Bardstown Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Bardstown Historic District
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The 1892 County Courthouse, now the Bardstown Visitor Center
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Bardstown, Kentucky |
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| Architectural style | Georgian, Federal |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002837 |
| Added to NRHP | February 17, 1983 |
The Bardstown Historic District is a special area in the center of Bardstown, Kentucky. It's officially recognized as a historic place on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's important to history and worth protecting.
This district includes many famous buildings. Some of these are the Cobblestone Path, the Nelson County Jail, the Old L & N Station, the Old Talbott Tavern, and Spalding Hall. Each of these buildings is also listed on the National Register. The old Nelson County Courthouse is another important historic building here.
The district covers twenty-six city blocks and has 279 properties. More than a third of these buildings show off Federal or Georgian styles of architecture. They were built between the 1780s and 1850. This shows how old Bardstown is, as it was one of Kentucky's first towns. It was settled in 1780 and officially started in 1788. Twenty-four of the blocks still follow the original street plan from 1797.
Contents
Discovering Bardstown's Past
How Did Bardstown Begin?
Bardstown was first settled in 1780 by 33 people. The land, about 1,000 acres, was given to John Owings and David Bard. This gift came from Virginia's governor, Patrick Henry. The town was first going to be called Salem.
David Bard sent his brother, William Bard, to look after the land. William gave 2 acres of land for a courthouse. Because of his gift, the town was renamed Bardstown. By 1789, 150 log houses had been built in the area.
Bardstown's Growth and Changes
Before the Civil War, Bardstown became a cultural hub for nearby communities. It was especially important for Catholic families. For a time, Bardstown had the largest number of Catholic residents in Kentucky.
The town's growth slowed down when the Louisville and Nashville Railroad didn't build a train line to Bardstown right away. A railroad finally reached the town in 1860. The line wasn't extended further until 1887. After this, Bardstown's population stayed steady. It later became a major center for making a special type of whiskey.
Bardstown During the Civil War
During the American Civil War, commanders from both the Union and Confederate armies used buildings in the district as their headquarters. This shows the town's importance during that time.
Important Buildings and Landmarks
The Old Nelson County Courthouse
The Old Courthouse is right in the middle of the historic district. It is surrounded by US 31E and US 150. This building was finished in 1892 and cost $30,000 to build. Today, it serves as the Visitor Center for Bardstown. A new courthouse was built where the first Wal-Mart in Bardstown used to be.
Protecting Bardstown's History
Thanks to the Nelson County Historical Society and special zoning laws from 1965, much of the district still looks historical. Only a few modern commercial buildings are found along Third Street. This street is also known as Louisville Road. It eventually leads to Louisville, where it's called Bardstown Road.
By the 1980s, over 200,000 tourists visited Bardstown each year. This number has grown steadily. People are drawn to events like the Kentucky Bourbon Festival and attractions like My Old Kentucky Home State Park. This park is located on the next hill to the east of the historic district.
Presidential Visit to Bardstown
In 1979, United States President Jimmy Carter held a town hall meeting right in the historic district. This was a big event for the town.
Gallery
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Shops along 3rd Street
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Historic old stone jail
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Farmer's Bank & Trust
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Backview of old Court House
Images for kids
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President Jimmy Carter visiting Bardstown in 1979
