Allenhurst (Scott County, Kentucky)
Encyclopedia
Allenhurst, also known as Oakland, is an historic site located in Scott County, Kentucky
west of Georgetown
on Cane Run Pike. The Greek Revival house, designed by Thomas Lewinski
, was built in 1850. The property was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
on April 2, 1973.
According to local legend
, as recounted by Ann Bolton in A History of Scott County as Told by Selected Buildings (1989), Craig called on his cousin to act as contractor for construction of the mansion. Newton Craig, superintendent of the state penitentiary, had the house built by convict labor. The superintendent earned $21,826 and the state $37,899 in the transaction.
H.C. Allen, known for developing the first American Aberdeen Angus cattle herd, purchased the property and renamed it Allenhurst.
s of the Greek Revival style. The exterior of the structure exhibits one of the most complete uses of the temple-style facade in Central Kentucky. The pillared house has a two-story high portico
with four columns, and fluted Doric
columns paired on each side of central entrance. The temple-style design features "triple windows set under stone lintels that are repeated even on the basement level."
A pillared smokehouse with a hipped roof is located north of the great house
.
Scott County, Kentucky
Scott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Georgetown.Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
west of Georgetown
Georgetown, Kentucky
Georgetown is a city in Scott County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,098 at the 2010 census. The original settlement of Lebanon, founded by Rev. Elijah Craig, was renamed in 1790 in honor of President George Washington. It is the home of Georgetown College, a private liberal arts...
on Cane Run Pike. The Greek Revival house, designed by Thomas Lewinski
Thomas Lewinski
[File:Ashland HC.JPG|right|thumb|Ashland, the [[Henry Clay]] plantationThomas Lewinski was an architect in Kentucky. Born in England, he had immigrated to the United States. For his work at Allenhurst and elsewhere, Thomas Lewinski was known in his day as one of the leading architects of the Greek...
, was built in 1850. The property was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on April 2, 1973.
History
In 1837, William G. and Polly Craig acquired property west of Georgetown in Scott County, Kentucky from William Suggett, Polly's father. Craig was a Baptist minister and faculty member at Georgetown College. He constructed a Greek Revival mansion on the land in 1850 and called it Oakland.According to local legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
, as recounted by Ann Bolton in A History of Scott County as Told by Selected Buildings (1989), Craig called on his cousin to act as contractor for construction of the mansion. Newton Craig, superintendent of the state penitentiary, had the house built by convict labor. The superintendent earned $21,826 and the state $37,899 in the transaction.
H.C. Allen, known for developing the first American Aberdeen Angus cattle herd, purchased the property and renamed it Allenhurst.
Architecture
Allenhurst was designed by Thomas Lewinski, known as one of the leading architectArchitect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
s of the Greek Revival style. The exterior of the structure exhibits one of the most complete uses of the temple-style facade in Central Kentucky. The pillared house has a two-story high portico
Portico
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls...
with four columns, and fluted Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
columns paired on each side of central entrance. The temple-style design features "triple windows set under stone lintels that are repeated even on the basement level."
A pillared smokehouse with a hipped roof is located north of the great house
Great house
A great house is a large and stately residence; the term encompasses different styles of dwelling in different countries. The name refers to the makeup of the household rather than to any particular architectural style...
.