"Arena Block", Jefferson

Louisville's "Arena Block" is the block slated for development of a downtown multipurpose arena according to the 2000 Downtown Louisville Development Plan. With the opening of 4th Street Live! and current construction of the Marriott hotel in adjacent blocks, it is certain that development will soon occur in this block. A plan is needed to save the historic resources located along South Third Street and Muhammad Ali Blvd. The Odd Fellows Hall, the former Louisville Water Company, Falls City Theater Equipment Company, and the Morrissey Parking garage are each important structures that will certainly be compromised in the development of this block. Louisville Metro government should take this opportunity to plan for the preservation of these structures in order to avoid controversy such as that surrounding the recent demolition of the Briny-Hardy complex.

General Gabriel, Fleming

This building in Flemingsburg has flanked the historic hub of the city since the early 19th century. The two-story, five bay, Federal style brick structure was first a residence but functioned as a hospital during the 1833 cholera epidemic. Later it war a seminary, hotel, funeral home and an antique shop. The building has deteriorated and will require substantial restoration effort.

The Fleming County Fiscal Court, owners of the property since early 2004, recently sold it to The Kentucky trust for Historic Preservation, despite an earlier rejection to their offer. The Trust plans to stabilize the building and remove structurally unsound additions. Plans are to then find a buyer who could continue the restoration efforts. Residents historians, and preservationists rejoice in the Fleming county fiscal Court's decision to sell the property to buyers who will preserve the property.

Goodman House, Franklin

Frankfort's "Historic Corner in Celebrities" District was one of the first ares in the nation to be protected by local ordnances and the first National Register Historic District in Kentucky.

Built circa 1820, Goodman House originally had a music shop on the first floor with a residence upstairs. Later additions to the back of the house were removed in 2001, leaving the structure open to the elements, and the space has since been devoted to parking. Claiming lack of funds to rehabilitate the structure, the Fiscal Court had since put the house up for public sale twice, yet all bids were refused.
On August 20, 2004, Franklin County Fiscal Court agreed to solicit bids for repair of the building. Hopefully, his latest effort will show results or the Goodman House will soon become the street's first "missing tooth."

Governors Corner, Logan

Four historic homes, each listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stand at each corner of the intersection of State Route 431 and US 79 in Russellville, Kentucky. The Crittenden House (1809) once belonged o the state's 15th Governor, John J. Crittenden. The Presley O'Bannon House (1812) was home to Lt. Presley O'Bannon, the first American to plant our flag in foreign soil. The Wallace House (1811) operated as a stagecoach inn and tavern. Courts Hall (1890) is important in local history and is a well-preserved example of a Queen Anne style residence.
Current threats to Governors Corner result from several factors, including large trucks that cause vibrations and emissions which can damage these homes. The narrow turns are difficult and drivers frequently pass dangerously close to these structures. A bypass is available but it stops short of access to 421 South. A fix for the bypass has been slated but funding has not been made available.

Red River Gorge, Powell, Menifee, Wolfe

In May 2004, a portion of the Red River Gorge was added to the National Register of Historic Places, acknowledging the significant prehistoric archaeological artifacts, built history, and scenic landscapes extant to this part of Kentucky.

With over 200,000 visitors each year, cultural and historical resources in the gorge often suffer from continuous disturbance and destruction. One disheartening example was the destruction of a turn-of-the-century hand-hewn log structure which was erected under a rock shelter for the purpose of holding oxen and mules. Documented in 2001, the structure has been dismantled for firewood. Looting has resulted in significant loses to archaeological resources. Proposed solutions include increasing awareness of the significance of the available historic fabric to the Forest Service and the general public. In addition this action, eh establishment of a voluntary stewardship program charged with locating and maintaining these resources is considered crucial by many local conservation organizations. The federal government owns the Red River Gorge on behalf of the public, but Kentuckians will have to work together to protect it.

Tobacco Barns, Statewide

Kentucky tobacco barns are perhaps the most widely recognized agricultural buildings in he state. They have been important to the national tobacco economy since the settlement period. Once burley tobacco was introduced to the central Bluegrass region in the 1860's, he now-familiar barn type was developed for air curing - an H-frame gabled structure with vertical side vents. he burley barn became synonymous with Kentucky tobacco and was dubbed the "Kentucky Tobacco Barn" sometime in the 1870's.

Today, tobacco barns are disappearing from our landscape statewide, caught in the cross-fire of development or abandoned. Some are disassembled, relocated and re-used in other capacities of agriculture. With changes in family farms that will accompany the tobacco buyout, coupled with the potential for reductions in tobacco production, these Kentucky landmarks will have to be adaptively reused in order to survive and continue to contribute to the Commonwealth.

Waveland (Willis Green House), Boyle

Named for its undulating terrain, Waveland is an example of late Georgian architecture in Kentucky and is renowned for its interior woodwork, which emulates designs from William Pain’s 1792 Pattern Book. Also known as the Willis Green House, this two-story, five bay, brick residence was built circa 1800. It is situated a few miles south of the city of Danville on several hundred acres of land that Willis Green selected after coming to Kentucky in 1782 as a surveyor. Green had substantial influence over the political development of the region.

Selected as one the Blue Grass Trust’s Most Endangered Structures in 2002, the residence is vacant and is suffering from neglect and repeated vandalism. Outbuildings associated with the house have been lost over time, including the original kitchen, slave quarters, and smokehouse. Waveland also served as the topic of a winning student essay in the 2003 Photo-Essay Competition sponsored by Preservation Kentucky and the Kentucky Heritage Council. Currently, interest exists in purchasing the house and remaining property. Hopefully, the funding which is available will match the owner’s expectations of the value so that this architectural treasure of early Kentucky can be saved.

West Point Independent Colored School, Hardin

In 1912, Julius Rosenwald, CEO of Sears, Roebuck & Co., partnered with Booker T. Washington to foster his dream of educating African- Americans throughout the South; this vision was carried out through the creation of a matching funding source, known as the Rosenwald Fund. After 20 years, the resulting monies had built 5,357 schools, homes, and shops in 15 states. Many of these schools were closed in the years following the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision amidst federally mandated integration. Of the 155 Rosenwald Schools built in Kentucky from 1917-1932, the West Point Independent Colored School (ca.1926) was one of three erected in Hardin County.

Although the building has suffered severe damage from excessive flooding over the years, the limestone block foundation has provided reasonable stability. Hard at work to rescue this historic landmark is Fruits of Change Inc. This organization consists of 25 former West Point students who raised enough money to purchase the building in November 2003 but were unsuccessful in obtaining the property on which it rests. In limbo, the current threats facing this piece of history are largely due to the lack of required funding to relocate, stabilize and restore this structure. It is estimated that only 35% of Kentucky’s historic Rosenwald projects still stand.

WPA Schools, Statewide

WPA schools were constructed by local laborers during the New Deal era of the 1930s. Construction methods, materials and design varied in each county, making each building unique to its location. WPA schools are threatened at an increasing rate due to abandonment, neglect or development pressures. Many former WPA schools are located on now private property. Often, landowners do not have the means to maintain the buildings, and yet others have no desire. To determine the degree to which these structures are endangered, the Kentucky Heritage Council recently surveyed WPA schools for the East Kentucky New Deal Study.

The study found that in some counties up to 70 % of the original WPA schools have been demolished in some areas. The Whitley City Elementary School in McCreary county, pictured above, stands as an example of the kind of threat these schools face. This two-story, thirteen room schoolhouse, made from locally quarried stone. A new school was recently built and plans made to move the children to the new facility. There are currently no plans for the future use of this building.

Back to 2004 Most Endangered List