Explore Henderson County, Kentucky
Tour Description
Henderson County, established in 1798, and named for Col. Richard Henderson, is located in western Kentucky along the Ohio River.
Henderson County has a rich and diverse history to explore that includes its famous people, such as governors Chandler and Stanley and artist John James Audubon. The county is also known as the birthplace of Mother's Day, and much more.
We hope you find this app helpful in exploring the people, places, and stories of Henderson County.
Locations for Tour
Transylvania Company
Historical Marker #66 in Henderson commemorates the Transylvania Company.
Formed by Richard Henderson, the Transylvania Company was created to settle the area around the Kentucky, Ohio, and Cumberland rivers. The Company is also credited for…
Mother’s Day
Historical Marker #191 in Henderson County remembers Mary Towles Sasseen Wilson, a Henderson school teacher who is recognized as the first person to celebrate Mother's Day in 1887.
Mary was born March 5, 1860, in Henderson, Kentucky. The…
General Samuel Hopkins
Historical Marker #717 in Henderson County commemorates General Samuel Hopkins, a Revolutionary War veteran who helped establish Henderson County.
Born in Albermarle County, Virginia, in 1753, Samuel was the son of Dr. Samuel Hopkins and Isabella…
County Formed, Named
Historical Marker #1206 commemorates the formation of Henderson County. Located in western Kentucky along the Ohio River, Henderson County was the thirty-eighth county to be formed.
Henderson County was named for Colonel Richard Henderson, the…
Artist Naturalist
Historical Marker #1523 in Henderson County remembers John James Audubon, who is best known for his paintings of nature, especially birds, and his publication, "Birds of America." Audubon traveled across the country in his attempt to study…
Augustus Owsley Stanley
Historical Marker #1777 in Henderson County commemorates Augustus Owsley Stanley, a Kentucky governor and U.S. congressman who used his charisma and colorful oratorical skills to win elected office.
Born in Shelbyville on May 21, 1867, to William…
Lewis and Clark in Kentucky – Henderson
Historical Marker #2220 in Henderson County commemorates the famed explorers Lewis and Clark and their journey through Henderson County. Robert Frazer, who joined Lewis and Clark on their expedition, visited Henderson several times after the…
First Kentucky Consumer Rural Cooperative Electricity
Historical Marker #1392 in Henderson County marks the location where the first Kentucky customer received rural electricity from an electric cooperative.
In 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the law creating the Rural Electrification…
Fernwood Cemetery
Historical Marker #1926 in Henderson County commemorates Fernwood Cemetery, the final resting place of several prominent Kentuckians.
Lazarus Powell was born in Henderson County in 1812. Powell graduated from St. Joseph's College in Bardstown…
Albert B. Chandler
Historical Marker #2309 in Henderson County commemorates former Kentucky Governor Albert B. "Happy" Chandler. During two terms in the governor's office, Chandler oversaw improvements in schools, roads, health and welfare programs, and…
Home of Lucy Furman
Historical marker #870 in Henderson County commemorates the life of author and lecturer Lucy Furman.
Furman earned renown by writing about rural Kentucky. She was born in Henderson County on June 7, 1869. After her parents' death early in her…
Kimmel Homestead
Historic marker #878 in Henderson County marks the site of the home for three generations of the Kimmel family and notes their military achievements.
Marius Manning Kimmel was born in October 1832, in Perry County, Missouri. He attended Princeton…
Nurse Mary W. Arvin
Historic Marker #2241 in Henderson County notes the location of the home of famed nurse Mary W. Arvin.
On April 21, 1879, Mary was born in Henderson, Kentucky, to William Meade and Beattie Towles Arvin. In 1904, she graduated from the School of…