Jefferson Davis State Historic Site is a memorial to the famous Kentuckian born on this site on June 3, 1808. Ironically, just eight months later, and not more than 100 miles away, another great Kentucky statesman was born, Abraham Lincoln. The two men were destined to become Civil War adversaries: Union President, Abraham Lincoln, and Confederate President, Jefferson Davis. Although Davis is most well-known for his service as President of the Confederacy during the Civil War, he was actually a reluctant secessionist.
Davis distinguished himself as a military and political leader not only during the Civil War, but also as a West Point graduate, Mexican War hero, Mississippi congressman and senator, and Secretary of War during the Franklin Pierce administration.
The 351-foot monument to Davis constructed on this site marks Davis' birthplace and rests on a foundation of solid Kentucky limestone. Our visitor's center features exhibits detailing Davis' political life before and after the Civil War, and offers Kentucky handcrafts, souvenirs, books and Civil War memorabilia.
In 1907 at a reunion of the Orphan’s Brigade of the Confederate Army, General Simon Bolivar Buckner, a famous Confederate general from Kentucky, proposed that a monument be built to honor Jefferson Davis at the site of his birthplace. Contractor C. G. Gregg of Louisville submitted a bid of $75,000 to design and build the monument. In 1917, construction of the world’s tallest concrete obelisk began. Steam was the principle source of power, and monument workers used steam engines to power their equipment, including steam-powered drills. A quarry was dug on the south end of the 19-acre park site and the stone crushed for use in mixing cement. The monument had reached a height of 175 feet by the fall of 1918, when construction was halted due to rationing of building materials during World War 1. Construction resumed in January 1922 and was completed in 1924 at an increased cost of $200,000. The 351 foot obelisk rests on a foundation of solid Kentucky limestone, and contains walls seven feet thick at the base, tapering to two feet thick where the point inclines. The monument features an elevator to an observation room high atop the structure for a panoramic view of the countryside. The Monument has undergone major renovation and reopened to visitors in May 2004.
Enjoy your next family outing under the proud auspices of the historic monument. A picnic area, two picnic shelters (near rest room facilities) and a playground are available at the monument site.
Visitors Center
Visitor Center Opened in 2001, the visitor center enhances a visit to the Site and enlightens visitors on the unique history that caused its preservation. A short DVD presentation and exhibits detail the political life of Davis before the after the Civil War and the building of the monument. Also told is the little known story of the Kentucky "Orphan Brigade." The center includes a gift shop featuring Kentucky handcrafts, souvenirs, books and Civil War memorabilia. Open May 1 through October 31. Hours are 9 -5 CT seven days a week.
Gift Shop
The gift shop features many unique and hard to find "War Between the States" items including books, flags, chess sets and many other models and figurines. You will also find an exciting line of Civil War t-shirts and caps. Kentucky made items as well as food products and an impressive selection of Kentucky books make this gift shop a must see!