Riverside Drive Historic District facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Riverside Drive Historic District
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Third Street in the district
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 Location in Kentucky
Location in the United States
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| Location | Covington, Kentucky |
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| Built | 1815 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival, Late Victorian, Georgian |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000350 |
| Added to NRHP | November 23, 1971 |
The Riverside Drive Historic District is a special area in Covington, Kentucky. It's located right where the Licking River meets the big Ohio River. This spot is directly across from Cincinnati, Ohio. It's a place full of history, with many old and beautiful buildings.
Contents
Discovering Riverside Drive's History
A Glimpse into the Past
Long ago, before Covington was even a city, this area was very important. A famous explorer named George Rogers Clark used this spot as a meeting point. He gathered his troops here for trips against Native American groups from Ohio. Later, he organized soldiers for his important campaign in Illinois.
Many people believe that the first European settlers in the greater Cincinnati area chose Riverside Drive for their homes. It quickly became a popular place to build the most impressive houses in Covington. Many of these grand homes from the early 1800s are still standing today. More than thirty buildings in this district are considered amazing examples of their building styles.
Famous Homes and People
The Riverside Drive Historic District is home to several very important buildings. One of these is the Daniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home. This was the childhood home of Daniel Carter Beard, who was the founder of the Boy Scouts of America. His home is so important that it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark.
Another special building is the Thomas Carneal House, built in 1815. This was the very first brick house in Covington. It's built in a style called Georgian, which reminds people of the famous Italian architect Andrea Palladio. This house also has a secret tunnel that leads to the Licking River. This tunnel was used to help enslaved people find freedom as part of the Underground Railroad. Many important people visited this house, including the Marquis de Lafayette, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, and Daniel Webster.
Statues Along the River
As you walk along Riverside Drive, you'll see seven bronze statues. These statues show important figures from the area's history. They are placed on riverside benches, looking very lifelike. Some of the people you can see include James Bradley, Daniel Carter Beard, John James Audubon, and Chief Little Turtle.
Gallery
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Another statue overlooks Great American Ball Park
