thekaintuckeean – Page 47 – The Kaintuckeean

What’s In a Name? History.

A number of local watering holes and restaurants around downtown Lexington have opened in recent years or are set to open soon – several with historic sounding names.

Least among them, Shakespeare and Co. opened in the old Clark Hardware Store last weekend. The “Victorian chic” restaurant reaches to circa 1600 with its name beckoning on of (if not the) greatest authors of the English language.

Local names, too, haven’t been ignored.

Nick Ryan’s Saloon on Jefferson Street adopted the same name as the saloon on North Mill Street circa 1905. It was then, in fact, a man named Nick Ryan who owned and operated his bar at what is now 120 North Mill Street.

More famously, the Jefferson Davis Inn was originally located at West High and Limestone where the Confederate President lived while attending Transylvania University. A popular pub until it closed in 1984, the JDI is being reborn again on South Broadway in a mixed use development between Cedar and Pine Streets.

And then there is Lexington’s most notable resident: Henry Clay. Clay owned the building on Jordan’s Row from which he practiced law across from the courthouse at an address which is now 110-112 North Upper Street. (This isn’t to be confused with the other existing Clay law office on North Mill Street.). There, work is finishing up on Henry Clay’s Public House which bills itself as an “old world style pub” where service will include ” a blend of todays and yesteryears classic cocktails, potations, and concoctions for the discerning bibulous patron, combined with a dash of american culture, historical heritage, and humorous anecdotes.”

Historical heritage is alive in Lexington and it is plainly evident in the naming of our new establishments.

Five Brews and Endless Possibilities at The Bread Box

West Sixth Brewing Company

Lexington’s newest brewery, West Sixth Brewing Company, is the flagship of The Bread Box which is a commercial redevelopment of the old Rainbo Bread Company building at Jefferson and Sixth Streets in the Northside Neighborhood. The oldest part of the building was constructd as the Holsum Bread Company in the 1890s. A series of renovations and hame changes (Honey-Krust, Rainbo) kept the bread factory going until it finally closed in the early 1990s.


The Breadbox, ca. 1919 (l) and 1940s (r). Photos courtesy West Sixth Brewing Company

Our tour occurred after a day of cooking beer – a seven hour process that will be followed by a couple weeks fermenting. Before long, the ancient recipe of water, grain, yeast, and hops will develop into one of the five craft brews produced at West Sixth: wheat, an IPA, an amber, a brown ale, and a stout are all excellent products worthy of more than a tasting. As Lexington’s mobile food truck develops, the location will be an excellent locale to get some tasty street food and a cold brew. Of course, there are other developments going on inside the Bread Box that will result in some other in-house food options.

Consider FoodChain – a non-profit fighting hunger and educating about urban indoor agricultural production. In a hands on way, they’ll be utilizing waste from the beer cooking process to feed the tanks of farm-raised tilapia. The CO2 produced by the tilapia will bubble up to the surface of the tanks where micro greens will grow. And, according to our tour guide, a local restauranteur will open later this year a walk-up fish restaurant using FoodChain product. I’m looking forward to some tasty fish-n-chips with my Sister Sue Stout.

Other groups calling the Bread Box home are Broke Spoke (a non-profit community bike shop), an artists’ cave, Cricket Press and the practice ring for the Roller Girls of Central Kentucky (ROCK). ROCK’s practice facility at 18,000 square feet is the largest room in the massive 90,000 square foot building.

The building’s scale, and some of its features, were exactly what the four guys who started it all wanted. Ben, Brady, Joe, and Robin wanted to start a brewery and searched Lexington for the right facility and found what the cavernous structure at West Sixth and Jefferson — already complete with a quality roof, fire code-satisfying sprinklers, a massive walk-in cooler and other features that would help expedite production. Production has moved along exceptionally fast and they are well ahead of expectations. Their IPA is a best seller and is the first canned craft beer in Kentucky – an accomplishment in scale since the minimum can order from the only vendor in the country is 100,000 units. The pallets, pictured at right, are only two of several scattered around the building. The can’s design is also acclaimed by Paste Magazine as one of the top craft brew labels in the country.

Adding to a growing beer scene in Lexington, the West Sixth Brewing Company is a welcome addition. The mission of its owners, culminating in The Bread Box, is also a huge boost for Lexington’s growing Northside. The area is destined to redevelop and hopefully other investors maintain the historic character that exists at 501 West Sixth.

Additional photos of The Bread Box and West Sixth Brewing Company are accessible on flickr. You really should check these out — the building is awesome!

The Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation hosts a monthly deTour for young professionals (and the young-at-heart) to a local historic site that has been well-preserved and restored – the group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Details are always available on Facebook! Our next meeting is Wednesday, June 6 where we will explore the historic Botherum on Madison Place in the Woodward Heights neighborhood! You can see Kaintuckeean write-ups on previous deTours by clicking here.

Annville Institute brought “Complete Living for the Mountain people”

Original Lincoln Hall, ca. 1915. Photo: Jackson Taylor. Source: KY Explorer.

Nine miles south of the Jackson County seat of McKee rests the community of Annville where the Reformed Church of America once had its college. Like so many communities across Kentucky, a “Campus Road” or similar name harkens back to an area when small, regional schools or colleges dotted the landscape — many in lieu of our modern high school which were often too far for students to reach, particularly in poor weather or at the time of the harvest. With dormitories on site, Annville was able to avoid these issues as well.

Lincoln Hall – Annville, Ky.
Source: NRHP Application.

Rev. William Worthington, instrumental in establishing and growing the school, had the purpose of “Complete Living for the Mountain people.” With the lens of political correctness, this mission statement may not seem appropriate, but considering the era the meaning is true: “to give the mountain people the best possible opportunity for the largest development for service in home, Church and state.”

The most notable building at the Annville Institute is Lincoln Hall, constructed in 1923 after a fire destroyed the original hall. The new Lincoln Hall is a Colonial Revival and would be more fitting or expected in Williamsburg, Va. than in Annville, Ky. Atop, the ten-foot square cupola features built-in arches, a metal dome and a presently-inoperable clock.

The school closed in 1978, but the property remains in the hands of the Reformed Church of America. They recently had the site added to the National Register of Historic Places and are working to convert Lincoln Hall into a cultural center. You can read more about what is going on at Annville with the good work of Jackson County Ministries which has operated the site as a field mission since the school closed.

Two Boone County Homes Added to National Register

Two Boone County homes – one in Belleview and one in Burlington – were recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Register is America’s official list of cultural places worthy of preservation and it is administered by the National Park Service. Nominations must be recommended by a state agency; in Kentucky, that is done by the Preservation Review Board and the Kentucky Heritage Council.

Locations are added to the National Register weekly and these two Boone County properties were listed at the end of February 2012.

Thomas Zane Roberts House and Workshop – Burlington, Ky.
Photo: Margo Warminski, Boone County Planning Commission
KY Heritage Council

The Thomas Zane Roberts House and Workshop (#12000042), located at 5074 Middle Creek Road in Burlington, is a picturesque farmhouse near the Ohio River. Its original owner and builder, Thomas Z. Roberts, was a master carpenter whose work shows in this frame two-and-one-half story temple-front dwelling that features an inset corner entry porch. Built in 1900, Roberts’ fine craftsmanship is evident in both his home and workshop – part of some 250 acres he once owned in the region.

It was here that Roberts – an inventor whose name is obscured by the more popularized Thomas Edison – spent time tinkering and inventing. Of all his creations, none were commercially adopted or patented (another reason why Edison is more renowned). Still, Roberts most notable creation was the Middle Creek Clock: a seven-foot tall walnut grandfather-style clock. Noted for its “intrinsic value as well as its extrinsic beauty,” the clock included a “Seth Thomas timepiece, a planetarium, a lunarium, and a dial showing the days of the week. … The planetarium contains an abbreviated model of the solar system, built to scale, and shows the earth’s position relative to Jupiter, Mars and Venus. “The orbit of each planet is precisely geared: while Venus gains one degree of arc in 1,656 days, Jupiter loses one degree of arc over 250 years.” The lunarium depicts the moon phase, and a dial indicates diurnal and nocturnal hours. The clock features an eight-day spring motor that sounds an alarm as it turns low and keeps ringing until attended.”

John J. Walton House – Belleview, Ky.
Photo: Margo Warminski, Boone County Planning Commission
KY Heritage Council

Belleview’s John J. Walton House (#12000041) is located at 5408 Belleview Road. It, along with its three outbuildings (a washhouse, a smokehouse and a corn crib) sit high atop a knoll about 1.5 miles east of the Ohio River.

Two stories tall, two bays wide and a room deep, the Walton House can clearly be seen as log construction given its impressive thirteen inch thick exterior walls. Built around 1840, the log pen construction was quite typical of the period’s regional architecture. In fact, the John J. Walton House is one of eight Boone County homes of log construction listed on the National Register.

