Kentucky History Drive

History is all around us.

Pioneers, Native nations, long hunters, soldiers and distillers. Explore the stories that made Kentucky, on a living map you can travel through time.

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Maker's Mark: Loretto, Holy Cross and the Lincoln country · Loop 1: Holy Cross, Lebanon and Springfield

Starting at Maker's Mark in Loretto: the Maryland Catholic settlement at Holy Cross, Civil War Lebanon, and the Springfield courthouse and homestead tied to Abraham Lincoln's parents.

I'm at Maker's Mark Distillery: what history is near here?

Sites within about 30 minutes by road, nearest first. Times and miles are estimates from OpenStreetMap routing (OSRM), not live traffic.

SiteFrom the distillery (est.)AccessStory
Holy Cross Church and Catholic Pioneers marker (KHS #913)
Basil Hayden Sr. led Maryland Catholic families to Pottinger's Creek in 1785; the first Catholic church west of the Alleghenies was built here in 1792, and the present church in 1823. Sources: KHS marker #913: Catholic Pioneers; ExploreKYHistory: Catholic Pioneers		about 18 min, 8.6 miMarker onlyRead the story
Battle of Lebanon marker (KHS #600)
On July 5, 1863, Morgan's raiders, on the way to Ohio, fought about 380 Union troops under Col. C.S. Hanson here; after a seven-hour fight the Union force surrendered. Sources: KHS marker #600: Battle of Lebanon; Wikipedia: Battle of Lebanon		about 19 min, 9.9 miMarker only
Lebanon National Cemetery
Established in 1862 for Camp Crittenden and area military hospitals; designated a national cemetery in 1867. Sources: Wikipedia: Lebanon National Cemetery; VA: Lebanon National Cemetery		about 20 min, 10.8 miPublic
S.F. Turner and Company Steam Flouring and Grist Mill
A Springfield steam flour and grist mill listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989. Sources: NPGallery: NRHP 88003390		about 24 min, 10.2 miPrivate land
Washington County Courthouse, Springfield (KHS #526)
The marriage bond of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, parents of Abraham Lincoln, is on file in the courthouse; they married on June 12, 1806. Sources: KHS marker #526: Lincoln Homestead		about 25 min, 10.7 miMarker onlyRead the story
Lincoln Homestead State Park
The park marks the site of the log house where Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks were married on June 12, 1806. Sources: KHS marker #526: Lincoln Homestead; Wikipedia: Lincoln Homestead State Park		about 33 min, 14.9 miLimited hours

Stops

  1. 1. Maker's Mark Distillery (Burks' Distillery)

    PublicPaid admissionReservation neededBought 1953. Working distillery; tours by reservation, fees apply.

    Bill Samuels Sr. bought the Burks' Distillery at Loretto on October 1, 1953; it became a National Historic Landmark in 1980, the first U.S. distillery so recognized while its landmark buildings were in active production. Sources: Grokipedia: Maker's Mark; Maker's Mark

    No story yet for this stop.

  2. 2. Holy Cross Church and Catholic Pioneers marker (KHS #913)

    PublicMarker onlySettled 1785; church 1792. Roadside marker at KY 49/KY 457; active parish church (grounds only unless services are open).

    Basil Hayden Sr. led Maryland Catholic families to Pottinger's Creek in 1785; the first Catholic church west of the Alleghenies was built here in 1792, and the present church in 1823. Sources: KHS marker #913: Catholic Pioneers; ExploreKYHistory: Catholic Pioneers

    8.6 mi, about 18 min from stop 1
    Basil Hayden's High-Rye Trail →

  3. 3. Washington County Courthouse, Springfield (KHS #526)

    PublicMarker onlyMarriage bond 1806. Marker on the courthouse lawn; courthouse open business hours.

    The marriage bond of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, parents of Abraham Lincoln, is on file in the courthouse; they married on June 12, 1806. Sources: KHS marker #526: Lincoln Homestead

    16.9 mi, about 28 min from stop 2
    Springfield Founding and Washington County Seat →

  4. 4. Lincoln Homestead State Park

    PublicLimited hoursMarriage site 1806. State park; the historic buildings keep seasonal hours.

    The park marks the site of the log house where Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks were married on June 12, 1806. Sources: KHS marker #526: Lincoln Homestead; Wikipedia: Lincoln Homestead State Park

    4.7 mi, about 11 min from stop 3
    No story yet for this stop.

  5. 5. Battle of Lebanon marker (KHS #600)

    PublicMarker onlyJuly 5, 1863. Roadside marker at the old railroad station.

    On July 5, 1863, Morgan's raiders, on the way to Ohio, fought about 380 Union troops under Col. C.S. Hanson here; after a seven-hour fight the Union force surrendered. Sources: KHS marker #600: Battle of Lebanon; Wikipedia: Battle of Lebanon

    14.2 mi, about 24 min from stop 4
    Lebanon: Cedars, Meeting House, County Seat →

  6. 6. Lebanon National Cemetery

    PublicEst. 1862. VA national cemetery; grounds open daily.

    Established in 1862 for Camp Crittenden and area military hospitals; designated a national cemetery in 1867. Sources: Wikipedia: Lebanon National Cemetery; VA: Lebanon National Cemetery

    2 mi, about 4 min from stop 5
    No story yet for this stop.

Directions cover the public stops only. Access, fees and hours are general; verify before visiting.

Route map