Knob Creek Farm facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lincoln Boyhood Home
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The "Gollaher Cabin" sits on the site where Lincoln lived
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 Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Athertonville, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Thompson, Robert |
| Architectural style | Single pen log cabin |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002531 |
| Added to NRHP | November 16, 1988 |
Knob Creek Farm is a special place that was once home to Abraham Lincoln when he was a young boy. It's now a separate part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park. Lincoln lived here from 1811 to 1816, and he later said it was his "earliest memory." This farm is located in Kentucky, and it helps us understand more about the early life of a future President of the United States.
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Lincoln's Childhood Home
Knob Creek Farm became a part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park in 2001. Before that, it was owned by private families. Abraham Lincoln, who would later become president, lived here as a child. He lived on the farm from 1811 to 1816. Lincoln himself remembered this place as his very first memory.
The farm covers about 228 acres, but the Lincoln family lived on about 30 acres of it. Lincoln's father, Thomas Lincoln, rented this land. He hoped to get back their old farm, Sinking Spring Farm, where Abraham Lincoln was born. Knob Creek Farm was located near an old trail, which is now a highway called U.S. 31E.
Life at Knob Creek
Many important events happened to young Abraham Lincoln at Knob Creek. His baby brother, Thomas, was born here but sadly passed away. Lincoln himself almost had a terrible accident at the farm. He nearly drowned in the nearby creek. Luckily, his neighbor and friend, Austin Gollaher, saved him. Austin reached out a branch to pull Abraham from the fast-moving water.
In December 1816, when Lincoln was almost eight years old, his family moved. They went to a new home in Indiana. That Indiana homestead is now a protected area called the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
The Lincoln Cabin
The actual cabin where the Lincolns lived at Knob Creek was later moved. Austin Gollaher, the friend who saved Lincoln from drowning, took it apart. He used the logs from the old home to build a horse stable. This stable was about a mile down the road. Years later, a flood washed the stable away.
Historic Buildings at the Farm
Today, there are two important historical buildings at Knob Creek Farm. These are the Lincoln Tavern and the Gollaher Cabin.
The Lincoln Tavern
The Lincoln Tavern was built in 1933. It cost about $4,200 to build. This building has one and a half floors and was made from logs and concrete. The tavern was built to attract tourists. Many people came to LaRue County to see places connected to Abraham Lincoln.
The tavern was first a dance hall where drinks were served. But in 1942, LaRue County became "dry," meaning alcohol could not be sold. So, the tavern changed into a museum and gift shop. It stayed that way until it closed in 1998. During the 1980s, about 20,000 people visited the farm every year.
The Gollaher Cabin
The Gollaher Cabin was built around the year 1800. It was moved to its current spot to show what the Lincoln family's cabin might have looked like. This cabin was the home of Austin Gollaher's family. They lived there when Lincoln was staying at Knob Creek Farm.
National Recognition
Knob Creek Farm was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 16, 1988. It received this honor because of its important role in tourism in LaRue County, Kentucky. It was also recognized for its strong connections to Abraham Lincoln's early life.
Gallery
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Knob Creek
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Knob Creek Tavern
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South view of tavern
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Back view of tavern
Images for kids
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Symbolic log cabin in memorial building
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Location map of Lincoln's birthplace (Sinking Spring Farm) lower left, and boyhood home (Knob Creek Farm) upper right, near Hodgenville, Kentucky. The two Park locations are almost 10 miles (16 km) apart on U.S. Route 31E
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The spring the farm was named after.
See also
In Spanish: Parque histórico nacional lugar de nacimiento de Abraham Lincoln para ni%C3%B1os
