anyone you know got their image in 1993's Pictorial History of Harrison
County. This family photo album of the historical places and
events of the county was published in 1993 to commemorate the county's
Bicentennial in that year. Included in the original book were class
photos, school pictures, scenes of bygone days, some sad faces, but mostly
happy ones. The book is no longer in print, but you may be able to
find one in a library near you.
Today ~ Visit the Cynthiana Democrat online to see what
is happening in the county this week.
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Researching
the History of
Kentucky and
Harrison County
The following is a brief list of facilities which are
must-sees in researching any aspect of Harrison County history or genealogy.
Be sure to call or write for the latest times, as opening hours can vary by
season.
Kentucky
Kentucky Historical Society
100 W. Broadway
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-1792
(877) 444-7867
www.history.ky.gov
Library
& Reading Room Hours: Tues.-Sat.: 10-4
Kentucky Department of Libraries & Archives
300 Coffee Tree Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
(502) 564-8300
www.kdla.ky.gov
Library Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 8-4
Archives Research Room Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 10-4
Filson Club Historical Society
1310 South Third Street
Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 635-5083
www.filsonhistorical.org
Library Hours: Mon.-Fri.: 9-5; Sat.: 9-12
Harrison County
Cynthiana-Harrison County Public Library
104 North Main Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031
(859) 234-4881
www.cynthianalibrary.org
Library Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 9-7; Fri.:
9-6; Sat.: 9-5
Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum
Street Address:
124 South Walnut Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 411
Cynthiana, KY 41031
Contacts:
Harold Slade
(859) 234-5835
Martha Barnes
(859) 234-1053
Hours: Fri.-Sat.: 9-5, by appointment, or by
chance!
In the Region
These libraries offer good regional coverage of the Greater
Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region.
Kenton County Public Library, Main Branch
(aka Mary Ann Mongan
Library)
502 Scott Boulevard (on
the corner of 5th and Scott)
Covington, KY 41011
Phone: (859) 962-4060
www.kenton.lib.ky.us/
Library Hours: Mon.-Thurs.: 9-9; Fri.:
9-6; Sat.: 10-5; Sun. 1-5
Public Library of Cincinnati-Hamilton County
800 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202-2009
Phone: (513) 369-6900
www.cincinnatilibrary.org/
Library Hours: Mon.-Wed.: 9-9; Thurs. - Sat.:
9-6; Sun.: 1-5
Bourbon County was the mother of Harrison County and the
following libraries are especially useful in researching the early history of
the area:
Paris-Bourbon County Public Library
701 High Street
Paris, KY 40361
Phone: (850) 987-4419
bourbonlibrary.org/
Library Hours: Mon., Wed., Fri.: 9:30-5:30;
Tues., Thurs.: 9:30-8:00; Sat.: 9:30-3:00
John Fox, Jr. Genealogiical Library
Duncan Tavern Historic Center
323 High Street
Paris, KY 40361
Phone: (859) 987-1786
www.kentuckydar.org/
johnfoxjrlibrary/
Hours: Tues.-Sat.: 10-12, 1-4
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History on the Hoof
Historic Sites & Signs of Harrison County
While the staff of Cynthiana-Harrison County Museum likes
to think of it
as THE place to be when it comes to experiencing the treasures of Harrison
County's past, there are many other sites to see in the county which are worthy of a
visit. Quite a few are within walking distance of the museum, but for others you
will have to "hoof it" for more than just a little.
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Kentucky Historical Markers
The historic past of the county has been commemorated
and documented by numerous roadside markers to be found
all around the county and more than half are within Cynthiana's city limits.
To find the markers visit the
Kentucky Historical Marker Database for Harrison County
at the website of the Kentucky Historical Society. Read all about Harrison
County's markers and mark their positions on your maps so that you visit them in
person to see where history actually happened.
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The National Register of Historic
Places
If signage isn't your thing, you might be interested in checking out the
following sites. The county has achieved a listing for twenty-five historic
homes and sites on the National Register of Historic Places, of which
the Handy
House is only the most recent addition.
The list below will be updated with addresses and their
current status in the near future.
You can click on the links to see where they are on the map. Those
marked
an asterisk are featured in
Katherine Wilson's This Old House,
while those which have been "grayed out" no longer stand.
In the order of their
listing, the sites are:
Monticello, aka Thomas Jefferson Megibben House
(Monticello Heights, Cynthiana) ~ Listed December 31, 1974. The house
was severely damaged by a fire in July, 1985; its ruins, except for the carriage
house, were demolished.
Harrison
County Courthouse
(100 Main St., Cynthiana) ~ Listed December 6, 1974
Poplar Hill, aka John
William Kimbrough House
(901
Millersburg Pike (East of Cynthiana on KY 32) Cynthiana) ~ Listed
November 7, 1976
Stony Castle*
(West of Berry on Lafferty Pike, Berry) ~ Listed December 12, 1978
Episcopal
Church of the Advent
(122 North Walnut St., Cynthiana) ~ Listed December 22,
1978
Kimbrough-Hehr House
(U.S. 62, Broadwell) ~ Listed April 20,
1979
William T. Lafferty House
(548 East Pike St.,
Cynthiana) ~ Listed
April 10, 1980
Cynthiana
Commercial District
(Pike St. from Church to Main Sts., and Main
St. from Bridge to Pleasant Sts., Cynthiana) ~ Listed October 19, 1982
Wesley Roberts House
(113-115 North Main St., Cynthiana) ~ Listed
November 10, 1982
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Joel Fraizer
House
(Off KY 982, Cynthiana) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
Haviland
House, aka Stone House on Haviland Lane
(Off U.S. 62, Cynthiana) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
John Hinkson
House
(Off U.S. 27, Shawhan) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
John Lair House*
(Old Lair Rd., Shawhan) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
John McKee House
(Cook Rd., Shawhan) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
Samuel McMillan House
(Off U.S. 62, Shawhan) ~ Listed
June 23, 1983
Joseph Shawhan House*
(Off U.S. 27, Shawhan) ~ Listed
June 23, 1983
Smith House
(Off
Lair Rd., Shawhan) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
Stone House of Indian Creek
(Off U.S.
