Explore Kenton County, Kentucky
Tour Description
Kenton County, named in honor of pioneer Simon Kenton, became Kentucky's nineteenth county when it was formed by the legislature in 1840. The county seat is Covington, a lively town located on the Ohio River.
Kenton County has been home to noted politicians, world-renowned artists, and breathtaking architecture throughout its rich history.
We hope you will use this app to explore Kenton County’s rich history and cultural contributions.
Locations for Tour
Roebling Suspension Bridge
Historical Marker #1601 in Kenton County commemorates the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the first bridge to span the Ohio River. Opened to traffic on January 1, 1867, the bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time. The cost of…
Daniel Carter Beard, 1850-1941
Historical Marker #50 in Kenton County marks the boyhood home of Daniel Carter Beard, an early leader of the Boy Scouts of America.
Although Beard was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 21, 1850, he soon moved to nearby Covington, Kentucky. After a…
County Named, 1840
Historical Marker #1168 commemorates the namesake of Kenton County, General Simon Kenton, who was an explorer and pioneer of early Kentucky.
Born in Virginia on April 3, 1755, Kenton received no formal schooling as a boy, causing him to remain…
Mother of God Church
Historical Marker #1460 in Kenton County commemorates the Mother of God Catholic Church in Covington as being the "Cradle of the Arts." The church, which was the second Catholic church to be erected in Covington, was the mother-parish to…
Noted Historian
Historical Marker #1488 in Kenton County remembers noted historian Richard Henry Collins.
Collins was born on May 4, 1824, in Maysville, Kentucky, to Lewis and Eleanor Collins. His father, a judge and journalist, had also authored the "most…
Grant House
Historical Marker #1594 in Kenton County marks the home of Jesse and Hannah Grant, the parents of President Ulysses S. Grant. The Grant family lived there from 1859 to 1873.
Jesse Root Grant married Hannah Simpson on June 24, 1821, in Clermont…
William Goebel- Lawyer
Historical Marker #1709 in Kenton County remembers William Goebel, a lawyer and politician who began his career in Covington. Goebel was born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania, on January 4, 1856. Within a decade, after his father returned from service in…
Frank Duveneck
Historical Marker #1854 in Kenton County remembers Frank Duvenek, a world renowned artist and teacher.
Duveneck was born in Covington on October 9, 1848, to German parents Bernard and Katherine Decker. Frank's father died while Frank was an…
General Ormsby Mitchel
Historical Marker #1758 in Kenton County commemorates Union General Ormsby Mitchel, the namesake of Fort Mitchell, Kentucky.
During the Civil War, several dozen earthen fortifications were constructed to protect Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. …
Fort Wright - The Black Brigade
Historical Marker #1917 in Kenton County commemorates Fort Wright, a defensive position that was named in honor of Union General Horatio G. Wright.
In August and September 1862, Confederate generals Edmund Kirby Smith and Braxton Bragg invaded…
Latonia Race Track
Historical Marker #1853 in Covington notes the historical significance of Latonia Race Track, which sponsored the Latonia Derby for many years.
Horseracing, along with baseball, were two of America's favorite spectator sports in the last half…
Slave Escape
Historical Marker #1863 in Kenton County notes the escape of enslaved woman Margaret Garner, who murdered her daughter to prevent the child’s return to slavery.
In the winter of 1856, Boone County slave owner Archibald Gaines learned how desperate…