NoD: Louisa's Wellman Hardware Epitomizes Victorian Architecture of Small Kentucky County Seat

Wellman Hardware - Louisa, Ky.

"Since 1879 because of you" reads the sign in front of the Wellman Hardware Store in the Louisa Commercial Historic District, though the Lawrence County business has been in different hands over its 130-plus year history.

The store was established by Augustus and Thomas Snyder. Thomas had arrived in Louisa in 1872 earning his keep primarily blacksmith shop but also engaging in general merchandise. The younger Augustus followed in 1876 from the family home in Barboursville, West Virginia and began to learn the blacksmithing trade from his elder brother. In 1879, they began to operate a hardware store which was finally incorporated some twenty years later. Both of the Snyder brothers became active in local civic and business activities, with Augustus Snyder spending a number of years as Louisa's progressive mayor. During his term, Louisa was much improved with the paving of its streets and other public improvements.

NoD: Union Mill Bridge Down for the Count

An Overgrown Union Mill Bridge; Photo by George W. Dean		Site of the old Union Mill Bridge; December 2011

In 1915, raging flood waters took from the Jessamine County community of Union Mill its covered bridge. The bridge connected the two sides of this community and provided a link between Nicholasville and the Valley View Ferry. Almost immediately, the Jessamine Fiscal Court awarded the contract for construction of a replacement bridge to Lexington's Empire Bridge Company. The new bridge was to be of steel truss at a price was $2,697.

Spring 2010;
Photo by George W. Dean

About forty years later, the 1915 bridge was abandoned when the road was rerouted slightly downstream. For over fifty years, the abandoned bridge experienced rising and receding waters as well as an annual vegetation that nearly hid the bridge itself. But the years took its toll. Photos by Magistrate George W. Dean reveals only 2 1/2 feet of bridge above the water leaving an entire "roadbed" submerged for several days during the floods in the spring of 2010 (see photo at left).

kernel: NORAD Confirms Santa Made Lexington Stop

According to NORAD's official Santa tracker, www.noradsanta.org, Santa made a stop in Lexington this evening. The Big Man even saw the old Courthouse and Lexington History Museum!

And from the look of things here, Santa made a quick visit to Nicholasville and undoubtedly other places around the Commonwealth!

 Merry Christmas!

kernel: Kentucky's Christmas Ornament Features the Governor's Mansion

2011 Commonwealth Christmas Ornament

Announced last month, the Commonwealth's Division of Historic Properties annual Christmas ornament features the Governor's Mansion this year. In a repeat of last year's state capitol ornament, K&M Crafts of Kentucky (Campbellsville) was selected to craft this year's ornament out of maple and cherry woods.

The ornament features a scale Governor's Mansion atop a pedestal which features the state seal and the signatures of both Governor and First Lady Beshear. The Beaux Arts villa, inspired by Marie Antoinette's La Petite Trianon, was completed in 1914.

KY360: Cheapside Park

I've profiled Cheapside Park, the old Courthouse, the John C. Breckinridge statue, the Fifth Third Bank pavilion, and other items before on #walkLEX. But I recently got a new iPhone app - Photosynth - and wanted to try it out (and probably use it often).


   

If you have an iPhone you should really consider getting this app -- it's free. Also,  let me know what you think!

walkLEX: Another Chapter Closing at Lexington's Oldest Post Office

Metropol at 307 West Short Street - Lexington, Ky.

Dr. John Shremly honored his uncle, Harry Schraemli, when he opened Metropol in 2000. This fine dining locale at 307 West Short Street has for eleven years offered delicious meals and fine drinks at its Harry's Bar (named after Uncle Harry).

Schraemli, who passed in 1995, was renowned in Europe for his gastronomy. This master in the culinary world wrote numerous books and publications; his Meistermixer remains the "bartenders bible across Europe." The European heritage of Metropol is easily visible from West Short as the building proudly displays the flags of France, Switzerland, Italy, and others alongside Old Glory.

307 W. Short St.
Bullock Collection

But the buildings themselves cannot be ignored as they have their own fantastic history. Constructed as a post office in 1836 (some records indicate construction occurred as early as 1825), 307 West Short is the oldest surviving post office in Lexington.

kernel: Shryock Family Legendary in Kentucky Architecture

Historic Marker #945 - Lexington, Ky.

The historic marker on the campus of Transylvania University's campus describes the "Architects Shryock" as the "best known surname in Kentucky architecture." The historic marker, #945 reads:

Best known surname in Kentucky architecture is Shryock." Family home, erected by Matthias Shryock (1774-1833), here. Designed first Episcopal church in city, 1814, and Mary Todd Lincoln home on W. Main. Son, Cincinnatus, born here, 1816. First Presbyterian Church, built 1872, considered his best. Also designed many homes. Died, 1888. Both buried in Lexington. Over.

