Keene Springs Hotel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Keene Springs Hotel
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Keene, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1841 |
| NRHP reference No. | 84001636 |
| Added to NRHP | 5 July 1984 |
The Keene Springs Hotel is a large, two-story building in Keene, Kentucky. It was built in 1841 by Mason Singleton, Jr. and his wife Nancy. This old hotel was a popular place for people to visit. They came to enjoy the nearby natural springs, which were thought to have healing powers.
During the 1840s and 1850s, many people from Lexington, Kentucky, came to the hotel. They hoped to escape outbreaks of a serious sickness called cholera. The Singletons ran the hotel until 1857. After the American Civil War, fewer tourists traveled. The hotel was then used as a boarding house and later as a general store. Today, the Keene Springs Hotel is privately owned. A restaurant operates there a few days a week, and the building is being restored. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 5, 1984.
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A Look Back: The Hotel's Story
The Keene Springs Hotel has a long history. It played an important part in the growth of Jessamine County from the 1820s to the 1870s. Mason Singleton, Jr. and his wife Nancy built the hotel to welcome travelers. The main part of the building was designed in the Greek Revival style. This style was popular for its grand and classic look. Later, more rooms were added to the building.
A Popular Getaway Spot
In the 1840s and 1850s, the hotel became a popular place for people from Lexington. It was a great spot for a relaxing trip. Around 1848, white sulphur springs were discovered nearby. This made the hotel even more popular. Visitors believed the spring water had special health benefits. The hotel was one of many places built to house tourists and business travelers. These travelers used the main roads in the county. Captain G. L. Postlethwait was known as a very friendly host at the hotel.
Escaping Sickness
In the 1800s, there were often outbreaks of serious diseases like cholera. These diseases spread easily, especially through dirty water. During the cholera outbreaks of 1848–1849 and the early 1850s, many people left Lexington. They went to places like the Keene Springs Hotel. They hoped to avoid getting sick in the crowded city. At that time, people did not fully understand how cholera spread.
Changes Over Time
In 1857, the Singletons sold the hotel to A. McTyre. They then moved to Texas. After the American Civil War, the hotel was no longer a popular resort. So, in 1868, McTyre sold it to F.S. Wilson. For many years, the building was used as a boarding house. It was known as The Maples because of the trees in front.
In the 1900s, the Wilson family used the building as their home. They also ran a general store on the ground floor, called Wilson's. It was a place where men from the community would meet. They would do business and share stories. The building is still owned by the Wilson family today.
Historic Recognition
The Keene Springs Hotel is recognized as an important historic site in Kentucky. There is a highway marker, #1671, in front of it on KY 1267. This road is also known as Keene-Troy Pike. The hotel is located at the corner of KY 1267 and Kentucky Route 169. On July 5, 1984, the hotel was officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a special place that is important to the history of the United States.
