Jacob Johnson House, 7300 Bardstown Road, Louisville

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS KY,56-LOUVI,31-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

The Levin Bates House is a fine example of a transitional Federal to Greek Revival style structure, as expressed in rural Jefferson County, Kentucky. It is one of few center passage, I-houses in the Fern Creek area of the county, or along Bardstown Road, an historic turnpike and important transportation route. The Levin Bates House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in PART I. HISTORICAL INFORMATION A. Physical History: 1. The Levin Bates House was constructed c. 2. No architect 3. See title search on page 11. 4. Jacob Johnson was the original owner/builder 5. The structure was originally conceived as a two-story, center passage plan house, with a one and one-half story, one room ell. 6.

The first major addition to the house, was a one story, one room, kitchen unit attached to the west (rear) wall of the main ell. This addition was probably constructed during the middle part of the century. Another later century addition consists of a one story, frame, shed style porch in the north corner of the ell and main block. This porch was enclosed with weatherboard during the century. Two other major century alterations to the house include a brick shed roofed, ^ne-room brick addition, and a brick and frame porch, both constructed along the south wall of the rear ell. Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 2) B. Historical Context: Ownership of the property on which the Levin Bates House stands, can be traced to James Guthrie.

James Guthrie was born in in Delaware, and served in the Revolutionary War before coming to Kentucky in He gained the title to acres in the Fern Creek area of Jefferson County. According to an existant deed of partition, the Guthrie holdings were divided among various family heirs in and the parcel which now contains the Levin Bates House was deeded to Sarah Guthrie, James* youngest daughter. Born in Sarah Guthrie married Jacob Johnson in Jacob was born in Indiana in a farmer and blacksmith by trade. Sarah and Jacob Johnson built the present house and were owners of the Johnson Nursery" when the Jefferson County Atlas was published.

Family tradition dates the construction of the house in but the architectural style, and mode of construction suggests a somewhat earlier date of It is possible that the construction took place over a twenty year period, with the initial phase during the first half of the century. Jacob Johnson's main income was realized through his involvement in truck farming. He owned a total of 225 acres of improved and unimproved land which he acquired through Inheritance and purchase. Jacob and Sarah Johnson's youngest daughter Sarah Margaret married Levin T, Bates in and they received ownership of the property after her father's death in The Atlas of Jefferson County, and Qldham Counties, Kentucky identified L. Bates as the owner of the property.

Little is known of the economic activity or physical composition of the Bates farm during the or as no census records for those years were located. It is known however, that all the outbuildings constructed by Jacob Johnson were still extant during the time the property was occupied by the Bates family. These include a log cabin, chicken coop, hog pen, smoke house, and log barn. Archaeological investigations revealed that Levin Bates replaced the log barn with a larger frame barn. *> Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 3) After her husbands death Sarah Guthrie lived until presumably residing with her youngest daughter and son-in- law. Sarah Margaret Bates died in and Levin Bates passed away in It was at that time ownership of the farm passed out of family hands.

At this time the property was subdivided, sold to various individuals and ceased to operate as a cohesive family-run unit. The house, and thirty acres surrounding it were eventually purchased by Edward and Marge Harding. It was during the Harding ownership that most of the alter- ations to the property took place. The property remained in their hands until purchased by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in PART II. ARCHITECTURAL INFORMATION A. General Statement: The Levin Bates House is a two-story, single pile, brick I-house structure, with a graduated one and one-half to one story brick ell. It is basically vernacular in style with transitional late Federal to Greek Revival details. 1.

Architectural Character: Although the exact date of construction is not known, the architectural detailing suggests the house was built during the second quarter of the century. The basic form of the Levin Bates House is Federal, while the entrance element and interior woodwork display Greek Revival tendencies. 2. Condition of Fabric: Although the structure has been unused for a short while, it is still very sound. Few cracks are evident in the brickwork in either the main block or ell, and the roof is without major faults. Some vandalism has occurred during the time the house has been empty. All of the mantle pieces have been removed with the exception of one (first floor, north room, main block).

