Historical Marker

Secession Abandoned


In May, 1861, delegates of seven Kentucky and twenty Tennessee westernmost counties, the Jackson Purchase, met in Mayfield. Belief in Southern cause, dissatisfaction with Kentucky adherence to Union, and Tennessee delay joining South, caused convention vote to secede and form a Confederate state. With Tennessee's vote to secede, June 8, 1861, proposal abandoned

  A brief timeline of the Civil War

  • April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.

  • April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.

  • May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.

  • September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.

  • January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.

  • July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.

  • November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.

  • April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.

  • April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.

  • May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.

  • December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.

While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.

Civil War
Daniel Boone, a legendary explorer and frontiersman, helped blaze the Wilderness Road, which opened up Kentucky and the West to settlement.
Kentucky random facts
Graves County, Kentucky has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Chickasaw, who were forced to relocate to the region from their ancestral lands in the southeastern United States. European settlers first arrived in the late 18th century, attracted by the fertile soil and abundant natural resources.

In 1824, Graves County was officially established as a separate entity within the state of Kentucky. The county was named after Benjamin Franklin Graves, a prominent politician and soldier who served in the War of 1812. Agriculture played a central role in the early economy of Graves County, with cotton, tobacco, and livestock farming being the primary industries. The county's proximity to the Mississippi River also facilitated trade and transportation, further stimulating its growth.

During the American Civil War, Graves County experienced the divisions and conflicts that were characteristic of the era. Despite its southern location, the county remained largely loyal to the Union, with a significant number of its residents enlisting in the Union Army. However, there were also Confederate sympathizers in the area, leading to occasional acts of violence and unrest.

In the years following the Civil War, Graves County continued to develop and thrive. The county saw advancements in infrastructure, including the construction of railroads, which further boosted trade and commerce. Today, Graves County is known for its strong agricultural sector, producing crops such as corn, soybeans, wheat, and tobacco. It also offers a diverse range of cultural and recreational attractions, making it a great place to visit and call home.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Graves County, Kentucky.

  • 1823: Graves County is established and named after Major Benjamin Franklin Graves.
  • 1832: The first courthouse is built in Mayfield, the county seat.
  • 1843: The county's first newspaper, The Mayfield Eagle, is established.
  • 1890: The Mayfield Woolen Mills, a major textile industry, is founded.
  • 1937: The county's largest employer, the W.R. Thomas Paducah Coca-Cola Bottling Company, opens in Mayfield.
  • 1949: The first public library in Graves County is established in Mayfield.
  • 1968: The Purchase Parkway, connecting Graves County to the Interstate Highway System, opens.
  • 1974: A tornado strikes Mayfield, causing significant damage to the city.
  • 2001: The Graves County High School is built in Mayfield.
  • 2013: Kentucky's first fiber optic network, called the Kentucky Wired Project, is announced to include Mayfield.