How often have Clark Countians driven past the site where Quisenberry Lane and Boonesboro Road intersect and never thought twice about what transpired in that area centuries ago? To calculate would be impossible, but that will happen less often now, as a historical marker has been placed to commemorate the work that took place in Clark County and paved the way for the early settlement of Kentucky.

On Sunday, Clark County residents and descendants of Capt. Billy Bush celebrated the unveiling of the newest local historical marker.

The new marker located at that intersection gives readers information about Daniel Boone’s work in frontier Kentucky as a surveyor, which began with him surveying more than 6,000 acres for Bush. It also gives the background on Bush, who had the land surveyed for himself, his family and others.

Local historian Harry Enoch did much of the research for the marker and said the area became the Bush settlement. The family also planted the first Baptist church in Clark County, which is now known as The Old Stone Church. It is the oldest church in Kentucky still being used for services.

Clark County is now home to 26 historical markers, according to the Kentucky Historical Society database. Those markers range from one dedicated in March 2017 commemorating the Boone-Callaway girls’ kidnapping along the Kentucky River to acknowledging Clark County as the birthplace of sculptor Joel Tanner Hart, the home of various Civil War-era soldiers, various other Daniel Boone-related markers, Indian Old Fields, the home of famed instrument craftsman and musician Homer Ledford, the home of Kentucky’s 13th governor, James Clark and more.

These markers commemorate the various people, places and events that have helped shape Clark County. Telling these stories is important so future generations can know how our state and our community came to be. These accounts are more than historical tales, they explain how areas of our community were named, why communities and neighborhoods are structured as they are, why we preserve certain buildings and more.

More importantly, these markers serve as reminders of what happened in a specific location long before we were ever there. These markers add value to our community because we can no longer drive toward the Kentucky River on Ky. 627 without being reminded of those who came before us and paved the way for Clark County and Kentucky.

We commend and appreciate those who took the time to do the research, fund this project and celebrate the dedication of another valuable addition to our community’s historical preservation efforts. We look forward to seeing more markers dedicated in the near future.