Christopher Gist, John Bowman, and Isaac Shelby
Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky
Marker Inscription
The Point. Confluence of Ohio and Licking Rivers. Christopher Gist, Agent of the Ohio Company, was first white man known to have set foot on Point, 1751. The Lieutenant of Kentucky Co., Va., Col. John Bowman, led expedition from here against Shawnee Indians in Ohio, 1777. Gov. Isaac Shelby rendezvoused 4,000 Ky. troops here before his victory at the Thames, 1813. Over.
Erected by Kentucky Historical Society
The Story
At 'The Point,' where the Licking River meets the Ohio, Christopher Gist of the Ohio Company became in 1751 the first documented white man to set foot here. From this confluence Colonel John Bowman launched a 1777 expedition against the Shawnee, and in 1813 Governor Isaac Shelby gathered 4,000 Kentucky troops before his victory at the Thames.
Why it matters
This river junction was a hinge of the trans-Appalachian frontier, a staging ground for exploration, frontier warfare, and Kentucky's part in securing the Ohio Valley for the young nation.
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Related people
- ¡ Christopher Gist
- ¡ John Bowman
- ¡ Isaac Shelby
Related events
- ¡ Gist's arrival, 1751
- ¡ Bowman's expedition, 1777
- ¡ Battle of the Thames, 1813
Themes & tags
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