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South Cherry Street Historic District (Greenville, Kentucky) facts for kids

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South Cherry Street Historic District
Greenville KY Duncan Cultural Center.jpg
Thistle Cottage at 122 South Cherry Street
South Cherry Street Historic District (Greenville, Kentucky) is located in Kentucky
South Cherry Street Historic District (Greenville, Kentucky)
Location in Kentucky
South Cherry Street Historic District (Greenville, Kentucky) is located in the United States
South Cherry Street Historic District (Greenville, Kentucky)
Location in the United States
Location Roughly bounded by S. Cherry, Hopkinsville, W. Main Cross and N. Cherry Sts., Greenville, Kentucky
Area 11.5 acres (4.7 ha)
Architectural style Greek Revival, Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, Beaux-Arts, Bungalow, Gothic, Romanesque
MPS Greenville Kentucky MRA
NRHP reference No. 85001905
Added to NRHP August 15, 1985

The South Cherry Street Historic District is a special area in Greenville, Kentucky. It's mostly found along the 100 block of South Cherry Street. This district is known for its many old and important homes.

There are twenty-three buildings in the district. Eighteen of these buildings are called "contributing buildings." This means they are important to the history of the area. The first house here was built in 1842 by Jonathan Short.

In the 1840s and 1850s, more houses were built. Cherry Street became a popular place for rich business owners to live. These early homes were built in a simple Greek Revival style. This style often uses elements from ancient Greek buildings.

Growth and New Styles

After 1871, Greenville's economy grew a lot. This meant more money and more building. Many new homes were added to the district. These newer houses often showed off the Colonial Revival and Queen Anne styles.

In the 1890s, two churches were built in the area. One was the Colored Baptist Church, built in the Gothic Revival style. The other was the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, built in the Romanesque Revival style.

Family Rivalry and Grand Homes

In the early 1900s, three more homes were built. These were part of a friendly competition between the Duncan and Wickliffe families. Each family wanted to show they were more successful than the other.

In 1907, the Duncan family built a Queen Anne style home at 117 South Cherry. The next year, the Wickliffe family built a large Beaux-Arts house at 112 Hopkinsville Street. This house cost about $8,000 to build.

The Duncans then built an even grander home. They built Thistle Cottage at 122 South Cherry Street. This house cost about $10,000. It had beautiful wooden details and stained glass windows.

Later Homes and Preservation

Between 1910 and 1930, even more houses were built. Most of these were Colonial Revival homes or bungalows. After 1930, not many new buildings were added. This means the district is still full of historic homes.

The South Cherry Street Historic District was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 15, 1985. This helps protect its history.

Images for kids

  • Photos from the NRHP nomination
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