The door handle and lock have been taken from the main entrance, and the Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 4) bannister and hand rail from the main staircase are no longer intact. However, the flooring and interior walls are sound, and without holes or cracks. B. Description of Interior: 1. Overall dimensions: square feet (including additions and porches). See measured floor plans, pages 2. Foundations: The main block and ell sit on a rough cut stone block foundation. In the main block and original ell, this foundation is part of a full stone basement measuring approximately seven feet in depth. Access to the basement is gained through an entrance on the southwest corner of the main block. It consists of stone steps flanking sloping stone walls.

The opening itself is capped by a jack arch in brick. 3. Walls: The main block and ell are laid in five to seven course common bond brick work. The century have no bonding pattern, laid with stretchers only. The late century frame porch is covered with sawn weatherboard. 4. Structural System: The front porch*-, which shelters the main entrance, has been altered somewhat by the replacement of original wood supporting members with wrought iron supports, and iron bannistered railing. No documentation defines whether the supports were columns or wood piers. The wood cornice tends to date the porch as a century element. The century porch on the north side of the ell was probably enclosed with weatherboard during the late or early century. The original tongue and groove ceiling is extant.

*s Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No.KY-179 (Page 5) 5. Chimneys: The end chimneys in the main block are flush with the exterior walls. They are adorned with a single row of projecting bricks just below the cap. One square chimney serves both rooms in the ell. As the ell was constructed in two separate units, it is probable that the original chimney was reconstructed to serve the kitchen unit also. 6. Openings: a. The main entrance element is a strongly Greek Revival feature with a four panel door, flanked by engaged wood piers and segmented sidelights. Recessed paneled aprons support the sidelights. All of these details are capped by a simple lintel and segmented transom. A large cornice head molding strip tops the entire entrance.

All the entrances to the main block and original S ell are capped by splayed jack arches. The openings In the kitchen unit are topped by segmented arches. b. The window openings also display jack arches and wood sills. There are 6/6 lights in the openings and on the main facade, they are flanked by wood shutters. Pairs of small window openings, with no arches, flank the chimneys in the main block and original ell. 7. Roof: A simple standing seam, gable roof caps both the main block and ell. A shed style roof covers the additions which flank the original ell. The century addition on the south wall of the kitchen unit has a slightly sloping roof covered in asbestos siding. w' Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 6) b.

The main block displays a simple, two row corbeled brick cornice. No corbeling adorns the cornice of the ell. Both the original segment and the kitchen unit display a simple wood cornice board only. The enclosed frame porch (north side, ell) boasts a box cornice. C. Description of Interior: 1. Floor plans: Please see attached measured drawings on pages a. The first floor of the main block consists of a main entrance hall flanked by two relatively square rooms. The hall measures approximately. 8 by 18 feet and supports the main staircase located along the north wall. The stair is without bannisters and hand railing, which have been removed. -> The two flanking rooms are basically identical. They measure approximately 15 x 19 and are each served by a single fireplace opening.

The fireplaces are flanked by shallow cupboards which appear to be original. One closet, in the northwest corner of the south parlor, is a new addition. The hall leads into the main room of the original ell, which measures about 17 x 17 feet. It is also served by a chimney, which also opens into the kitchen unit beyond. A unit of new shelving was installed along the south wall of the first room in the ell. Abutting the south wall "of this room is a brick century kitchen and bath unit. To the north is the century, enclosed frame porch. The century kitchen unit was attached to the west wall of the original ell. It shares a chimney with the previously mentioned room. Directly south of the kitchen is another separate century brick addition. Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 7) b.

The second floor is basically a mirror image of the first with the exception of the kitchen unit. It consists of the main stair hall flanked by two rooms to the north and south. Directly west, off the stair landing, is the second level of the ell. A portion of the second floor main hall has been enclosed to form a bathroom. 2. Stairways: The stair in the main hall provides the only access to the second level. It is a simple unadorned element, and the original bannistered hand railing has been removed. 3. Walls and Ceilings: The interior wall covering is plaster and is basically intact throughout the structure, with few cracks. In some areas, there are some layers of wallpaper, and it appears that efforts were being made to remove those.

.The ceilings are also plaster, and free from inclusions. 4. Openings: The interior door openings are framed with a simple molding, similar to that of the baseboard. This trim consists of a plain board capped by a recessed, then projecting molding strip. The entry doors themselves are four panel, raised cross piece, type. The exception to this appears in the kitchen, which displays vertical board and batten type doors. Shallow cupboards flank the mantles in the main block, displaying the same molding as do the other doors. Access is gained to the interior through double, raised panel doors, which open from the center.

