Old Closson House, Closson Court & Ringold Streets, Ludlow

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS KY,59-LUDLO,1-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Closson Court, Ludlow, Kenton County, Kentucky Ov/ner or Masonic Temple custodian Trustees: R. F, White and R. J, Waite Address,; Lud1ow, Ke n t uc ky Date built; (approx) Architect or "builder; Hot known. Present condition: Good; in need of minor repairs. # Number of stories; One and a half story; also basement. Material used Foundation: Brick. in construction; Exterior walls: Brick. Interior partitions; Brick and frame, plastered. Floors: Wood, tongue and groove white pine, six and seven-inch widths, laid alternately. Roof: Wood shingles; standing seam tin, and composition shingles. Description: This house was built about for Simon architectural Kenton, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as a and historical summer home, but he lived there only a few years, disposing of the place to Mr.

Henry Jenkins, of Cincinnati, it is said. The original plot of ground ran north to the Ohio River in terraces; the front of the house faced the river, and there were rose bushes planted along each side of the walk all the way to the river. 5^- Lu-e to. 3 The plan of the house is typical of many of the early Kentucky residences, having a large central hall flanked on each side by two large rooms and entered from the hall. When the main front of the house, which was on the river side, became the rear of the house as a result of the city street improvements, it is "believed that the main stairs wesechanged so as to land near the entrance opposite the river side, thus requiring a landing mid-way between the first and second floor, making a rather unusual arrangement.

To bear out this assumption, there are butt joints In the flooring near the entrance on the river side, indicating that the stairs \wera'originally one straight flight, or run, from the first to the second floor. The space under the landing is enclosed by solid paneling, forming closet spaces. The plaster cornice in the main hall and some of the first floor rooms, as well as the Interior trim, although very simple In detail, is designed in the Greek Revival style and has Interesting character. There are also on the celling of the main hall and some of the first floor rooms cast plaster ornaments. m The main entrance is carried out in Greek Revival style; is rather Interesting although very simple In detail. Ifr^L^l