Jefferson Davis State Historic Site Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Jefferson Davis Monument
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Northern View
Location in Kentucky Show map of Kentucky Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	Fairview, Kentucky
Built	1917–1924
Architect	S.F. Crecelius, Sr. Engineer; G.R. Gregg, Contractor
NRHP reference No.	73000849
Added to NRHP	May 9, 1973

The Jefferson Davis Monument State Historic Site is a special park in Fairview, Kentucky. It marks the birthplace of Jefferson Davis. He was the president of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. The main feature of the park is a huge concrete tower called an obelisk. It stands 351-foot (107.0 m) tall. In 1973, people thought it was the fourth-tallest monument in the United States. It was also the tallest one made completely of concrete.

Building the Monument: A Look at Its History
Exploring the Park: What to See and Do
Monument Facts: Size and Comparisons
- World Records for Concrete Structures
- Comparing its Height to Other Monuments
Gallery
See also

Building the Monument: A Look at Its History

How the Idea for the Monument Started

The idea for this monument came from Simon Bolivar Buckner, Sr.. He was a general in the Confederate Army. He first suggested building a monument for Davis in 1907. This was during a meeting of the Orphan Brigade, a group of Confederate soldiers.

Construction Challenges and Completion

Building the monument started in 1917. However, work stopped in 1918. This was because of World War I, which made building materials hard to get. At that time, the monument was 175 feet (53 m) tall. Construction began again in January 1922. The monument was finally finished in 1924. It cost about $200,000 to build.

Materials and Design of the Obelisk

The monument's base rests on strong limestone rock. Limestone from the park site was used to build it. The concrete walls are 8.5 feet (2.6 m) thick at the bottom. They get thinner towards the top, measuring 2.5 feet (0.76 m) thick. In 1973, the monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes important historical sites.

Renovations and Visitor Access

The obelisk was closed for repairs from 1999 to May 2004. During this time, a new visitor center was also built. At the very top of the monument, there is an observation room. It has a window on each of its four sides. When it was first built, visitors had to climb stairs to reach this room. An elevator was added in 1929. Now, it takes visitors up and down to the observation room.

Exploring the Park: What to See and Do

About the Jefferson Davis State Historic Site

The Jefferson Davis State Historic Site is one of eleven historic sites in Kentucky. These sites are small parks. The Kentucky Department of Parks takes care of them. This park covers 19 acres (7.7 ha) of land. It has open and covered areas for picnics. There is also a playground for visitors to enjoy.

Visitor Center and Tours

At the park's visitor center, you can learn more. There is a museum where you can watch a video. This video tells about Jefferson Davis's life. It also explains how the monument was built. You can take guided elevator tours of the monument every day.

Souvenirs and Park Hours

The visitor center also has a gift shop. You can buy books and souvenirs there. These items are about Jefferson Davis and the American Civil War. They also feature the local area and Kentucky crafts. The park is open from May 1st until October 31st each year.

Monument Facts: Size and Comparisons

World Records for Concrete Structures

The Jefferson Davis Monument is the tallest concrete structure in the world without steel reinforcement. No steel was used in its concrete walls below the top pyramid shape. Large pieces of limestone were left sticking out from one section. This helped connect it strongly to the next section built above. It is also the tallest concrete obelisk anywhere in the world.

Comparing its Height to Other Monuments

This monument is the fifth tallest in the United States. It is shorter than the Gateway Arch (630 feet (190 m)). It is also shorter than the San Jacinto Monument (567 feet (173 m)). The Washington Monument (555 feet (169 m)) and the Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial (352 feet (107 m)) are also taller. The Crazy Horse Memorial, which is still being built, is planned to be 563 feet (172 m) tall. Around the world, other monuments are even taller. These include the Great Pyramid of Giza and Khafre's Pyramid. The Spring Temple Buddha and Ushiku Daibutsu are also taller.