62, Cynthiana) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
John Williams House
(Off KY 32/36, Shawhan) ~ Listed June 23, 1983
Archeological Site No. 15HR4
(Address Restricted, Lair) ~ Listed
February 20, 1986
Spur Gasoline Station,
aka Jay's Cars Office
(201 E. Bridge St., Cynthiana) ~ Listed
April 27, 1987
Coleman-Desha Plantation*
(1416 U.S. 62 E (Oddville Pike), 1 mile
northeast of
Cynthiana) ~ Listed February 26, 1993.
Read about its
restoration! Referred to as the Duffy House in This Old
House.
Confederate
Monument in Cynthiana
(Located
in Battle Grove Cemetery, 531 East Pike Street (0.75 mi. E of jct. of
S. Elmarch Ave. & Pike St.), Cynthiana) ~ Listed July 17, 1997
Second Battle of Cynthiana Battlefield
(1 mi. N of Cynthiana, E of KY 36) ~ September 6, 2002
Handy Farm
(U.S. 62, Cynthiana) ~ Listed November 25, 2005
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These Old Houses
If old homes and stone houses
are your thing, then take a copy This Old
House by Katherine Wilson to use as a tour guide of historic residences of
Cynthiana and the county.
Originally published in the 1950s, the book tells the stories of twenty-six
early Harrison County houses, many of which can be seen today, and discusses the
families who have occupied them. In reading the story of each house, one learns
about Harrison County
history in general, and one can vicariously visit each location through the black & white
interior and exterior
photos which are included. To
get your own copy, visit the Harrison County Historical Society's
Publications web page for information on how to order.
Most, if not all, of these
houses are private residences, so please respect the privacy of the current
owners if you should wander by. There are a few buildings which, sadly, do
not exist any more. The descriptions of their locations given below have
been taken from This Old House and may be difficult to find without a map
or some familiarity with the area. The list below will be updated with
addresses and their current status in the near future. Those marked with an asterisk are listed on the National
Register of Historic Places (See
above).
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Dave Rees House
Faces
the west or back side of the Harrison County Courthouse,
Cynthiana
Amende House
"Five
miles from Cynthiana, across the road from the Griffith house
(presently Griffith Tavern) on Leesburg Pike, and about a half
mile back from the road."
Mathias Lair House,
aka "The Cedars"
"A mile off (east) of the Old Lair Pike just
this side (north) of Lair."
George Lail House
"A
mile back off the south side of the Edgewater Pike, not far from
Lair."
Stony Castle*
"On
the Berry-Cynthiana Road [Lafferty Pike] about a mile from Berry."
George Smiser House
"Stands
deserted several miles from U.S. 27 near Lair, used as a hay
shelter on the farm owned by J.E. Mason."
Gavin Morrison House
"West
Pike Street," Cynthiana
Margaret Goudy House
Cynthiana
Gray House
"On.
. . "Mt. Vernon Pike farm."
Kimbrough-McKee House
"A
fourth of a mile back from the Ruddles Mills Pike, around five
miles from Cynthiana."
Duffy House*, aka "The
Oaks", Coleman-Desha Plantation House , Newkirk House
"Located 1-1/2 miles from Cynthiana on the Oddville Pike."
Howk House
"On
the Breckinridge Pike about a mile from town and is approached
by a poplar-lined avenue."
Agnes McDowell House
"Seven
miles from Cynthiana on the Jacksonville Road."
Charles McDowell House
"Nine
miles from Cynthiana on the Oddville Pike. The only approach to the
house from the road is by . . . footbridge."
Griffith House
Five miles southwest of
Cynthiana on U.S. 62 (Leesburg Pike) at its junction with Russell Cave Road.
Presently known as Griffith Tavern. Visit
www.friendsofgriffithwoods.org to learn more.
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John Lair House*, aka Boscobel
"Located on the old Lair
Pike about five miles from Cynthiana and within sight of Lair Station."
John Williams House
"Three miles from
Cynthiana, approximately a mile off the Millersburg Pike, on the farm of Joe
Kauffman."
Boswell House
Leesburg
H.
Tod Smiser House
Stood
"opposite the First Methodist Church and at the corner of Pike and Church
Streets." Since Katherine Wilson's story first appeared, the house has
been demolished and the Smiser Building stands in its place.
Joe
McDaniel House, aka Kirtwood
"Seven miles from
Cynthiana on the Leesburg Pike."
Miller Lail House
"This old house is in
Harrison County with its entrance in Bourbon County, on the Townsend Valley
Pike. It is 10 miles from Cynthiana and 10 miles from Paris. The
driveway to the house crosses Silas Creek, which is the boundary line between
the two counties."
William Miner House
"It stands on a bluff
which slopes down to the South Licking River. The entrance to the place is
about a mile from Cynthiana on the New Lair Road, from which the house can
barely bee seen."
Joseph Shawhan House*
"On the Edgewater Pike
six miles from Cynthiana."
Owen House
"1-1/2 miles from
Cynthiana on the Millersburg Road."
Homer Whitaker House
"This old stone house on
Parkland Heights probably has the best view in the entire county. From it
can be seen almost every road entering Cynthiana - the Leesburg, both Old and
New Lair, Tricum, Connersville, White Oak and Falmouth, as well as the railroad
and river, and the countryside for miles around."
Orie Lebus House--"Located
at the corner of Church St. and Oddville Ave."
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