Original Fort Harrod Site Marker

This historical marker identifies the location of the original Fort Harrod, first established in 1774 at the nearby “Big Spring,” the earliest permanent settlement in what would become Kentucky. Captain James Harrod and his men initially built a crude fortification here, but were soon ordered east to aid in Dunmore’s War, temporarily abandoning the site. They returned in 1775 and relocated the fort to higher ground, choosing a more defensible position that would not flood.

The original fort later served as both a school and jail before eventually deteriorating. The structure seen today at Old Fort Harrod State Park is a 1927 replica, constructed to commemorate the region’s pioneer heritage and preserve the story of Kentucky’s earliest settlers.