(Reverse) Another Shryock - Gideon, "father of Greek revival movement in Ky. architecture," was also Matthias' son. Fine example of his classic style is Old State House, Frankfort, Ky., 1829. He also designed Morrison Hall on the Transylvania campus here, 1830, Jefferson County Courthouse in Louisville, Arkansas State Capitol, Little Rock, 1830's. Born here, 1802; buried Louisville, 1880.

This incredible family forever left its mark on Lexington and the entire Commonwealth, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful structures that have endured the generations. Their skill also greatly contributed to Lexington receiving the moniker "Athens of the West."

walkLEX: Bellini's Anchors a Block of Restoration

West Main Street (123; 119-115; 111-107; 105-101) - Lexington, Ky.
(The Same Block in April 2010 and circa 1920)

Opposite Centrepasture has again become one of downtown Lexington's grandest blocks. The block's renaissance kicked off when Bellini's opened in 2003. Its owners have restored the first floor of 115-119 West Main, a structure designed in the Italianate style by local architect Cincinnatus Shryock in 1869. This five-bay, three-story structure appears sufficient in height to be five stories. It is, however, its third floor ballroom that makes the structure so unique.

Surrounded on two-stories, the Shryock-designed building has beautiful round-top windows that allow an incredible amount of light onto the third floor ballroom. What is now a tremendous asset for Bellini's, but the space is a reminder of the building's original purpose. Atop is a French Second Empire Mansard roof that is incredibly unique for the region.

kernel: More Kentucky Sites Make the National Register

Parkview Motel - Bardstown, Ky.
(Photo from NRHP Application)

The day after Thanksgiving, the National Register of Historic Places accepted three Kentucky sites from the thirteen recommended by the Kentucky Heritage Council (eight were accepted the previous week). This round of approvals includes a school in Covington, a historic district in Harrodsburg and another hotel/motel in Bardstown.

NoD: UK Art Museum Can "See Blue"

Gallery at the UK Art Museum - Lexington, Ky.

If you are in any way affiliated or connected to the University of Kentucky, you are aware of their "see blue" campaign. Even if your only connection to UK is watching basketball games, you have undoubtedly seen the commercial which morphs the school, the city and the world blue. Well, in the words of Oscar Wilde, we are seeing "art imitate life" through an exhibit at the University of Kentucky Art Museum at the Singletary Center.

Through January 22, works from UK's permanent collection have been turned into an exhibit centered on (you guessed it) blue. It has been many years since I last ventured into the UK Art Museum which is tucked in a corner of the Singletary Center for the Arts, but I recently ventured in for a holiday party.

NoD: A Maysville Mansion, Phillips Folly

Phillips Folly - Maysville, Ky.

William B. Phillips began construction in 1825 of what was considered to be the largest home in Maysville. With twelve rooms, including six bedrooms, the home was built on a mortarless foundation - the condition of which continues to be examined for its quality. Without a doubt, Phillips was excited about his mansion; it is altogether likely that when the Marquis de Lafayette visited Maysville in 1825 that Phillips, who was in the receiving party, took the opportunity to show the Frenchman his plans. Yet, excitement is insufficient to bring about completion.

In 1828, the house was not completed and Phillips had insufficient funds to finish. Townspeople referred to the property as “Phillips’ Folly” for he had built beyond his means a home too grand. Without a word, Phillips left Maysville only to return two years later having won sufficient monies while gambling in New Orleans to finish his home. The house was finally completed in 1831 and is an amalgam of several architectural styles: a Federal façade, a Georgian two-story portico, stepped parapets in the “Dutch” or German tradition, windows attributed to the Greek Revivalist style and other qualities introduced after Phillips’ years in New Orleans.

NoD: Santa Claus arrives in small-town Kentucky

Santa Claus has made it to town - Nicholasville, Ky.

Last week, I wrote of Lexington's annual Christmas tree lighting which occurred the day after Thanksgiving. A week later, exurb Nicholasville had its own Christmas kick-off with its much smaller, small-town atmosphere. It is moments like this that make living in a smaller town so special.

A simple tree lighting ceremony was overseen by local officials before a crowd one-hundred strong. After the tree was lit, those gathered on the courthouse lawn peered down the recently redone Main Street. Although reindeer may have been more efficient, Santa Claus patiently took a more terrestrial approach to the courthouse by sitting in traffic aboard the recently restored Nicholasville Fire Dept. Engine No. 2.

walkLEX: Arena, Arts & Entertainment Task Force not making "little plans"

Model of a #FreeRupp

Last night, a public meeting was held for the Arena, Arts & Entertainment District (AAED). A lot of great ideas from the master planners at Space Group; lead architect Gary Bates led the presentation. As he pointed out, the concept of master planning - particularly in difficult economic times - must operate as a "slow cooker" -- with a master vision in mind and taking incremental steps along the way for a period of decades to accomplish the goal. A quote attributed to American architect Daniel Burnham was offered before the introduction of Mayor Gray:

Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably themselves will not be realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram once recorded will never die.

As a result, much of what what discussed last night was conceptual and not concrete. This process is not (at least yet) about building design but about planning a 46-acre district that would expand the downtown core, making her a more attractive,  livable place.