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Francis M. Stafford House facts for kids

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Francis M. Stafford House
F.M. Stafford House.jpg
Francis M. Stafford House is located in Kentucky
Francis M. Stafford House
Location in Kentucky
Francis M. Stafford House is located in the United States
Francis M. Stafford House
Location in the United States
Location 102 Broadway,
Paintsville, Kentucky
Area 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built c. 1843 (Rear Segment)
c. 1888 (Front Segment)
Architectural style Late Victorian
NRHP reference No. 75000785
Added to NRHP October 29, 1975

The Francis M. Stafford House is a very old and important house. It is located at 102 Broadway Street in Paintsville, Kentucky, United States. This house is special because of its beautiful design. It is also important because of the Stafford family. They helped start and grow the city of Paintsville.

The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This list includes buildings that are important to history. The Stafford family was very important to Paintsville. In 1843, John Stafford, who first owned the house, helped create the city. Later, in the 1930s, the Stafford family sold a large part of their farm to the city. This made Paintsville twice as big!

History of the Stafford House

F.M. Stafford House closeup
Closeup of the detailed work on the porches

The back part of the house was built around 1843. The front part was added later, around 1888. This makes it the oldest house in Johnson County. John Stafford built the first part of the home. After he passed away in 1869, his son, Francis M. Stafford, took over the property. Francis also built the main, front part of the house. This is why the house is named after him.

At one time, the Stafford farm was very large. It had many other buildings. These included a smokehouse, a store house, and a coal house. There were also several barns and a corn crib. A grist mill was located near the house on Paint Creek.

A special holly tree was planted in front of the house in 1861. This tree is still standing there today!

After May Stafford, Francis M. Stafford's daughter, passed away in 1979, the house became empty. In 2003, the state of Kentucky offered money to Paintsville. This money was for buying and fixing up the old house. But on July 12, 2003, the Paintsville City Council decided not to take the money.

In April 2010, a person from nearby Floyd County bought the house. They spent two years fixing it up. In October 2012, the Stafford House opened for tours. Now, people can visit and learn about its history.

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