Corner in Celebrities Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Corner in Celebrities Historic District
|
|
Corner in Celebrities Historic District in Frankfort, Kentucky.
|
|
 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Roughly bounded by Kentucky River on S and W, St. Clair and Main Sts., Frankfort, Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Built | 1800 |
| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Federal, Georgian, Gothic Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000343 |
| Added to NRHP | March 11, 1971 |
The Corner in Celebrities Historic District is a special neighborhood in Frankfort, Kentucky. It's called a "historic district" because many important people once lived in its houses. This area is home to former residences of famous figures like George M. Bibb, Benjamin G. Brown, James Brown, John Brown, John J. Crittenden, Thomas Crittenden, James Harlan, John Marshall Harlan, Robert P. Letcher, William Lindsay, Thomas Metcalfe, Charles Slaughter Morehead, William Owsley, Hugh Rodman, Charles S. Todd, Thomas Todd, George G. Vest, John C. Watson, and Simeon Willis. In 1971, this district was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, recognizing its importance.
Contents
Frankfort's Beginnings: How the Capital City Started
The city of Frankfort, Kentucky, began in 1786. It was built on about 100 acres (40 ha) of land next to the Kentucky River. This land belonged to General James Wilkinson. In 1792, Kentucky became the fifteenth state in the United States. Soon after, Frankfort was chosen to be the state capital.
Wapping Street: A Historic Path Through Frankfort
Wapping Street is a main road in northern Frankfort. It runs east and west, right beside the Kentucky River. This street goes through the heart of the Corner in Celebrities historic district. An Englishman named John Instone, who missed his home, named the street. He named it after the "Old Wapping Stairs" in London, England.
Thomas Todd House: Home of a Supreme Court Justice
The Thomas Todd House is located at 320 Wapping Street. This house was built in 1812 in the Federal style. Later, some Victorian style features were added to it.
Thomas Todd fought in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. After the war, he studied law and land surveying. In 1784, Todd moved to Kentucky. He worked as a clerk for five meetings about Kentucky becoming a state. After becoming a lawyer in 1788, Todd served as a clerk for the Kentucky House of Representatives.
In 1799, the Kentucky Supreme Court was created. Todd became its chief clerk. Kentucky Governor James Garrard then appointed Todd as a judge on the court. Five years later, he became the Chief Justice of the Kentucky Court. In 1807, U.S. President Thomas Jefferson appointed Todd to the Supreme Court of the United States. He served there until he passed away in 1826. Even as a Supreme Court Justice, Todd stayed involved in local and state matters.
In 1818, Todd bought the house on Wapping Street. He lived there with his second wife, Lucy Payne Washington. She was the sister of Dolley Madison. Todd died on February 7, 1826. He was first buried in the Innes family cemetery. Later, he and his wife were reburied at Frankfort Cemetery.
Vest-Lindsey House: A Senator's Childhood Home
The Vest-Lindsey House is found at 401 Wapping Street. This large, twelve-room Federal style house was built around 1798. This makes it one of Frankfort's oldest homes. It was the childhood home of George Graham Vest, who became a United States Senator. Vest served in the Senate for 25 years. He is famous for saying, "Dog is man's best friend," during a trial.
In 1846, Daniel Lindsey bought the house from Vest. Lindsey was a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He also served as Kentucky's Adjutant General. The Lindsey family owned the house until 1965. Then, the Commonwealth of Kentucky bought it.
Bibb-Burnley House: Known as Gray Gables
The Bibb-Burnley House is also known as Gray Gables. It is located at 411 Wapping Street.
In 1856, John Bibb moved to Frankfort. He had been elected to the Kentucky Legislature. Bibb bought property on Wapping Street that had an old house built by John Instone. This was one of the first houses in town. Bibb then built a new, twenty-one-room Gothic Revival house on the site. He used materials from the original structure.
Mary Anne Burnley, Bibb's niece, lived in the house. She loved culture and the arts. Because of her, the house became connected with several famous writers and musicians. These included John Fox, Jr. and Robert Burns Wilson.
Other Notable Homes on Wapping Street
Many other important buildings are part of this historic district on Wapping Street:
- Rodman-Hewitt House (built around 1817) — This two-story brick Federal style home is named for two past owners: Hugh Rodman and CSA officer Fayette Hewitt.
- Carneal-Watson House (built around 1855) — This brick Greek Revival home is named for Thomas Carneal and John C. Watson.
- Graham Vreeland House (built around 1913) — Also called "Vauxhall" or "Garden Hall," this Georgian architecture mansion had all the newest technology of its time. It was built for Graham Vreeland, who started and edited the longest-running local newspaper.
- South-Willis House (built around 1875) — This home is named for its first owner, John Glover South, and a later owner, Governor Simeon Willis.
- Pruett House (built around 1928) — This was the home of the Pruett family. In 1966, Rebecca Pruett, a daughter, wrote a book called The Browns of Liberty Hall.
- The Old Post Office (built around 1887) — This is a large building with Victorian and French Empire design.
- Good Shepherd Parish (built in 1850) — This is a Gothic Revival architecture church building.
Wilkinson Street: Named for Frankfort's Founder
Wilkinson Street is another important road in Frankfort. It is named after the town's founder, General Wilkinson. He used to run a ferry on the Kentucky River where the street begins. Wilkinson Street runs north through the Corner in Celebrities historic district.
Crittenden-Garrard House: A Home of Generals and Treasurers
The Crittenden-Garrard House, also known as the Hoge House, is at 302 Wilkinson Street. This Federal style building was built around 1810. Early owners included Frankfort Judge Jacob Swigert and his wife Rebecca. In 1855, they sold the house to Thomas Crittenden. Crittenden, the son of John J. Crittenden, was a Major General for the Union Army in the American Civil War. He also served as U.S. Consul to Liverpool and later as Kentucky State Treasurer.
In 1859, James H. Garrard bought the property. He was the grandson of Kentucky's second Governor. James H. Garrard was also a General for the Union Army in the Civil War. He represented several counties in the Kentucky Constitutional Convention. From 1857 to 1865, Garrard was the Kentucky State Treasurer.
After James Garrard's death, his wife Letitia continued to live in the home. The Garrard family owned the property until 1902. Then, it was sold to Callaway Hoge, wife of Will H. Hoge. The Hoge family kept the home until after 1944.
Liberty Hall Historic Site: Two Historic Homes and Gardens
The Liberty Hall Historic Site is located at 202 and 218 Wilkinson Streets. It covers a whole city block, featuring two historic homes and 4 acres of gardens. Liberty Hall, built in 1796, was the home of John Brown, one of Kentucky's first Senators. The Orlando Brown House was built in 1835 for his son.
Today, Liberty Hall Historic Site is a learning center. It helps people explore the history, politics, and daily life of early Kentucky. You can learn through the homes, gardens, documents, and items of Senator John Brown and his family. The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America owns and operates the site. The homes and museums are open to the public during certain seasons.
Images for kids
-
Corner in Celebrities Historic District in Frankfort, Kentucky.
-
Thomas Todd House
-
Vest-Lindsey House
-
Bibb-Burnley House
-
Crittenden-Garrard House