It is worth noting that the three outbuildings described were not included in the nomination. Though described in the application, the buildings were not added to the National Register. They are, however, well-preserved examples of domestic outbuildings which are rarely in existence today thanks to obsolescence courtesy of rural electrification. It is rather peculiar that these outbuildings weren’t included, and I hope that this omission doesn’t lead toward lack of preservation.

Oldest Catholic Church in Eastern Kentucky

St. Therese Church – Heidelburg, Ky.

When considering the role of the Catholic Church in Kentucky outside the “golden triangle,” one immediately thinks of the central Kentucky region around Bardstown and Lebanon where many Catholics settled in the nineteenth century building a strong church and faith.

Original Church on Contrary Creek, ca. 1925

One, however, does not immediately think of the hills of eastern Kentucky. Although Catholic families can trace themselves to eastern Kentucky communities long before, it was not until 1927 that a Catholic church was established in eastern Kentucky. In Lee County’s Heidelburg community, four families established St. Therese at Contrary Creek “down in the holler.” Families worshipping there had as much as a two hour trek by foot to reach the small church by Contrary Creek.

In the 1940s, the decision was made to relocate the church onto the mountain above the holler. In 1948, the present wood frame clapped board church was constructed with its materials being reused from the old church on Contrary Creek. Its white siding and red roof are in stark contrast to the lush, green forest that surrounds it.

Regular services ceased in the 1990s and since 2001 the Catholic diocese of Lexington has designated St. Therese as an oratory, or house of prayer.

After recommendation by the Kentucky Heritage Council’s Preservation Review Board, the National Register of Historic Places included St. Therese Church into the register on February 28, 2012. With hope, this designation will enourage and promote preservation at this house of worship.

Sources: NRHP Application; Queen of All Sts. Parish
Photos: Ky. Heritage Council in the National Register Application

Forged by Fire: Ashland’s Calvary Church

Calvary Episcopal Church –
Ashland, Ky.

Thomas Underwood Dudley, the second Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kentucky, emphasized growth among the Episcopal church among the populations in eastern Kentucky and among African Americans. Despite the segregationist views prevalent in his day (and his own background as a Confederate veteran), Bishop Dudley sought an integrated church: “God hath made of one blood all nations of men.”

Efforts to grow the Episcopal Church in eastern Kentucky included the first recorded service in Ashland being presided by Bishop Dudley on February 2, 1885. From that service, a mission was formed in the diocese and from this group grew the Calvary Church. In March 1887, the Rev. W. H Hampton was called as the first minister of the parish. On September 8, 1888, Bishop Dudley laid the cornerstone and Rev. Hampton preached the first sermon in the Calvary Church which opened on Easter Sunday, 1889 for a congregation of 300. Architectural notes are limited, but this structure was described as an “eclectic brick and shingle” church.

Growth continued in the Ashland church and throughout the diocese, which as divided in 1896 with the Ashland church joining the newly formed Diocese of Lexington. Several transitions occurred during this diocesan split including the transfer of the Ashland School for Girls to Versailles where it became the Margaret Hall Church School for Girls. Disappointed at losing the school, the parish rector also departed in May 1898.

On July 3, 1898, Calvary’s first rector – W. H. Hampton – returned from Ironton, Ohio to administer the Holy Communion. Eight days later, the darkest days in the church’s hour came when the church was destroyed by fire. Only a few furnishings were salvageable.

Remarkably, a new cornerstone was laid ten days later. In June 1903, the new church was dedicated by the Bishop Burton of the Lexington Diocese. The building, a brick and stone Gothic structure, dominates its corner at Winchester Avenue and 14th Street. With its three story tower, stonework, battlements, and lancet window, the church building is traditionally Episcopalian.

A brick parish hall was built immediately to the sanctuary’s northwest after a 1979 fire caused $1 million in damage to a building donated to the church in 1975. Another fire struck the church in 1982. Despite its setbacks, the church remains strong as it searches for its new rector.

“It is a beautiful church, inhabited by a charming and cultured people and set in the midst of delightful surroundings.”
-H. P. Almon Abbott (1938)

Sources: Calvary Church; EpiscopalKY; Fiftieth Anniversary Church History (1938); Kentucky Historic Resources Inventory; NRHP Application (Ashland Commercial Historic District) Sunday Independent (11/16/1987). Special thanks to Marty Perry of the Kentucky Heritage Council and Lisa Pullem, the Convenor of Calvary’s Rector Search Committee, for their assistance in gathering the research for this post.

