How did people get on a horse?
The courthouse lawn has horse mounting stones that early settlers used to climb onto their horses. Find them.
- Who
- Families, Kids
- Ages
- 4+
- Time
- 5 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- When
- Any time of year
- Show up
- On the courthouse lawn.
How to do it
- Find the Horse Mounting Stones plaque (1980) on the lawn (tour Stop 2).
- Our tour says the stones were moved here from North Franklin Avenue.
- Talk about what a trip to the square looked like when everyone came by horse or wagon.
Grown-ups’ part
Come along, keep it short and fun, and let the kids lead the looking and asking. You handle anything that involves calling, sending or sharing.
Think about it
What would the square need if everyone still came by horse? Where would they park?
Safety and respect
A grown-up comes along. The square is ringed by U.S. 64 (College St.) and U.S. 431 (Main Ave.): use crosswalks and watch for traffic. Don't climb on monuments.
Why it matters
Make history fun for families & kidsHistorical contextExploration & critical thinking
Related
- Our walking tour (each stop lists its own sources)
- Find the date on three markers
- Draw the square: 1886 and today
- Ask a grandparent: what was on the square?
- All 150 things to do together
Sources
Know better? If something here is wrong or out of date, tell us.
Did it? Send us your photo or story. We print kids’ first names, faces or photos only with a parent’s OK.