Fort Nelson (Kentucky)

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Fort Nelson, built in 1781 by Richard Chenoweth, was the second on-shore fort on the Ohio River in the area of what is now downtown Louisville, Kentucky. Fort-on-Shore, the first on-shore fort, had proved to be insufficient barely three years after it was established. In response to continuing attacks from Native Americans and the threat of British attacks during the Revolutionary War, Fort Nelson was contructed between what is currently Main Street and the river, with its main gate near Seventh Street. It was named after Thomas Nelson, Jr., then the governor of Virginia. (Kentucky was part of Virginia at the time.)

In the fort's place today stands Fort Nelson Park.

[edit] References

• Yater, George H. (1987). Two Hundred Years at the Fall of the Ohio: A History of Louisville and Jefferson County, 2nd edition, Louisville, KY: Filson Club, Incorporated. ISBN 0-9601072-3-1. 

[edit] See also

• Corn Island (Kentucky) — location of first Louisville area settlement
• History of Louisville, Kentucky
• Long Run Massacre

[edit] Gallery

Satellite image showing location of Fort Nelson in relation to other early Louisville area settlements

Fountain in the center of Fort Nelson Park

Fort Nelson Park nameplate