The interior main entrance element is a mirror image of the exterior, with segmented transom, sidelights and paneled aprons, A simple lintel and side pieces separate these elements. The molding Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 8) surrounding the entrance is identical to that trimming the other interior openings. The window openings are basically simple, with the same previously described trim as the doors. 5. Mantles: The one extant mantle piece (north room, first floor, main block), although simple leans toward the Greek Revival in style. It consists of an unadorned frieze flanked by broad pilasters. These members support a plain, unbroken mantle shelf. The fireplace opening is approximately 2 1/2 to 3 feet deep. The hearth area has been covered with century tile. 6.

Mechanical equipment a. The structure has been centrally heated with a gas furnace located in the cellar. Floor vents had been placed throughout the house. b. The structure had been wired for electricity and outlets had been installed throughout the house. c. New plumbing facilities were installed in the brick addition on the south side of the original ell, and in the second floor hallway. A new kitchen and bath were located in the first floor addition. A second bath unit was located in the second floor hallway enclosure. D. Site: 1. The Levin Bates House sits approximately 150 feet west of Bardstown Road in Southern Jefferson County. The house faces the east.

The original entrance from the main road came from the southeast, but was changed over the years to a more direct route from the east. The house was given protection from the heavily traveled road by a large number of trees and heavy undergrowth in the front yard area. The same could be said for Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No.KY-179 (Page 9) the domestic areas to the south and west of the house. The only cleared area was located directly north of the structure. This may have been part of the cultivation area used by the family. 2. None of the original outbuildings are extant. Some of the buildings constructed by either the Johnson or Bates families included: a log cabin, log barn, a (later) frame barn, chicken coop, hog pen, and smoke house.

Remnants of a hand dug well have also been located. PART III. SOURCES OF INFORMATION A.

Source document Quoted word for word from HABS KY,56-LOUVI,31-. Not written, edited or summarised by this site.

Jefferson County Deed Books, County Clerk's Office, Jefferson County Courthouse, Louisville, Kentucky. Beers and Lanagan, Atlas of Jefferson and Oldham Counties, Kentucky, Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Transportation, Division of Environmental Analysis. Historic and Cultural Analysis, Jefferson Freeway, Levin Bates House, unpublished report, April 25, Jeffries, Richard, and Nancy O'Malley. Research design and mitigation proposal report, Levin Bates House, unpublished report to the Kentucky Heritage Council, May 20, Jefferson County Multiple Resource Nomination for the National Register of Historic Places. Prepared by the Jefferson County Office of Historic Preservation and Archives, August 9, Prepared by: Jayne C.

Henderson Senior Historian Kentucky Transportation Cabinet July 3, Jacob Johnson/Levin Bates House HABS No. (Page 10) PART IV. PROJECT INFORMATION The Jefferson Freeway Project envisions a thirty-four mile circumferential belt line to the south and east of Louisville, Kentucky. The freeway will extend from US south of Louisville to US 42 slightly north and east of the city*s boundary. The project will be a four-lane facility with provisions for ultimate upgrading to six lanes. The Levin Bates House is located at Bardstown Road, approximately ten miles southwest of Louisville. The house sits at the proposed interchange of the Jefferson Freeway and Bardstown Road.

HABS NO.KY-175 Page No.11 Title Search Original and Subsequent Owners: Part IA3 Jefferson County Deed Books, County Clerks Office Jefferson County Courthouse, Louisville, Kentucky No recorded deeds of the transfer of the original land could be located. However, a deed of partition shows that James Guthrie was the original owner of the property. At his death in the property was divided among his children, with his youngest daughter, Sarah Guthrie Johnson,and her husband, Jacob Johnson,receiving 122 1/2 acres. It appears that they build the present structure ca. Jacob died in and another deed of partition shows the house going to his youngest daughter, Sarah Margaret, and her husband, Levin T. Bates.

