Armstrong Row facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Armstrong Row
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | 207–227 W. 2nd St., Maysville, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1820–1833 |
| Architectural style | Federal and Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001818 |
| Added to NRHP | March 1, 1984 |
Armstrong Row is a unique collection of 11 brick houses located in Maysville, Kentucky. These historic homes were built between 1820 and 1833. They were the vision of John Armstrong, a local businessman who was very active in developing Maysville.
Contents
What is Armstrong Row?
Armstrong Row is a series of connected houses, known as row houses. They are made of brick and have two stories. Each house has a special roof style called a gable roof. The buildings also feature stepped walls on the sides, called parapet walls.
Architectural Styles
The houses show two popular building styles from their time:
- The Federal style
- The Greek Revival style
Even though the houses look similar, their roofs have slightly different slopes. This suggests they might have been built by different people or over a longer period of time.
Who Was John Armstrong?
John Armstrong was the person behind Armstrong Row. He was born in Ireland in 1779. Around 1790, he moved to America with his family.
Armstrong's Early Life in Maysville
John Armstrong bought his first property in Maysville in 1800. He purchased it from Jacob Boone, who was a cousin of the famous explorer Daniel Boone. John Armstrong later became very successful by running several large stores on Front Street.
Armstrong's Business Ventures
John Armstrong was a very busy and successful businessman. He owned a company that ran the Maysville cotton mill. This company later became known as the January & Wood Company, and it operated until 2003.
Armstrong also built other row house projects in Maysville. These included:
- Federal style row houses on Limestone Street
- Mechanic's Row
- The "Allen Block"
John Armstrong's Impact on Maysville
John Armstrong played a huge role in the early growth of Maysville. He was a leader in many important projects that helped the city develop.
Key Contributions to the City
- He was the first person to sign a request to move the county seat to Maysville. The county seat is the main town where government offices are located.
- He was part of the group that built the Maysville and Lexington Turnpike. A turnpike was an important road that people paid to use.
- In 1818, he helped start the first bank in Kentucky, right there in Maysville.
- He was on the committee that welcomed General Lafayette to Maysville in 1825. Lafayette was a French hero who helped America during the Revolutionary War.
