Abraham Lincoln famously recounted nearly drowning in the nearby Knob Creek as a young boy, having been rescued by a friend named John Austin.
The Lincoln family resided at this specific site from 1811 until 1816, moving only when a land title dispute forced them to relocate to Indiana.
The cabin currently on-site is a reconstruction built from original 19th-century logs, though it was moved to this location from elsewhere in LaRue County.
This location served as the Lincoln family's primary homestead, where Abraham's younger brother, Thomas, was born and subsequently died as an infant.
The farm’s location along the bustling Bardstown-Louisville Turnpike exposed young Lincoln to significant traffic, including enslaved people being transported south.
The Knob Creek Farm unit, commonly known as the Kentucky Boyhood Home, represents the site where Abraham Lincoln lived from age two until seven. This location is part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, though it is situated approximately 10 miles northeast of the main birthplace memorial. The grounds feature a reconstructed late 18th-century cabin intended to replicate the type of home Lincoln occupied during his formative years. Visitors can observe the natural terrain that shaped Lincoln’s early life, including the creek where he famously fell and was rescued from drowning. The site includes educational signage detailing the family's agricultural efforts during their residence. It remains one of the few tangible sites connected to Lincoln's early childhood beyond his actual place of birth.
The elevated view of the reconstructed cabin framed by the surrounding trees and the distant creek.
Check the National Park Service website before departure, as this unit's visitor services are limited compared to the main Birthplace Unit.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes as the terrain consists of unpaved trails and natural grounds.
Bring insect repellent during the summer months, as the creek-side location can be damp.
Do not confuse this location with the main Birthplace Unit, which houses the Memorial Building and Sinking Spring.
The site is typically closed during the winter months; visitors should verify seasonal opening dates via the official National Park Service website.
Stay on marked trails to protect the historical landscape and observe posted signage regarding the preservation of the cabin structures.
