This woodcut of the Public Square in Lawrenceburg may be one of the oldest images of the city in existence. Although the picture’s origin is unclear, it has made appearances in several books about local history.

The image is not dated, but it gives us several clues as to its possible age.

The Mexican War Monument is shown in the foreground, with the county’s first permanent courthouse standing behind it. Absent from the courthouse is the bell-tower on the roof placed there after the Fire of 1898. But the fact that the courthouse stands a full three stories tells us that this image was created after 1850, when court minutes indicate that the third story was added to the building by the local masonic lodge.

This gives us a date range of between 1850 and 1898. If you take a closer look at the image, you can see details in the dress of the people there that give us yet another clue. The bustles on the dresses of the ladies are of a style which makes me think that this picture probably dates from the 1870s or 1880s. I could be wrong, as I am not an expert in historic clothing, but that is my best guess.

Regardless of the exact age of the image, it is a real treasure, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Photo Credit: Lawrence County Historical Society