Historic farm site featuring a reconstructed log cabin, interpretive trails, and a seasonal visitor center commemorating the early childhood years of a future U.S. president.

How to Get There

From Bardstown, KY (30 mi): Take US-31E S toward Hodgenville, continue past the town center, and follow signs for Knob Creek on Bardstown Road to reach the Boyhood Home Unit.

Overview

The Abraham Lincoln Boyhood Home Unit at Knob Creek preserves the land where Lincoln spent five formative years of his early childhood. After a land dispute forced the Lincolns to leave Sinking Spring Farm, they moved to Knob Creek in 1811, where young Abraham developed his earliest memories. The site includes a reconstructed log cabin, symbolic of the one the family lived in, and the Knob Creek Tavern Visitor Center, which once served as a restaurant and museum. Interpretive trails wind through the surrounding fields and woodlands, offering visitors a glimpse into the rugged frontier life that shaped Lincoln’s character.

Now part of the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, the Knob Creek Unit was added in 2001 thanks to local preservation efforts. The site is quieter and more rustic than the Birthplace Unit, making it ideal for reflection and exploration. Seasonal programs and ranger-led tours provide historical context, while the Overlook Trail offers scenic views of the Knob Creek Valley. Whether you're a history buff or a casual traveler, the Boyhood Home Unit offers a meaningful connection to the early life of one of America’s most influential leaders.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, which are released under the https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.