Confederate Monument in Cynthiana

The Confederate Monument in Battle Grove Cemetery is a marble obelisk standing about 25 feet tall with a Confederate flag positioned at its top, supported by a limestone base. The structure was designed to create a visible focal point that commands attention within the cemetery grounds.

Built in 1869, this structure became the first Confederate memorial in Kentucky, erected to honor those who fought for the South. It stands at the site where the second Battle of Cynthiana took place, connecting the physical location to the events that shaped the region.

The monument displays verses from the poem 'Bivouac of the Dead' and marks the gathering point of graves for Civil War veterans arranged in a circular pattern. This layout reflects how the local community chose to remember and honor these soldiers.

The memorial stands within a cemetery and is accessible to the public at all times, though visitors should move respectfully through the grounds. Access is on foot, and there are no facilities nearby, so plan a visit during suitable weather conditions.

The Muldoon Monument Company from Louisville created this structure, and its design later influenced how many other memorials were built across the Kentucky region. The approach to the marble obelisk design set a pattern that other communities adopted for their own commemorative monuments.

Location: Cynthiana

Inception: 1869

Made from material: marble

GPS coordinates: 38.39479,-84.28079

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:25