Jefferson Davis

Location Description

Eight miles east of Hopkinsville, where Hwy 115 meets US Hwy 68/Hwy 80 (Jefferson Davis Hwy).

Bio

“Jefferson Davis was an American politician and military leader born on June 3, 1808, in Fairview, Kentucky. He is best known for serving as the President of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.

Davis was a West Point graduate and served in the United States Army before resigning his commission to become a planter in Mississippi. He served in the United States Congress and the Senate before being elected as the President of the Confederacy in 1861.

As President, Davis faced many challenges, including the logistical difficulties of running a government during a war and opposition from Confederate generals. Despite these challenges, he remained committed to the Confederate cause and worked tirelessly to secure independence for the Confederate States.

The Confederacy ultimately lost the Civil War, and Davis was arrested and imprisoned for treason. He was released after two years, and he spent the remainder of his life as a writer and public speaker, defending the Confederacy and advocating for states’ rights.

Davis died on December 6, 1889, and remains a controversial figure in American history. To some, he is seen as a heroic defender of Southern independence and states’ rights, while to others, he is seen as a symbol of slavery and oppression. Regardless of one’s view, his role as the President of the Confederacy and his impact on the outcome of the Civil War make him an important figure in American history.”

Monument Description

The monument stands 351 feet tall and was the tallest structure in Kentucky until the 1970s. It remains the tallest structure in Fairview. The walls are 9 feet thick at the base and 2 feet thick at the top, where an observation room offers views of mostly unchanged trees and fields since Jefferson Davis’s time. Made of 14,376 tons of solid concrete, it is the tallest unreinforced concrete structure in the world, being without interior iron or steel. It has survived tornadoes and lightning strikes without damage.

Google Street View