William Whitley House State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids William Whitley House State Historic Site |
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| Location | Lincoln, Kentucky, United States |
| Elevation | 938 ft (286 m) |
| Established | 1938 |
| Governing body | Kentucky Department of Parks |
| Website | William Whitley House State Historic Site |
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William Whitley House State Shrine
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Front of the house as it appeared in 1940
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| Nearest city | Crab Orchard, Kentucky |
| Built | 1787 |
| Architect | William Whitley |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000814 |
| Added to NRHP | April 11, 1973 |
The William Whitley House State Historic Site is a cool park located in Crab Orchard, Kentucky. It's home to the historic house of William Whitley, an early settler in Kentucky, and his wife, Esther Whitley. Esther was known for her excellent shooting skills!
The house was built like a strong fort to protect against attacks from some Native American groups. This happened sometime between 1787 and 1794. It was actually the very first brick house ever built in Kentucky. This showed a big change in the area, moving from simple log cabins to more fancy homes.
The site became part of Kentucky's park system in 1938. Local people worked hard to restore the house between 1948 and 1955, making it look great again. More land was added to the park later, including a place called Sportsman's Hill. This was the first horse racing track west of the Appalachian Mountains! Since 2019, the local government in Lincoln County has helped manage the site with help from historians.
Contents
What Makes the William Whitley House Special?
Kentucky's First Brick House
Imagine living in a time when most homes were made of logs! The William Whitley House was a big deal because it was the first house in Kentucky built with bricks. This showed that settlers were starting to build more permanent and sturdy homes. It was a sign of progress and growth in the region.
A Home Built Like a Fort
William Whitley designed his house to be very strong. It was built to protect his family from attacks. The thick brick walls and careful design made it a safe place during a time when settlers faced many dangers. It's a great example of how pioneers had to be resourceful and prepared.
Sportsman's Hill: A Racing Legend
Part of the park includes Sportsman's Hill. This was a super important spot because it hosted the first horse races west of the Appalachian Mountains. Can you imagine the excitement of those early races? It shows that even in tough pioneer times, people found ways to have fun and compete.
See also
- List of the oldest buildings in Kentucky
