St. James-Belgravia Historic District
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| St. James-Belgravia Historic District | |
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| (U.S. Registered Historic District) | |
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| Location: | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Architect: | Unknown |
| Architectural style(s): | Late 19th And Early 20th Century American Movements, Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals |
| Added to NRHP: | December 05, 1972 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 72000538 |
| Governing body: | Local |
The St. James-Belgravia Historic District, within Old Louisville, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. It comprises St. James Court (north) and the Belgravia Court (south). It was the site of the Southern Exposition, along with the Central Park to its north. Every year, the St. James Court Art Show takes place in the district. The Belgravia area features houses inspired by its namesake in London, England, and has no immediate street access, as it is a "walking court" with a green area instead of a street where the main entrances face.[2] [3] It features two important houses: the Conrad-Caldwell House, and the Landward House.
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[edit] Conrad-Caldwell House
The Conrad-Caldwell House, once nicknamed "Conrad's Folly", was built 1893 by Arthur Loomis for Theophilus Conrad, who attained his money in the tanning business, and his family. After Conrad died on February 13, 1905, William E. Caldwell bought it, and called it their home for 35 years. In 1947 the local Presbyterian church acquired it, and for the next forty years it was the Rose Anna Hughes Presbyterian Retirement Home.[4] [5]
This building's style is Richardsonian Mansion. Made of limestone, it cost $35,000 to build. Its vertical framework comes from its heavy corner towers features and turrets that are one of three shapes: coned, hexagonal, and pyramid shaped. Randomly placed on the building are carving of animals, gargoyles, and other objects, fenestration, and intricate foliation. As fitting for a house to receive members of society in the Victorian Era, the interior features marble mantled fireplaces, stained-glass windows, high ceilings in parlors and dining rooms, with carved arched doorways leading the way into these rooms from the reception hall with its large staircase. The interior woodwork is comprised of cherry, maple, and oak.[6] [7]
The St. James Court Historic Foundation has controlled the building since 1987, and uses it for a museum.
[edit] Landward House
The Landward House is a brick Italianate mansion with a limestone facade and projected entrance. There are 22 rooms and six bathrooms in this three-story building. Dr. Stuart Robinson used the mansion as his office. The garden was created by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1929. The tertiary garden features a vegetable garden, a labyrinth garden, and an informal side garden. A landscape-architecture firm uses its carriage house for its office.[8] It was separately placed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 20, 1973.
[edit] References
- ^ National Register Information System. National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service (2007-01-23).
- ^ Old Louisville's beautiful Belgravia Court
- ^ St. James Court and the St. James Court Art Show
- ^ Conrad-Caldwell House
- ^ Kleber, John E. Encyclopedia of Louisville. (University of Kentucky Press). pg.218.
- ^ Luhan , Gregory. Louisville Guide. (Princeton Architectural Press, 2004) 240, 241
- ^ Kleber 218
- ^ Luhan 237, 238
[edit] External links
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