Elisha Green - Religious Leader
Historical marker location:Born into slavery in Bourbon County, Elisha Green grew up in Mason County at "Glen Alice" farm outside Maysville. He later purchased freedom for himself and part of his family. A spiritual leader, he helped form African American Baptist churches in Maysville and Paris, Ky., and preached to many congregations.
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Elisha Green, Religious Leader - Believing freedmen needed to own land, Green and a white landowner founded African American community near Paris. Politically active, he was chosen a vice president of the Ky. Negro Republican Party at Lexington convention in 1867. He remained a dynamic force in Baptist churches in Maysville and Paris until his death in 1889The Reconstruction Era in the United States followed the Civil War and spanned from 1865 to 1877. It aimed to address the social, economic, and political challenges faced by the nation after the abolition of slavery. Here is a brief timeline highlighting key events during the Reconstruction Era:
1865: The Civil War ends with the surrender of Confederate forces. President Abraham Lincoln, who favored a lenient approach to reconstruction, is assassinated in April. Vice President Andrew Johnson assumes the presidency.
1865: The Freedmen's Bureau is established to provide assistance to newly freed slaves, including education, employment, and legal support.
1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.
1866: The Civil Rights Act of 1866 is passed, granting citizenship and equal rights to all individuals born in the United States, regardless of race or previous condition of slavery.
1867: The Reconstruction Acts are passed by Congress, dividing the former Confederate states into military districts and requiring them to draft new state constitutions that grant voting rights to African American men.
1868: The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing equal protection under the law for all citizens and granting citizenship to former slaves.
1870: The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, prohibiting the denial of voting rights based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
1870s: African Americans are elected to various political offices, including state legislatures and even the U.S. Congress. This period witnesses a significant increase in black political participation.
1873: The economic Panic of 1873 leads to a severe depression, undermining many of the gains made during the Reconstruction Era.
1876: The disputed presidential election of 1876 between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden results in the Compromise of 1877. As part of the compromise, federal troops are withdrawn from the South, effectively marking the end of Reconstruction.
1877: With the withdrawal of federal troops, Southern states begin enacting Jim Crow laws and implementing systemic racial segregation and discrimination, suppressing the political and economic rights of African Americans.
The Reconstruction Era was a complex and contentious period in American history, marked by progress in racial equality and political participation, as well as the subsequent rollback of those gains. It left a lasting impact on the struggle for civil rights and the ongoing quest for racial justice in the United States.
The famous horse race, the Kentucky Derby, has been held annually at Churchill Downs in Louisville since 1875.
In the late 18th century, European settlers began arriving in the area and established a permanent settlement known as Limestone (later renamed Maysville). This strategic location on the Ohio River made Maysville a significant transportation and trading hub. The early economy of Mason County was centered around agriculture, with tobacco being the primary cash crop, along with hemp and flax.
During the 19th century, Mason County played a prominent role in the development of the American frontier. It was a key stop on the Underground Railroad, with many escaped slaves finding refuge and assistance from local abolitionists. The county was also known for its prominent citizens, including Albert Sidney Johnston, a Confederate general during the Civil War, and Rosemary Clooney, the famous actress and singer.
In the 20th century, Mason County continued to evolve with the establishment of industries such as glass manufacturing, automobile manufacturing, and oil refining. Today, the county remains an important agricultural region, known for its production of corn, soybeans, and tobacco. It also boasts a rich cultural heritage, with several historic sites and festivals that celebrate its diverse history.
Mason County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Mason County, Kentucky.
- 1788 - Mason County was established as one of the nine original counties in the Kentucky Territory.
- 1794 - Maysville, the county seat of Mason County, was founded.
- 1807 - The Maysville Road was authorized by the federal government, connecting Maysville to Lexington.
- 1811 - The Old State Capitol, also known as the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center, was built in Maysville.
- 1830s - Maysville became a significant crossing point for steamboats on the Ohio River.
- 1849 - The Maysville and Lexington Railroad was completed, providing a new transportation option.
- 1856 - Construction of the Paxton Inn, a notable antebellum hotel, was completed in Maysville.
- 1861-1865 - Mason County residents actively participated in the American Civil War.
- 1888 - The Simon Kenton Memorial Bridge, connecting Maysville to Aberdeen, Ohio, was completed.
- 1932 - The historic Washington Opera House reopened after renovations and became a center for entertainment.
- 1997 - The John H. Knauf Masonic Hall was added to the National Register of Historic Places.