Explore Campbell County, Kentucky
Tour Description
Campbell County, located in northern Kentucky, and founded in 1794, was the state's nineteenth county. It was formed from portions of Harrison, Mason, and Scott Counties and named for Revolutionary War veteran Colonel John Campbell.
Much of the history explored on Campbell County's highway markers are the people, places, and events of its early settlement. Before Campbell County was established, its location at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers made it a natural point of entry for early settlers into what would become Kentucky. Famous Kentucky names such as Taylor, Boone, Bryan, and Leitch, all appear. Campbell County's location also influenced the construction of places such as the Newport Barracks. In addition, many church congregations established long ago, today, remain a part of the county's present.
Campbell County is also noted for its military heritage. Along with the Newport Barracks and communities such as Fort Thomas, which was named for General George H. Thomas, it was also the birthplace of military weapons inventor John Thompson and Medal of Honor recipient William Horsfall. Although not born in Campbell County, Samuel Woodfill, another Medal of Honor recipient called it home for a time, too.
These stories and more are here for you to learn about. We hope you will use this app to better understand the important part Campbell County has played in Kentucky's rich history.
Locations for Tour
Bellevue Landmark
Historical Marker #1506 in Bellevue details the history of Sacred Heart Church, which was constructed only four years after Bellevue was incorporated in 1870.
The town of Bellevue totaled less than four hundred residents in the early 1870s, yet it…
Bellevue, Kentucky
Historical Marker #1351 in Bellevue provides a brief history of this Ohio River town in northern Kentucky.
The land on which Bellevue was founded was originally granted to Col. John Campbell (Campbell County's namesake) for his service in the…
Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire
Historical Marker #2237 in Southgate, Kentucky, marks the site of the former Beverly Hills Supper Club, where 165 people died and the building was destroyed by a fire on May 28, 1977.
During Prohibition, the towns along the Ohio River in…
Brent Spence
Historical Marker #1776 in Newport remembers the life and service of longtime U.S. Congressman Brent Spence.
While many Cincinnati and northern Kentucky residents may recognize the name due to a local bridge being named for him, Brent Spence lived…
Congressmen Buried in Evergreen
Historical Marker #2311 in Southgate is dedicated to the notable political figures buried at Evergreen Cemetery. Prominent politicians interned at the cemetery include John Wooleston Tibbatts, Thomas Laurens Jones, Albert S. Berry, Brent Spence, and…
Dr. Thomas Hinde
Historical Maker #1386 in Newport, Kentucky, remembers the life of Dr. Thomas Hinde.
Born in England, Hinde studied surgery and medicine in London. Instructed by Dr. Thomas Brooks, Hinde quickly learned the trade and received his medical license…
Early Schoolhouse
Historical Marker #1730 in Highland Heights describes the symbolic schoolhouse log cabin located on the campus of Northern Kentucky University and gives a brief history of that educational institution.
The log structure on the campus of Northern…
Ft. Thomas Army Post
Historical Marker #986 in Fort Thomas commemorates the local military post that was created there and its namesake.
In 1887, the United States Army moved the Newport Barracks to higher ground in nearby Fort Thomas due to excessive flooding. …
General James Taylor Home
Historical Marker #121 in Newport commemorates the General James Taylor home.
James Taylor, Jr. was born to James, Sr. and Anne Hubbard in 1769. While the family resided in Caroline County, Virginia, James Taylor, Sr. received land for his…
Grant's Lick
Historical Marker #1642 in Grant's Lick commemorates this Campbell County community's settlement and founding.
In 1793, salt water was discovered in the area by Samuel Bryan, who was a nephew of Daniel Boone. John Grant, also a nephew…
Highland United Methodist Church
Historical Marker #2323 in Fort Thomas remembers the founding and history of Highland United Methodist Church, the oldest church congregation in this Campbell County community.
The first services of the Highland United Methodist Church were held…
Hon. Henry Stanbery
Historical Marker #1059 in Fort Thomas notes the location of the home of Henry Stanbery, who was attorney general in Andrew Johnson's presidential administration.
Henry Stanbery was born in New York City in 1803. When Henry was age eleven,…
Kenton Furnace
Historical Marker #1434 in Newport remembers Kenton Furnace's brief but important existence in Campbell County.
Kenton Furnace, built in 1869 by the Kenton Iron Company, was one of many iron producers in the Bluegrass State. Its primary…
Kentucky's Nineteenth
Historical Marker #889, located on the courthouse lawn in Alexandria, commemorates the creation of Campbell County as the nineteenth county in the state. It was named in honor of Colonel John Campbell, a Revolutionary War officer.
Campbell County…
Leitch’s Station, 1789
Historical Marker #117 in Wilder remembers Leitch's Station, one of the first white settlements in Campbell County.
David Leitch, born in Scotland in 1753, immigrated to Virginia as a young man. Leitch fought in the Revolutionary War with…
Licking Furnace
Historical Marker #1395 in Newport commemorates the Licking Furnace, which operated for more than twenty five years.
Largely driven by the production demands of the Industrial Revolution, the mid-nineteenth century witnessed a boom in the iron…
Mary Boone Bryan
Historical Marker #2390 in Grants Lick remembers the life of Mary Boone Bryan, the sister of the famous frontiersman Daniel Boone.
Mary was born in 1736 in Pennsylvania to parents Squire and Sarah. She grew up in a full house with seven brothers…
Mary Ingles
Historical Marker #163 in Silver Grove remembers Mary Draper Ingles for her bravery. After escaping from Native American captors, she navigated through the Kentucky wilderness back to her Virginia home.
Mary was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,…
Newport Barracks
Historical Marker #599 at Riverfront Park in Newport commemorates the Newport Barracks, an important nineteenth century military facility.
The Newport Barracks were erected in 1803, when General James Taylor, founder of Newport, convinced his…
Newport: War of 1812
Historical Marker #507 in Newport commemorates the location where Kentucky volunteers crossed the Ohio River on their way to assist General William Hull against the British and Native American forces besieging Detroit during the War of 1812.
The…
Samuel Woodfill
Historical Marker #990 at Samuel Woodfill Elementary School in Fort Thomas commemorates that military hero's long and distinguished career in the United States Army.
Samuel Woodfill was born in Jefferson County, Indiana, in 1883. His father…
Southgate Street School
Historical Marker #2071 in Newport commemorates Southgate Street School, an early African American educational institution in Campbell County.
The end of the Civil War and the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment ended slavery in Kentucky. …
St. Paul's Church
Historical Marker #1151 in Newport notes the significance of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, which has served the community since 1844.
The St. Paul's congregation was formed nearly seventy years after the first Episcopal missionary, Rev.…
"Tommygun Inventor"
Historical Marker #1706 in Newport commemorates Brig. Gen. John T. Thompson, inventor of the Thompson submachine gun.
Thompson was born in Newport on December 31, 1860. He grew up on various military posts where his father, Lieutenant Colonel…
William H. Horsfall
Historical Marker #1867 at Evergreen Cemetery in Southgate, Kentucky, commemorates the life of William H. Horsfall, the youngest Kentuckian to earn a Medal of Honor, which was received for his bravery during the Civil War.
Horsfall was born in…