West Fourth Street Historic District (Maysville, Kentucky) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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West Fourth Street District
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Residence at 33 W. Fourth Street
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| Location | 24, 29, 31, 32, 33 W. 4th St. Maysville, Kentucky |
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| Architect | Multiple |
| Architectural style | various |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000896 |
| Added to NRHP | November 7, 1974 |
The West Fourth Street District is a special area in Maysville, Kentucky. It's like a small neighborhood with five old houses that are important because of their history and unique style. These homes are located on Fourth Street, between Market and Sutton Streets. They show us what buildings looked like a long time ago.
Discovering the West Fourth Street District
This historic district is a cool place to learn about the past. It's called a "district" because it's a group of buildings that share a common history or style. These five houses are all made of brick and have a special look called Greek Revival style.
What Makes These Houses Special?
The houses in the West Fourth Street District don't have a lot of fancy decorations on the outside. But they do have some interesting features! You might notice "parapets" and "stepped gables."
- Parapets: These are low walls that stick up above the roofline. Think of them like a short fence at the very top edge of the building.
- Stepped Gables: Imagine the end wall of a house, shaped like a triangle. A "stepped gable" means this triangle shape looks like a set of stairs going up the side.
These unique features, the parapets and stepped gables, were often used by German immigrants. Many German families settled in river towns like Maysville. That's why you see these styles here, even though they are not common in other parts of Kentucky.
When Were These Homes Built?
All five houses in the West Fourth Street District were built a long time ago, between 1840 and 1850. That means they are over 170 years old!
- Two of the houses, known as the Ficklin House and the Bierbower House, were built around 1840.
- The homes at 33 and 31 West Fourth Street are "row houses." This means they are built right next to each other, sharing walls. We know that 33 West Fourth Street was definitely standing by 1847.
- The house at 29 West Fourth Street was built a little later, in 1849.
These houses give us a glimpse into what life was like in Maysville in the mid-1800s.