This transaction was not recorded in the deed books, but subsequent purchases of land from other Johnson siblings were found. Deed, January 5, recorded in Volume Page William and May R. Johnson, Jacob Johnson, and Moses Johnson to Levin T. Bates and Sarah M. Bates. Deed, January 20, recorded in Volume Page Moses Johnson to Levin T. Bates. Deed, January 26, recorded Volume Page Jacob Johnson to Levin T. Bates. Deed, August 17, recorded in Volume Page James H. Bates, trustee, to Watson G., and C. Willa Caudill. Deed, March 13, recorded in Volume Page Watson G. and C. Willa Caudill to Madge Caudill. Deed, November 13, recorded in Volume Page Madge Caudill to Edward and Madge Harding. Deed, February 7, recorded in Volume Page Edward H. Harding to Edward H. Harding, and Helen Harding.

Deed, July 9, recorded in Volume Page Edward H. and Helen Harding to Commonwealth of Kentucky. Page No.12 Jnted States Department of the Interior HISTORIC AMERICAN BUILDINGS SURVEY Vashington. DC ARCHITECTURAL DATA FORM STATE COUNTY TOWN OR VICINITY Kentucky Jefferson Louisville HISTORIC NAME OF STRUCTURE ( NCLUDE SOURCE FOR NAME) HABS NO. Jacob Johnson or Levin T. Bates House (Johnson was original owner$ SECONDARY OR COMMON NAMES OF STRUCTURE COMPLETE ADDRESS (DESCRIBE LOCATION FOR RURAL SITES) Bardstown Road, Louisville, Kentucky DATE OF CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDE SQURCEJ ARCHITECTS) (INCLUDE SOURCE) c. SIGNIFICANCE (ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORICAL,

Include Original

Ubt Uh SlKUWUKt) The Levin Bates House is a fine example of a transitional Federal to Greek Revival style structure, as expressed in rural Jefferson County, Kentucky. It is one of few center passage, I-houses in the Fern Creek area of the county, or along Bardstown Road, an historic turnpike and important transportation route. The Levin Bates house was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in STYLE (IF APPROPRIATE) Transitional late Federal to Greek Revival MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION (INCLUDE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS) Hand laid masonry supported by cut stone basement and foundation. All interior framing is wood. SHAPE AND DIMENSIONS OF STRUCTURE (SKETCHED FLOOR PLANS ON SEPARATE PAGES ARE ACCEPTABLE) Two story, five bay, I-house form with graduated one and one-half to one story ell.

EXTERIOR FEATURES OF NOTE Red brick. Facing is laid in five to seven course common bond. The main elevations boast a corbeled brick cornice. All openings on the main block and ell are capped by jack arches. The main entrance element is Greek Revival in style. NTERIOR FEATURES OF NOTE (DESCRIBE FLOOR PLANS, IF NOT SKETCHED) The main entrance surround is Greek Revival with lintels, side piers, transom and sidelights. The one remaining mantle piece is also Greek Revival. MAJOR ALTERATIONS AND ADDITIONS WITH DATES Late century/a frame porch was added to the north side of original ell. Later enclosed with weather board. century/two, one story brick additions on the south side of ell.

Present Condition and Use

Fair condition, beginning deterioration. The building has been vacant for two years. Plans for its removal to another site are eminent. OTHER INFORMATION AS APPROPRIATE Documentation for this structure was prepared by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Environmental Analysis, in compliance with a Memorandum of Agreement with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and Executive Order SOURCES OF INFORMATION (INCLUDE LISTING ON NATIONAL REGISTER, STATE REGISTERS, ETC.) -National Register of Historic Places, Jefferson County, Multiple Resources Nomination, -Jefferson County Office of Historic Preservation and Archives University of Kentucky Office of Archaeology COMPILER,

Affiliation Date

Jayne C. Henderson Senior Historian , , -, . Division or Environmental Analysis Kentucky Transportation Ohinet July, \ifi 5 /Vo, KV- /7^ Page 13 FIRST FLOOR PLAN OF THE LEVIN BATES HOUSE BARDSTOWN RD. LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY M JO Hfi&S No.KV-l?f Page 14 SHELVE* SHetves FtfiEPlACe SHLVfi 51 no [] /a.e' SECOND FLOOR PLAN OF THE LEVIN BATES HOUSE 73OO BARDS TOWN RD. LOUISVIL L , KENTUCK Y