Henry Clay Law Office

Henry Clay Law Office – Lexington, Ky.

Historic preservationists are often faced with a difficult question: which version of history should we preserve? A great illustration of this question exists on Lexington’s North Mill Street. The Henry Clay Law Office, which is the home of the Henry Clay Center for Statesmanship, is a one story brick building adjacent to First Presbyterian Church. Henry Clay had the building constructed in 1803 as his law firm while he and his wife, Lucretia, lived across the street.

The building served as Clay’s law office until September 1810. While there, Clay was elected to the successive terms in the Kentucky legislature from 1803 to 1809 and was twice named (1807 and 1810) to fill unexpired terms in the United States Senate. Clay, the “Great Compromiser,” continued to grow in stature and prestige after he left his Mill Street office.

Henry Clay Law Office, ca. 1934
Photo: J. Winston Coleman, Jr. Special
Collection, Transylvania University

Despite its famous occupant, there is little architecturally significant about this small 22 by 20 foot structure. An 1830 addition encapsulated the little, old law office into a larger two-story structure but left intact the four walls, floorboards and chimney.

The building, circa 1830, is fairly historic in its own right even if it does envelops a structure twenty-seven years its senior? Preservationists in this case opted for the older structure which was tied to the building’s most important occupant.

In the late 1960s, the adjacent church owned the land and was prepared to raze the two-story structure when preservationists and the Commonwealth of Kentucky stepped in. Recognizing the historic value, the Commonwealth acquired the building and carefully demolished the 1830 exterior to uncover the good condition of the 1803 building. Through 1971, a detailed restoration took place that involved the turning of each exterior brick on the building. This was done because the clapboard siding once attached had damaged the brick’s then-exterior; now turned, the inside faces out and the building looks its original, 1803 self. Ultimately, the same church that once sought to demolish the building reacquired it and used it for various purposes before leasing it to the Center for Statesmanship.

Sources: Lex H-L; NPS; NRHP

The Bluegrass Trust for Historic Preservation hosts a monthly deTour for young professionals (and the young-at-heart). The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Details are always available on Facebook! Our next meeting is Wednesday, May 2 where we will explore The Bread Box (501 W. Sixth St.)! Join us by meeting at West Sixth Brewing Company!! You can see Kaintuckeean write-ups on previous deTours by clicking here.

Veiled and Unveiled: Hunt-Morgan House Gets a New Historic Marker

Veiled Historic Marker – Lexington, Ky.

This evening, the new historic marker at Lexington’s Hunt-Morgan House was formally unveiled. The old marker, the venerable #3, was over fifty years old, difficult to read, and factually inaccurate. Thanks to some generous gifts and the good work of the Blue Grass Trust and the Morgan’s Men Association, we now have a much more informative history in front of the beautiful 1814 Federal at the northwest corner of Second and Mill streets:

HUNT-MORGAN HOUSE
1814 Federal-style home, named Hopemont, retains original architectural features, including a cantilevered staircase & fanlight window. Saved from demolition by the Blue Grass Trust in 1955. Built by John Wesley Hunt (1773-1849), a philanthropist and the first millionaire west of the Allegheny Mountains.

(Reverse) Inherited by daughter, Henrietta Hunt Morgan, mother of Brigadier General John Hunt Morgan (1825-1864), known as the “Thunderbolt of the Confederacy.” Birthplace of John Wesley Hunt’s great grandson, Dr. Thomas Hunt Morgan (1866-1945), known as the “Father of Modern Genetics” and the first Kentuckian to win a Nobel Prize (1933).

More text and photos after the jump…

At the bottom of each side, the marker reminds us of its own history: “Update of original KY Historical Marker #3.” The old #3? A much shorter history (text after the photo):

Old Historic Marker – Lexington, Ky.

Since you can’t read that, it says:

Home of John Hunt Morgan, “Thunderbolt of the Confederacy.” Born Huntsville, Alabama, June 1, 1825. Killed Greeneville, Tennessee, September 4, 1864. Lieutenant, Kentucky Volunteers in Mexican War 1846-1847. Major General, C.S.A., 1861-1864.

Despite its own challenges, this old #3 (historic in its own right) will soon be displayed in the gardens of the Hunt-Morgan House. Now without further adieu, the new historic marker at the Hunt-Morgan House:

Hunt Morgan House Historic Marker Unveiling - Lexington, Ky.

Foster and Brenda Pettit Unveil the New Historic Marker – Lexington, Ky.

Check out these other pictures from the unveiling and of the historic Hunt-Morgan House.

