The Jefferson Davis Monument is located in Fairview, Kentucky and was constructed in memory of the only Confederate President -Jefferson Davis.
The monument is 351 feet tall and is the largest unreinforced concrete obelisk in the world. Construction began in 1917 and was completed in 1924, with walls that are 7 ft. thick at the base and 2 ft. thick at the top. When you stand at the base and glance upwards, you can't help but be impressed with it's height. Believe me, you will see it from miles away as you drive.
I was surprised to discover that there's a working elevator to the top, although it may possibly be the slowest moving elevator I've ever been on. It took about 2 minutes to get to the top. The foyer has 2 beautiful plaques and check out that door....
The view looking up from the bottom of the elevator....
The inside of the elevator was really cool, with brass trim and windows so we could see the cables as we slowly inched upwards....
Once we reached the top we were able to get out and walk around. There really wasn't a lot of room, but the views from the top floor windows let us see for miles. It was really windy up there too!
The Jefferson Davis Monument is located on the grounds of a Kentucky State Historic Site. There were 2 park rangers on duty the day we were there and one of them accompanied us on the tour. Along the way she shared interesting information about Jefferson Davis and The Civil War.
The windows were beautiful and are still the original windows...
Next to the monument is a museum and gift shop that we also toured. They have a great exhibit there, with wonderfully large detailed posters and exhibits about Jefferson Davis and the major events in his life, as well as The Civil War.
The gift shop was well stocked with Civil War memorabilia and I'm sorry I didn't go back in after the monument tour to purchase a book. But I got side tracked because after the elevator ride back down, we sat and tried to figure out the co-ordinates to a 2 step geocache. We had to get some information from the top of the monument, then do some calculating.....
And even though we are convinced our calculations were correct, the cache, hidden somewhere near this wall, eluded us. I guess that just means we'll have to make another trip to the monument to find that geocache, right?
You can read more about the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site here. If you're in the area, stop by and do the tour. I suggest you call ahead and check their open days and times because there were discrepancies between what's listed on the website and the current hours of operation.
Well, I have to admit. That is one place in Kentucky I have never been, Thanks for sharing. xo Laura
ReplyDeleteWell worth a visit and very interesting Laura. I'm glad I could show you something new. xo
DeleteVery interesting. You'd be amazed at how many people don't know who
ReplyDeleteJefferson Davis was. Looks like you had a pretty day too.
I was told that many people don't want to talk about Jefferson Davis and I think that's a shame. He was huge part of our nations history.
DeleteWe love visiting places like this and learning more about our history. Enjoy your Sunday my friend! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteThanks Diane - I'm a history nut so it was right up my alley. xo
DeleteI enjoyed the article. We have the Jefferson Davis capture site here in Georgia, just outside of Fitzgerald. I haven't visited it, but I have seen the signs. There is a historical monument there. Perhaps I'll make a trip over one day and check it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Sonny - glad you came by. Do you have a link to that capture site?
DeleteHow fortunate you were to visit this monument and the museum! Your mom looks so cute in her bright blue cap. Still praying for her continued strength!
ReplyDeleteThank you Myra. She's 1/3 of the way thru her radiation and her hair is starting to come back in. She is doing great.
DeleteI haven't had much luck with Geocache's this week either, will have to try again too!! Must be something in the air!!
ReplyDeleteWe ere able to do 5 today but had 1 DNF.
DeleteHi Kim! Oh, we love this stuff! My husband loves Civil War things and we've been in Jefferson Davis' home in Richmond, Virginia and his home in Biloxi, Mississippi, that was destroyed during a not too long ago hurricane. Your mom is so cute. You are one busy gal!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Hilarious -- there are two important things I learned about Davis -- from his wife's letter and book.
ReplyDelete1 -- Davis was a coward. See her letter. He told her to get herself killed, rather than be captured -- yes he did, see her book about it too. Then, Davis, according to her letter -- runs away in female clothing. Go on, read her letter! SHe writes to the Blairs that "I said it was my mother" -- and jumped in front of him to protect him. Davis himself protected no one, indeed, he left his children in danger as the bullets flew, as confirmed by h is own nephew!
The other thing about Davis -- his support of killer David Rice Atchison in Kansas killing sprees from 1856 on. Varina Davis said Davis spoke highly of Atchison, and we have a record of Atchison's speech, where he bragged at great length, with great fervor, about killing people in Kansas to spread slavery. As votes would later indicate, 98% of white males in Kansas rejected slavery, but Davis had Atchison in Kansas, with 1700 men, from 1856 on, killing people who dared even speak against slavery. Sounds crazy right? Well, see Atchison's speech.
Im sure you all want the truth -- right? Well, his wife's letter, his nephews journal, and his general's speech, all original documents -- speak volumes.
This is from his wife's letter http://jeffdavisdresss.blogspot.com/
And this is from his general's speech. http://civilwarkillers.blogspot.com/