Dr. Walter Warfield Building Central to Lexington Commerce

Dr. Walter Warfield Building – Lexington, Ky.

John Jordan, Jr. was a major nineteenth century Lexington merchant who owned most of the property fronting the courthouse square along Upper Street. The block between Short and Main streets was known as Jordan’s Row. At the northern end of the block is the Dr. Walter Warfield Building which was built around 1806.

Dr. Warfield was a noted surgeon from the Revolutionary War from Maryland who ultimately settled in the Bluegrass as a “highly esteemed and excellent citizen.” As with any “esteemed and excellent citizen” of the day, Warfield amassed significant land holdings in the region.

From his sister-in-law, Elizabeth Christian Dickerson, Warfield purchased 1,000 acres in 1805. This land was situated in what is now both Fayette and Scott counties. Ms. Dickerson had inherited the land from her father (William Christian) in 1786; he had acquired the land (and 8,000 other acres) by grant from Virginia Governor Patrick Henry in 1779. After being sold, inherited, and divided, these acres have had a storied history with storied names in the equine industry. Today, however, much of Warfield’s acreage is now owned by the Commonwealth of Kentucky as part of the Kentucky Horse Park.

Downtown, Dr. Warfield had built a two-story brick building in the late-Georgian style. An 1870 remodel added the notable Mansard roof and dormers creating a third-story. A number of changes through the years have made it difficult to imagine the building’s original appearance, but some clues linger. The stone belt-course between the first and second floors, the lovely keystones over the second-story windows, and a sliver of the original stone water-table remains between the main entrance and the plain shop window.


1970s (Photo: NRHP)		Today

Over the years, the building has had many varying occupants. For those who have worked downtown for years, the corner diner has taken many names. In the 1930s, it was Southern Brothers. In the 1940s, Wallace Brothers. For many years, it was A Family Affair (see 1970s photo, above). Currently it houses Della’s Diner, an excellent source of grilled chefs and inexpensive comfort diner foods in a setting that is both clean and quintessentially diner.

The National Register listing also includes 148 West Short Street, a mid-19th century Greek Revival with gable roof and storefronts. Two story with 9 bays, a number of shops have called the building home for many, many years. The Dr. Walter Warfield Building has been and continues to be central to Lexington’s center of commerce.

Sources: Downtown Inventory; NRHP

“The Worst Kept Secret in Lexington” – First National 21C is Coming to Town

Steve Wilson at the 21C Announcement – Lexington, Ky.

When Mayor Gray took to the podium, he formally announced what he described as “the worst kept secret in Lexington: 21C is coming to town!” Gray spoke of a decision made by the directors of the Fayette National Bank one hundred years ago this month (April 25, 1912). They opted to erect a fifteen story skyscraper at the northeast corner of Main and Upper Streets. The building would be the tallest in Kentucky outside of Louisville.

Gray took a pause from his remarks as the bell at the old Courthouse rang ten times as if to honor each of the decades since that 1912 decision.

After Mayor Gray left the podium, owner/visionary/philanthropist Steve Wilson took the podium. Amid laughter, he discussed the ubiquitous red penguin that marks the 21C brand. Wilson and his wife/business partner Laura Lee Brown knew that a red penguin wouldn’t fly in Lexington so he quickly presented to the assembled crowd the Italian designed blue penguin (pictured above).

Fayette National Bank Building – Lexington, Ky.

The Fayette National Bank Building is in the Beaux-Arts classical design. Under its new 21C brand, it will house a contemporary art museum, approximately 80 hotel rooms, a restaurant, meeting rooms, ballroom and bar.

The building was completed in 1914 and it is anticipated that 21C will begin work later this year with completion one hundred years later in 2014.

Architecturally, the building is divided into three distinct vertical tiers spread across four bays.The first four stories are of Bedford limestone with 2 pairs of Ionic columns stretching three floors to create an impressive, yet approachable Main Street frontage. The top four floors of the building act as a cap with beautiful three-story arched windows. Although the middle floors are a non-descript shaft, the top and bottom tiers give the building incredible beauty and character. More of the buildings history, architecture, etc. can be found on my earlier post.

A lot of the history and promise of the future was captured in a fantastic video by Bullhorn which was shown by the Mayor at the announcement:

Other details are emerging about this exciting project. Check out B&P, Beverly Fortune and KyForward for the latest. Also, a special mention to WKYT for the incredible photography featured in their on-air story:

Sometimes, it’s nice to see your “name” on air.